Women are back. Nationally, women’s employment has hit an all-time high, said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority. Durham said on July 20 during Business Publication Corp.’s Envision Iowa panel that she is still waiting on Iowa’s numbers. This Envision Iowa online discussion focused Read more…
By Nicole Grundmeier My friend witnessed a near-drowning on June 6 at Holiday Aquatic Center in West Des Moines. She watched a mother drop off three children: a boy who looked to be maybe 13, and two little girls, approximately ages 6 and 2. The teenager did the best he Read more…
My predecessor, the phenomenally talented Emily Kestel, introduced me last week as the new Business Record journalist behind the Fearless e-newsletter. I wanted to tell you more about myself, beyond the degrees and achievements – beyond what I am proud of. This is the stuff I wouldn’t put on a resume. Read more…
Three members of first Idea Accelerator Iowa City cohort study child care workforce crisis By Emily Kestel If child care workers in Iowa were given a $4 per hour pay increase, what would that give them? Breathing room. Ease of mind. A weight off their shoulders. A feeling of validation Read more…
A Closer Look: Sheri Penney, employer engagement director, Iowa Women’s Foundation By Emily Kestel Hometown: Lives in Osage, originally from Williamsburg Family: Husband Chris; twin 10-year old boys, Hayden and Holden; daughter Caroline, 8 Education: Kirkwood Community College, bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Iowa Hobbies: Teaching fitness classes, Read more…
By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor In 2021, Gov. Kim Reynolds created the Child Care Task Force to address Iowa’s child care crisis. Its 18 members were tasked with developing comprehensive recommendations that would be used as “a foundation for potential action by the Governor, legislature, communities and employers to reduce Read more…
By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor Editor’s note: This is the second and final part of a series on the issue of child care in the state. Part one introduced the current workforce shortage in the child care industry and what’s currently being done to address the lack of available slots Read more…
By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a two-part series that looks at issues with child care in Iowa, which experts believe to be a big factor affecting local and national economies. Part one introduces the current workforce shortage in the industry and what’s Read more…
By Emily Blobaum, Fearless editor On July 15, more than 36 million families across the U.S. began receiving the first round of child tax credit payments. We spoke with nonprofit leaders and one Iowa family on what the credit will mean for middle- and low-income households in the state. Background Read more…
By Emily Blobaum, Fearless contributing editor The Young Women’s Resource Center offers a variety of free services and programs geared toward young moms, among other focus areas. One of the services matches the young moms with doulas to navigate the process of becoming a mom. Doulas are nonmedical professionals who Read more…