MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2020 | IN THIS ISSUE
• General Mills names new manager of CR plant
• Supreme Court rules LGBT workers protected from discrimination
• Legislative session closes with business, education wins
• Iowa joins third lawsuit over generic drug price fixing
• Cedar Rapids increasing bus capacity starting today
• Corridor events, KCRG-TV9 headlines and First Alert Forecast
|
|
General Mills names new manager of CR plant
|
Mike Noble has been named manager of General Mills’ large manufacturing facility in Cedar Rapids, in a leadership transition that began in February.
A U.S. Air Force veteran and member of General Mills’ management for 21 years, Mr. Noble has served as plant manager at several manufacturing facilities, and most recently served as global safety and environment director, helping the company achieve one of the best safety years in its history.
The company said the leadership transition began in February with Mr. Noble’s arrival in Cedar Rapids, where General Mills manufactures a portfolio of products that include fruit snacks, ready-to-eat cereals and frostings. The transition was completed on June 1, when former plant manager Rue Patel retired after 29 years with General Mills.
“During his tenure as plant manager at Cedar Rapids, Rue grew the plant significantly,” the company said in a statement issued by spokeswoman Laura Knutson. “His plants have consistently been among the most operationally reliable and financially efficient, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”
She also praised Mr. Patel’s mentoring and example, saying the greatest of his accomplishments are “the countless leaders and teams he has developed, mentored and influenced across our company.”
Mr. Noble’s arrival comes at a time of challenge and opportunity for General Mills as the COVID-19 pandemic has raised health risks for plant workers in industry; at the same time, it has elevated demand for General Mills products due to consumers distancing and dining at home. The plant is operating under its first union contract, after plant workers voted to affiliate with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union in 2019.
Mr. Noble holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Missouri University of Science and Technology and an MBA from the University of Florida. Since joining General Mills as maintenance team leader in Buffalo, New York, Mr. Noble has been department manager in Covington, Georgia; maintenance manager in Albuquerque, New Mexico; assistant plant manager in Hannibal, Missouri; and plant manager at several plant locations.
IMAGE: Mike Noble.
|
|
Supreme Court rules LGBT workers protected
|
|
The Supreme Court this morning ruled in a 6-3 decision that gay, lesbian and transgender employees cannot be fired because of their sexual orientation under a provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Title VII of that law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
“In Title VII, Congress adopted broad language making it illegal for an employer to rely on an employee's sex when deciding to fire that employee," Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the
court’s decision
. “We do not hesitate to recognize today a necessary consequence of that legislative choice: an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law.”
Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas dissented, arguing that the change required legislative action.
Iowa law has prohibited the discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity under the Iowa Civil Rights Act since 2007. A bill proposed by a group of Republicans during the latest session aimed at removing protections for transgender people
did not make it out of committee
, NBC News reported.
|
|
Legislative session closes with business, education wins
|
|
Among the notable business-focused bills passed this session were:
HF2627
, which reforms the state’s professional licensing system. It allows new Iowa residents with an out-of-state license to use their skills and training in the same profession here in Iowa without additional restrictions; recognizes three years of work experience as a substitute for any education, training and work experience requires; and waives initial licensing fees for first-time applicants of families earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level, among other actions.
SF2338
, which provides business liability protections related to COVID-19 illnesses. It requires that individuals bringing suit against a business meet minimum medical conditions – in this case, hospitalization or death – and provides protections from liability lawsuits to “persons in control of a facility” unless that person “recklessly disregards risks or acts with malice.” It also protects businesses that remain in “substantial compliance” with federal or state regulations, orders and guidance on the pandemic.
SF2400
, which increases the percentage of matching public funds to 35%, up from 15%, for the cost of broadband infrastructure projects. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration says the change will better incentivize providers to build networks to reach the state’s most difficult-to-serve areas, and bring Iowa’s broadband grant program more in line with neighboring states.
HF2629
, which expands Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature Future Ready Iowa initiative. The bill expands the state’s Apprenticeship Opportunities Program, and creates a new Iowa Child Care Challenge Fund, which aims to encourage businesses and others to build and increase the availability of childcare in the state. The bill also calls for the establishment of K-12 computer science education requirements over the coming years.
