WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018  |  IN THIS ISSUE 

Energy efficiency programs paid for by utilities customers took a hit Monday with passage of Senate File 2311 on a straight party line vote. Republicans, who backed the measure cutting the programs by about two-thirds, argue the bill will lower costs for consumers while still providing clean, reliable energy, the Des Moines Register reports, reducing levies on customers by $100 million a year. Democrats countered the cut will increase energy costs and threaten the jobs of thousands of Iowans involved in installing energy efficient products. Critics also point out the state programs have helped attract high-tech firms like Google to Iowa. The bill is now headed to the desk of Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Text4Winnebago goes electric for commercial vehicles

Forest City-based Winnebago Industries, famous for its recreational vehicles, has announced the launch of an all-electric/zero-emission commercial vehicle platform through its specialty vehicles division. In partnership with Motiv Power Systems Inc., Winnebago plans to develop an electric-powered chassis for use on both 33- and 38-foot RVs. "We believe that all-electric vehicle applications continue to evolve to serve numerous end-user needs and this is our first step as a participant in this space," Vice President Ashis Bhattacharya said in a press release. C ommercial Winnebagos are often used for bookmobiles, bloodmobiles and mobile medical units, CNET notes, adding they are ideal users of electric RVs as they usually only travel short distances and can plug into a wall outlet to charge while the vehicle is "doing its thing."
Text2 Boeing picks up aerospace parts maker KLX in $4.25B deal
 
Aerospace giant Boeing yesterday announced plans to buy parts company KLX Inc. for $4.25 billion. Quoting Boeing officials, Reuters reports the all-cash acquisition will enable the company to offer "a one-stop-shop" that will benefit its supply chain and customers. Boeing, which has also held preliminary talks with parts maker Woodward Inc. and is mulling a joint venture that would give it control of Embrauer SA's commercial jets, has set an ambitious goal of tripling sales at its services business to $50 billion within 10 years. "We continue to see global services as our biggest market-growth opportunity," Bloomberg quoted CEO Dennis Muilenburg saying at the company's annual meeting Monday before the deal was announced. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter, and include the divestment of KLX's Energy Services Group.
Text3 Ames Brazilian restaurant home to state's best burger in 2018
 
A tiny Brazilian-themed eatery in Ames has snapped up the state's best burger title. Caf é Beaudelaire, whose winning burger has a South American twist, was named "Iowa's Best Burger" for 2018 by the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council, which run the annual contest. "I think we have such a unique burger because it has a Brazilian twist," Lexi Romitti, a server at the restaurant told Radio Iowa, adding that the café is prepared for an influx of curious meat-lovers. Judges said "the taste and quality of the burger is outstanding and worth a drive to have it again," the Ames Tribune reported. Located at 2504 Lincoln Way in the city's Campustown district, Café Beaudelaire beat out nine other Iowa restaurants named to the contest's top 10 finalists for this year, including Saucy Focaccia and BurgerFiend, both in Cedar Rapids.
 
That ragtag collection of hotel shampoo bottles in your toiletries bag could become collectors items now that an increasing number of hotel chains are switching over to wall-mounted bulk dispensers. The Wall Street Journal reports the tiny giveaways are becoming relics of the past as major chains like Marriott change to cut costs and become more environmentally friendly. But the switch is not pleasing many customers who complain the wall-mounted dispensers look low rent and represent the disappearance of yet another amenity for travelers. Marriott, for one, says the switch will allow it to offer higher-end products - Paul Mitchell Tea Tree brand shampoo and conditioner - and estimates that the average hotel will divert more than 23,000 tiny bottles, or 250 pounds of plastic, from landfills each year.
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CommuteYour Morning Commute
It's construction season, according to Waze users -- there are no major slowdowns reported this morning, but be ready to hit the brakes while you're out there. See the DOT's interactive road conditions map here. 
 
Links as of 7 a.m.