DES MOINES, IOWA (August 31, 2022) — Iowa Workforce Development has been awarded $2.9 million from the US Department of Labor to make targeted improvements to several high-use services connected to unemployment insurance. The money will fund enhancements that will ultimately eliminate additional barriers, reduce backlogs, and improve the overall timeliness of unemployment payments.

BETTENDORF, IOWA (August 23, 2022) — The Quad Cities Community Foundation has named Kent Pilcher the new chairperson of its board of directors. Replacing outgoing chairperson Randy Moore, Pilcher brings nearly seven years of service to the Community Foundation, most recently as board vice chair and Investment Committee chair, and a long history of local community leadership. His term as chair will run through 2024.

DES MOINES, IOWA (August 18, 2022) — Iowa’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.5 percent in July, down from 2.6 percent in June and 4.4 percent one year ago. The US unemployment rate decreased to 3.5 percent in July.

The number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 43,300 in July from 43,900 in June. The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,667,200 in July. This figure is 1,800 higher than June and 58,600 higher than one year ago.

DES MOINES, IOWA (August 9, 2022) — As part of a continued commitment to supporting computer science education in Iowa, today Google announced a $150,000 grant to the Iowa STEM Council to help support the council’s mission to increase awareness, achievement, and interest in STEM education with students in Iowa. To highlight this and other computer science education efforts in the state, Google will host a “Coding Carnival” at the Iowa State Fair with hands-on learning opportunities.