“Iowa’s greatest opportunity for economic growth is to build a workforce that’s nimble and highly skilled,” Ms. Reynolds said in a release. “Future Ready Iowa helps Iowans looking for a way up by connecting them to the skills and education needed for a life-long career. I appreciate the Iowa Legislature working with me to continue this program that has already changed the lives of so many Iowans.”
HF2581
, which regulates hemp as a commodity and allows for the manufacture, sale and consumption of “consumable hemp products” by humans, when made in compliance with THC caps and certain packaging and labeling requirements.
SF2134
, which allows brewers to produce and sell canned cocktails.
With the exception of SF2134, which was signed by the governor in March, all of the above bills remain waiting Ms. Reynolds’ signature.
|
|
Iowa joins third lawsuit over generic drug price fixing
|
|
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has joined a coalition of 51 attorneys general filing a third lawsuit alleging a widespread conspiracy by generic drug manufacturers to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition and restrain trade for generic drugs sold across the U.S.
The new complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, focuses on 80 topical generic drugs that account for billions of dollars of sales in the United States. It names 26 corporate defendants and 10 individual defendants, and seeks damages, civil penalties and actions by the court to restore competition to the generic drug market, according to Mr. Miller’s office.
The topical drugs at the center of the complaint include creams, gels, lotions, ointments, shampoos and solutions used to treat a variety of skin conditions, pain and allergies.
“The list of defendants involved in the collusion alleged in this lawsuit is long, but the list of victims is longer,” Mr. Miller said in a release. “Iowa consumers, businesses, and taxpayers have paid excessive prices because of this multi-billion-dollar fraud.”
The complaint stems from an ongoing investigation built on evidence from several cooperating witnesses at the core of the conspiracy, a massive database of more than 20 million documents, and a phone records database containing millions of call detail records and contact information for more than 600 sales and pricing individuals in the generics industry.
Between 2007-2014, three generic drug manufacturers, Taro, Perrigo, and Fougera (now Sandoz), sold nearly two-thirds of all generic topical products dispensed in the United States. The multi-state investigation has uncovered comprehensive, direct evidence of unlawful agreements to minimize competition and raise prices on dozens of topical products. The complaint alleges longstanding agreements among manufacturers to ensure a “fair share” of the market for each competitor, and to prevent “price erosion” due to competition.
The complaint is the third to be filed in an expanding investigation that the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General has referred to as "possibly the largest domestic corporate cartel case in the history of the United States."
Iowa joined the first complaint in December 2016 against Heritage Pharmaceuticals and other generic drug makers. The first complaint, still pending in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, now includes 18 corporate defendants, two individual defendants and 15 generic drugs. Two former executives from Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Jeffery Glazer and Jason Malek, have entered into settlement agreements and are cooperating with the attorneys general working group in that case.
Iowa joined the second complaint in May 2019 against Teva Pharmaceuticals and 19 of the nation's largest generic drug manufacturers. That second complaint, also pending in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, names 16 individual senior executive defendants. The states are preparing for trial on that complaint.
|
|
Cedar Rapids increasing bus capacity starting today
|
|
The city of Cedar Rapids’ transit system is increasing its ridership capacity from 10 people per bus to 15 beginning today.
“Many residents have expressed their appreciation for resuming bus service, and riders are following mask requirements, social distancing and capacity limits,” Transit Manager Brad DeBrower said in a release. “Daily ridership has slowly been increasing since restarting service in May. More trips have been reaching the 10-passenger capacity, requiring the use of standby buses more often. With the current measures in place, we feel we are safely able to increase capacity and allow more residents to utilize our transit service.”
Transit Service will continue to be available on weekdays, Monday through Friday from 5:15 a.m.-7 p.m., with hourly service on all routes except for Route 5, which will run in 15-minute intervals. There is no weekday peak service or Saturday service at this time.
Fares are currently not being collected and passengers will continue to be required to enter and exit the bus through the back door, unless they have an ADA accessibility issue that requires the use of the front door. Passengers are required to wear face coverings on the bus or in the Ground Transportation Center (GTC).
