EPA Threatens to Take Control of Iowa Water Quality Management: Iowa City Daily News Links, Nov. 13

It's already almost Thanksgiving? Weird. And it seems like Christmas shopping season only started a month ago.

On to the Links!

As urban chickens will receive a vote tonight at the Iowa City City Council meeting, supporters can point to support recently given to the practice by another nearby college town -- Mount Vernon. (the Gazette)

The EPA is threatening to take over the management and enforcement of Iowa's clean water laws if the state Department of Natural Resources does not do a better job. (Des Moines Register)

Vanessa Miller of the Gazette reports that a local business owner pleaded guilty to selling drugs to keep his business afloat.

Speaking of friction between the federal government and the state of Iowa, an Iowa state senator is urging more progress on the implementation of the rules included in Obamacare, while the Branstad administration is dragging its feet, saying that it needs questions clarified before theses steps can be taken. (Des Moines Register)

The Iowa Board of Regents would like more info on the leaked probe of now former employee Peter Gray, who resigned after alleged sexual improprieties. (Associated Press)

Daily Links Excerpt of the Day

In Iowa City, council members will vote Tuesday, Nov.  13, on two changes in the city code that would allow residents to keep up to four hens.

The movement has been percolating in Iowa City for several years. Similar measures have passed in Cedar Rapids, Palo, Hills and other cities across the country.

Supporters say keeping a small flock of chickens is an environmentally friendly way to provide local food in the form of eggs.

Iowa City’s proposal would prohibit the sale of eggs and the slaughter of chickens, but chickens are allowed to be slaughtered in Mount Vernon.

Daily Links Featured Directed Listing of the Day: The Pit Smokehouse and Barbecue