SHUTTING DOWN TEREX

ELK POINT—Terex Load King, Elk Point’s largest employer, says it is temporarily shutting down the plant due to the sour economy. In a statement, the company says it is experiencing a significant slowdown. The company says it regrets having to suspend operations but that it’s “necessary for the continuing success” of its business. The plant, [...]

IOWA ECONOMY POLL

SIOUXLAND—According to a new poll from The Des
Moines Register, a majority of Iowans are confident that they can survive an economic downturn, but an increasing number of residents are personally feeling or seeing the recession. The Register’s Iowa Poll asked how the economy is affecting them, what changes they are making to their personal finances [...]

SEN. HARKIN CRACKS DOWN ON UNREGULATED TRADING

WASHINGTON, D.C. — SENATOR TOM HARKIN HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH NEW OVERSIGHT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS THAT SOME ARGUE WERE THE CAUSE OF THE WALL STREET MELTDOWN. HARKIN PROPOSES THAT THE COMMODITIES FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION BEGIN REGULATING FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS CALLED SWAPS AND DERIVATIVES.
LISTEN HERE
THE SENATOR IS TALKING ABOUT THE ESTIMATED HALF-A-TRILLION SWAPS IN FORCE TODAY [...]

MIDWEST ECONOMY

A survey of Midwest and Plains supply managers suggests they are dour about the regional economy over the next six months. The confidence index of the Mid-America Business Conditions Survey plunged to a record low of 22.8 last month from an already gloomy 38.4 in September. In the survey report released Monday, the overall index [...]