Category Archives: Iowa Miscellaneous

Feb 04

The Casey’s that don’t sell pizza

Posted on Monday, February 4, 2013, at 10:05 AM by Jeff

Believe it or not, these exist. However, they all have something in common: They were not constructed as Casey’s gas stations. I have now run across two of them. One is a former HandiMart at the I-80 US 151 exit. … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on The Casey’s that don’t sell pizza
Feb 01

I-80 needed a snow day

Posted on Friday, February 1, 2013, at 10:21 PM by Jeff

Between Des Moines and Iowa City on Friday morning, after Wednesday night’s snow and Thursday’s wind, I counted the following in the ditch: 17 semis (including three at the Colfax exit), 15 passenger vehicles (including one that skidded at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on I-80 needed a snow day
Jan 31

They’re not ‘Basic Skills’ anymore

Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 2:20 PM by Jeff

A longtime component of everybody’s schooling in Iowa changed last year. They’re no longer the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills or the Iowa Tests of Educational Development. They are now the “Iowa Assessments.” The change happened last school year, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on They’re not ‘Basic Skills’ anymore
Jan 14

Factoids about 2013-14 Iowa Legislature

Posted on Monday, January 14, 2013, at 10:19 AM by Jeff

No particular theme here, just some random pieces. All links are to PDF maps and district descriptions are approximations. Big state map (PDF) City insets (PDF) 55 House districts are smaller than the basic “4×4” county (572 square miles). So … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Factoids about 2013-14 Iowa Legislature
Jan 08

KCCI changed its graphics today

Posted on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at 10:10 PM by Jeff

Noted for posterity. This is a timed post.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on KCCI changed its graphics today
Jan 06

Iowa high on Senate seniority chart

Posted on Sunday, January 6, 2013, at 9:44 AM by Jeff

Roll Call has published a list of the 113th Congress organized by seniority for both the Senate and House. Chuck Grassley is in sixth place (up from 11th in 2009) and now the only senator left who was originally elected … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Iowa high on Senate seniority chart
Dec 18

Pull out the rabbit ears, again

Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at 10:13 PM by Jeff

KCRG and Dish Network have been unable to agree on a retransmission charge. The signal was cut off at noon. The station’s 9.2 subchannel is also an issue. (Yes, I am aware that pulling out rabbit ears doesn’t work anymore. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Pull out the rabbit ears, again
Dec 08

A notable change

Posted on Saturday, December 8, 2012, at 9:54 PM by Jeff

KLTI-FM (104.1) in Des Moines is a Christmas music station this year. KDAT-FM (104.5) and KCVM (93.5, formerly 96.1) are still “holiday” music. What hasn’t been dialed down, though, is the start date. I had heard all three versions of … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on A notable change
Dec 05

Iowa family* discontinuing print Christmas newsletter

Posted on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at 1:08 AM by Jeff

From The Onion. This (fictional) family is behind the times — we (and by we I mean Mom) (unintentionally) did that a decade ago! (h/t Romenesko) (End gratuitous use of parentheses.)

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Iowa family* discontinuing print Christmas newsletter
Nov 29

More changes in Crossroads Mall area

Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2012, at 8:00 AM by Jeff

First Waldenbooks closed, now this (Waterloo Courier): Members of the Waterloo Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend a site plan amendment for developers looking to tear down the former Bonanza Steakhouse restaurant at 2027 Crossroads Blvd. … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on More changes in Crossroads Mall area