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The Insider Notebook

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National Skills Coalition seeks to ramp up Iowa business connections

The leader of a national business group focused on closing the skills gap for American workers says it’s frustrating that funding more skills training doesn’t seem to be a top issue for any presidential candidate, …

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NOTEBOOK: What’s the buzz? Beeman leaving

By the time you read this, I will be moments away from ending my five-year run as a senior reporter and managing editor at the Business Record. 

On Monday, I start a new job at States …

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Slanted toilets are the logical extreme of hyperproductivity

American culture is all about finding efficiencies. I myself am a big fan of them. But when does it go too far? Well, according to this Atlantic piece, it’s too far when you add in special …

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NOTEBOOK: Weld: Education post would be a ‘crazy-cool opportunity’

On Thursday, a day after Drake University announced that it had recruited Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise to become the next dean of its School of Education, I happened to have the chance…
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NOTEBOOK: Catch Des Moines launches video for the seasons

Scott Siepker is back as the face of Des Moines in Catch Des Moines’ new video in the “Des Moines: The S’s are Silent” campaign. This one is “Des Moines: The S’s are Silent. Our …

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NOTEBOOK: Suicide, mental health issues affect med students

Children’s mental health was the primary topic at dsm Magazine’s Lifting the Veil panel discussion on Dec. 10. Andrew Allen, president and CEO of YSS (which provides shelter and services to youths), shared some frightening …

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NOTEBOOK: Keeping it all straight on the banking beat, Plagge by Plagge

I recently assumed coverage of the banking beat for the Business Record after my esteemed retired colleague, Kent Darr, hung up his pen earlier this year. I soon found some reminders that in a small …

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NOTEBOOK: Knapp on Ali

Knapp’s office in West Des Moines is adorned with autographed photos of the likes of basketball great Michael Jordan and boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Knapp, a huge boxing fan, saw Ali box in an exhibition …

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NOTEBOOK: Knapp on Knapp: Legacy

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of sitting down for a few moments with William C. Knapp, one of the most successful and benevolent businessmen this city has ever seen. We were talking …

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NOTEBOOK: Airport’s new concessions contracts land in the money

Des Moines International Airport decided to shake things up with its concessions arrangements the past few years, taking on more of the risk in the retail and food operations on a bet it would pay …