Passengers are asked to limit transit use for only essential trips, such as rides to work, the grocery store, or medical appointments. Passenger are not allowed to wait inside the GTC, but have access to the restrooms and information booth.
The city will continue to partner with Horizons/NTS and with Linn County LIFTS to fill in any transportation service gaps. Adjustments will be made when necessary as conditions and needs change.
IMAGE: A rider boards a Cedar Rapids Transit bus in an undated photo. CREDIT KCRG-TV9.
|
|
Connect with the CBJ
The CBJ’s mission of informing and connecting the Corridor’s business community is more important than ever. Our news operations will continue researching and reporting on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through our multiple distribution channels. Here’s how you can connect with us today and moving forward:
- You can reach our newsroom directly with leads, updates, cancellations, etc. at news@corridorbusiness.com.
- Our comprehensive, deep-dive content continues in our weekly CBJ. If you are not a digital subscriber, you can sign up here.
- Our daily news coverage solution is spread throughout the week with our free e-newsletters. If you have not already signed up, you can do so here.
- Updated coronavirus information will also be published on our website, corridorbusiness.com/latest-coronavirus-updates, and through our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn channels.
- All of our staff members remain available to assist you. You can find our full contact information at www.corridorbusiness.com/cbj-contact.
Remember: Subscribers can access the digital CBJ anytime and anywhere. Don't remember your password? Please email
jean@corridorbusiness.com for a password reset.
The CBJ print subscribers can also temporarily have the CBJ mailed to their home. To temporarily switch your address, please send your full temporary mailing address to
jean@corridorbusiness.com. Please include start and stop dates for the temporary address.
Thank you for your continued support of the Corridor Business Journal.
|
|
Short Term Event Planner
June 15
Virtual Lunch Connections
, by Iowa City Area Business Partnerships, noon-1 p.m., online. Join this Zoom lunch meeting to connect with other business people in the Corridor. Free. To join the meeting, visit
bit.ly/2XdAISM
.
June 16
Community Conversation and Legislative Updates
, by Marion Economic Development Corp., noon-1 p.m., online. Join state Sen. Liz Mathis, Rep. Molly Donahue and Rep. Ashley Hinson for the latest developments after spending a week at the Iowa State Capitol. Free. To register, visit
bit.ly/2XRppBn
.
June 17
1 Million Cups
, by 1MC Iowa City, 9-10 a.m., online. Join this virtual meeting for community connections, free coffee and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. To join, visit
zoom.us/j/818148137.
Reimagining Your Workforce Series: Return to Work
, by CLA, 2-3 p.m., online. This first session will discuss things to consider as you plan and adjust for a return to the workplace. Other sessions in this series will be set for July 15, Aug. 12 and Sept. 9. Free. To register, visit
bit.ly/3hdYNSn
.
|
|
|
|
Get in the know
Forward the FREE CBJ Business Daily newsletter to your friends and colleagues, and share the feeling of being informed! Use our fast, one-minute subscription to the CBJ's newsletters
here
, or check out our other subscription options
here
.
|
|
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
The University of Iowa reached a separation agree with Executive Director of Football and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Chris Doyle on June 15. The UI Office of General Counsel said it engaged Husch Blackwell, a Kansas City law firm, to conduct an independent review of issues and allegations relating to racial disparities within the football program. UI says Raimond Braithwaite will continue to serve as interim director of the football strength and conditioning program. Leaders at the University of Iowa will be meeting with media at 1 p.m. Read the full story
here.
Vice President Mike Pence will be in Iowa on June 16 for a lunch with Gov. Kim Reynolds. Pence will participate in a tour of Winnebago Industries and then deliver remarks to employees. He will return to Washington, D.C. later that evening. More details regarding the trip will be released as they become available.
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
|
|
Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
|
Plan on partly sunny sky with highs well into the 70s. It’ll turn breezy again today, much like yesterday. The dry and warming trend will continue this week with highs at least into the mid-80s tomorrow and upper 80s to lower 90s likely Wednesday and Thursday. The humidity will be pretty low for at least the first half of all this, with rising dew points likely by late in the week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
