The Wall Street reform bill could get a final vote in the Senate as early as this evening. Senate Democrats garnered 60 votes this morning in a procedural vote that pushes the bill toward a final vote. The bill, which gives consumers protection and developed a process for dealing with troubled large banks, has been in the works since 2009. Read more.

Bravo Greater Des Moines has announced the recipients of up to $2.2. million in grants for arts and cultural programs in Greater Des Moines. A total of 56 organizations received money from the group. The groups receiving the most money are:

• Blank Park Zoo Foundation $440,000

• Civic Center of Greater Des Moines $308,000

• Science Center of Iowa $214,102

• Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center $195,000

• Edmundson Art Foundation $192,000

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking public comment on the U.S. proxy system, in an effort to make the system more transparent and beneficial for shareholders. “The proxy is often the principal means for shareholders and public companies to communicate with one another, and for shareholders to weigh in on issues of importance to the corporation,” said Mary Schapiro, chairman of the commission, in a statement.

Community benefits provided by Iowa hospitals in 2009 are estimated to be worth $1.2 billion, according to a survey of the state’s 118 hospitals by the Iowa Hospital Association. Benefits are intended to improve health-care access and public health through programs like health screenings, counseling, immunizations and nutritional services. In 2009, uncompensated care for those who couldn’t pay rose by 12 percent in Iowa.

Although hot days like Wednesday may not be the most enjoyable, higher temperatures are helping one sector of the U.S. economy. Economists expected a drop in industrial output in June, but warmer weather likely helped increase output with a higher demand for utilities. But, while utility output rose 2.7 percent, manufacturing output dropped 0.4 percent. Read more.

Lower energy and food prices spurred a drop in wholesale prices in June. Economists predict that the European debt crisis and a stronger U.S. dollar will keep inflation down, Bloomberg reported. Read more.

BP plc is expected to move forward this morning with a test of a new cap the company is hoping will stop the oil flow that has been spilling into the Gulf of Mexico since April. BP will shut off valves to the new cap to test if it will hold pressure from the well. Read more.

ESPN honored the family of former Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas Wednesday night during the annual ESPY Awards. Thomas was shot and killed last year by Mark Becker. The Thomas family received the Arthur Ashe Award for courage and for showing compassion toward Becker’s family members, who were in the audience Wednesday night. Thomas’ son Aaron accepted the award. To see the acceptance speech, click here.