Gazette Daily News Podcast, October 21 and 22
Welcome to the weekend!
This is Stephen Colbert from the Gazette Digital News Desk, and I’m here with your update for Saturday, October 21st, and Sunday, October 22nd, 2023.
According to the National Weather Service, Saturday will be sunny, with a high near 65, cooling to a low of around 39 Saturday night.
Sunday will be sunny, with a high near 61, cooling to a low around 48 Sunday night with a chance of showers after 1am, with chances of showers persisting into Monday afternoon.
Mercy Iowa City pensioners seek ‘official’ status in bankruptcy discussions
As attorneys wrangle over dwindling money available to pay lawyers, bankers, creditors and employees with the now-bankrupt Mercy Iowa City, the hospital’s pensioners are asking for a voice too.
Past and present Mercy employees who joined its now-frozen “church plan” over the nearly 50 years it was accepting new entrants on Wednesday made their payment concerns known — asking the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to establish an official “Committee of Pensioners,” similar to the committee it established for unsecured creditors.
With official status, the growing group of 449 pensioners who’ve requested regular communication would get more case information and a voice, given, “The future of the pension plan, as well as the status of its funding, is at issue.”
Mercy, in continuing to operate through the bankruptcy and transition to new ownership, has sought court approval to use for ongoing operations its “cash collateral” — a shrinking pot of money that could be distributed among the hundreds of creditors still owed many millions, unlike restricted pension funds.
Iowa Utilities Board preapproves more solar generation for Alliant
After nearly two years and several denials, the Iowa Utilities Board has preapproved two Alliant Energy solar projects that total 200 megawatts in capacity.
The decision follows the board’s preapproval of the Duane Arnold Solar facilities earlier this year.
Interstate Power and Light Co., an Alliant subsidiary, originally asked the IUB in November 2021 for preapproval of 400 megawatts of solar and 75 megawatts of battery storage, along with their associated lifetime costs and rates.
The projects included the Duane Arnold Solar projects that Florida-based NextEra is building near Palo.
The additional 200 megawatts have since been identified as the Creston Solar Project and Wever Solar Project.
Don’t miss The Gazette’s school bond forum
The Gazette will host a public forum on the proposed $220 million school bond with school district representatives, members of the vote yes and opposition groups. The forum will feature an overview as well as moderated conversation and audience questions about the upcoming school bond vote, which will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot.
This is a free event but registration is required due to limited seating. This program will be live-streamed on thegazette.com.
Find out more about the live stream or register to attend in person at TheGazette.com/special-events
Have a good weekend, everyone.
