Environmental Issues

Iowa and the Impact of Avian Flu

The fast moving Avian Flu has decimated, my millions, the flocks of chickens and turkeys in Iowa, the state that leads the nation in egg production. We sat down with Bill Northey the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture for an in-depth conversation about the economic impact, the spread of the disease, the dangers to urban bird populations and some thoughts on containment.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production ofInsight Advertising, Marketing & Communicationsa full service advertising agency based in Des Moines. Connect with us on Twitter@IoB_NewsHourand, for more,here is our Facebook Page.

The Boat, The River and West Des Moines

Michael LaValle is no stranger to start-ups. He is the General Manager and Culinary Director of the Embassy Club, he founded The Hub on the Des Moines River and he and his bride operate Trellis located in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. He is also a riverboat captain on the Jonathan Anderson White paddle wheel boat.  And that is where this story gets interesting.  Tired of fighting flooding conditions downtown Michael has asked the City of West Des Moines for permission to float his riverboat there.  That sparked an interesting debate. Here is our conversation and attempt to move this neat economic development idea along.  Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Trash Talk and Economic Development - Honest!

Trash talk!  No, we haven't switched format to politics but to Earth Day with Jen Fletcher from Des Moines Parks and Recreation. We're looking for 1,200 volunteers to join up and clean up for Earth Day.  And, we talked about the economic impact parks and recreation have on any community. Come on...get trashy with Trash Bash!Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Blue Cow Boxes with Tim Unruh

We are such softies for folks that see a market opening and come into the space to fill it!  Meet Tim Unruh of Blue Cow Boxes. He has brought to the Des Moines Metro a really great system for when folks...move.  You know how much you hate rounding up moving boxes.  What if you didn't have to? Oh, and we also throw in some farm talk, garage storage and cattle.  Enjoy! Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

The Business of Politics with Mark Langgin

Have you ever wondered who crafts those messages that are used to sway voters or interest voters in politics or a cause?  Mark Langgin is a principal with Groundswell Public Strategies, a Des Moines based business that does just that.  What works, how to connect and why?  We had that discussion. Enjoy.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page. 

League of Conservation Voters and Iowa

We don't do politics on the News Hour however, we do talk about the impact politics may have on business. Sara Chieffo is the legislative director for the League of Conservation Voters based in Washington, DC. Recently the EPA published new air quality requirements and much of the business community and some political figures warned of all types of horrors that would result. We asked about that...and more. Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Larry Cleverley, Farming and the Iowa DOT

Larry Cleverley is well known in the Des Moines Metro as a provider of fresh, organic produce to restaurants and individuals. In this extended interview we talk about organics, consumer choice and the Iowa Department of Transportation and their efforts that very well may close down Cleverley Farms near Mingo.  It's an issue that has roots back to the mid 1930's.  Listen in:Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page

Iowa Agribusiness with Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey

One of the, if not the, leading businesses in Iowa is agriculture. Iowa leads the nation in the production of pork, chickens, eggs, corn and soybeans.  We sat down with the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey for a wide ranging discussion on the importance of the agribusiness side of the state's economy, urban agriculture, reductions in the food stamp program, the clean up of our water and much more.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Economic and Fiscal Health for Des Moines

Making a return visit to the News Hour is our favorite Metropolitan Planner, Bethany Wilcoxon to talk about a public workshop designed to inform citizens of the Des Moines Metro about how they can get involved in The Tomorrow Plan a look at sustainability for our area. May 13 at 5:30PM at 420 Watson Powell, Jr. Way.  The program is being facilitated by Smart Growth America which helps build coalitions among communities, nationwide. Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

The Tomorrow Plan...Today!

Over the past several years the Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization has been doing just that...preparing the Tomorrow Plan for sustainability into the year 2050. We welcome back Bethany Wilcoxson and Todd Ashby from The Tomorrow Plan to discuss the public event scheduled for next week and more details of what the plan hopes to accomplish. Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.