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What the coolest thing made in Iowa? Contest will allow Iowans to decide

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What the coolest thing made in Iowa? Contest will allow Iowans to decide


The coolest product made in South Carolina last year was the F-16 fighter jet, residents say. In Arkansas, they chose fluff pulp, the absorbent material made from softwood chips that goes into baby diapers and other products.

In 2024, it’s Iowans’ turn to vote on the coolest product made in their state ― and they’re likely to learn about items they never knew were made here.

The Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest, which kicks off with the nominating process starting March 25, is being sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and MidwestOne Bank. It culminates with a winner being announced June 5 at the ABI’s annual conference in the Quad Cities.

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More: Attention holiday gift buyers: Here are 9 Local Legends, Des Moines makers of unique items

“We work with Iowa manufacturers every day and even we don’t know all of the products that are made out there. It’s a chance for us to learn what all is being made in Iowa as well,” said Kelsey O’Connor of ABI.

Anyone can nominate an Iowa product they think is cool by going to coolestthingia.com starting March 25. Nominees for a Sweet 16 round will be announced on April 19, with bracket votingfrom April 22 to May 29. The makers of the top four products will be invited to the conference for the announcement of the winner.

In neighboring Nebraska, the excitement of the competition was “amazing and fun,” said Andy Havlovic, owner of Rocket Mobility, the 2023 winner.

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The Columbus company’s winning product ― which is indeed, cool ― is a motorized, all-terrain wheel chair built on tracks, allowing disabled people to access hard to reach places in the great outdoors.

“It was just fun to be a part of it. We wanted to win, but just being in the final 16 was so worth it. Columbus and all the employees were all excited as we advanced from round to round,” Havlovic said.

He said the competition also gave his company some valuable exposure.

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“It was important to us because we’re not a large company like some of the others that were in the contest,” he said.

O’Connor said that’s exactly what ABI is hoping for with the Iowa competition.

“We don’t know exactly what to expect but hopefully it will be as popular here as it has been in other states. We are hopeful that it is,” she said.

In addition to the “wow factor” of being able to highlight unique products made in Iowa, she said, the competition helps spotlight the state’s manufacturing industry, which employs 225,000 people and contributes over $38 billion annually to the economy.

More: Iowa enjoys distillery boom: From grain to glass, these 8 makers produce top-shelf spirits

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O’Connor said the contest also is an opportunity to highlight the manufacturing careers that are available in Iowa.

“In other states, it has been fun to see smaller communities rally around the cool products that are made in their town,” she said.

She said the winner of Coolest Thing Made In Iowa will get a trophy to go with the bragging rights.

And that’s pretty cool in itself.



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States including Iowa, Nebraska reach $150M settlement with Mercedes-Benz

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States including Iowa, Nebraska reach 0M settlement with Mercedes-Benz


LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – A coalition of states including both Iowa and Nebraska reached a nearly $150 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz.

The states allege over 200,000 diesel vehicles were illegally equipped with devices designed to cheat on emissions tests between 2008 and 2016.

Mercedes allegedly hid the existence of these devices from regulators and people purchasing the vehicles.

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See where Iowa State basketball ranks in the AP and coaches polls

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See where Iowa State basketball ranks in the AP and coaches polls


Iowa State basketball is now ranked in the top three.

The Cyclone men improved to 13-0 this week after obliterating Long Beach State on Dec. 21 at Hilton Coliseum.

With the holiday week, Iowa State is off before returning for a home game Monday, Dec. 29, against Houston Christian at 7 p.m.

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Here is a look at where the Cyclones stand in the latest college basketball rankings:

Iowa State rankings update

Iowa State moved up one spot to No. 3 in both the AP and Coaches Polls. The Cyclones were previously at No. 4.

USA TODAY Sports men’s college basketball coaches poll

Here is a look at the new USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll.

  1. Michigan
  2. Arizona
  3. Iowa State
  4. UConn
  5. Purdue
  6. Duke
  7. Gonzaga
  8. Houston
  9. Michigan State
  10. BYU
  11. Vanderbilt
  12. North Carolina
  13. Nebraska
  14. Louisville
  15. Alabama
  16. Texas Tech
  17. Kansas
  18. Arkansas
  19. Illinois
  20. Tennessee
  21. Virginia
  22. Florida
  23. Iowa
  24. Georgia
  25. USC

Others receiving votes

St. John’s 32; Kentucky 32; Seton Hall 20; Utah State 15; Auburn 10; California 9; UCLA 8; Saint Louis 8; LSU 6; Yale 4; Oklahoma State 3; Saint Mary’s 1; Indiana 1; Clemson 1;

AP Poll

Here is a look at the new Associated Press poll.

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  1. Arizona
  2. Michigan
  3. Iowa State
  4. UConn
  5. Purdue
  6. Duke
  7. Gonzaga
  8. Houston
  9. Michigan State
  10. BYU
  11. Vanderbilt
  12. North Carolina
  13. Nebraska
  14. Alabama
  15. Texas Tech
  16. Louisville
  17. Kansas
  18. Arkansas
  19. Tennessee
  20. Illinois
  21. Virginia
  22. Florida
  23. Georgia
  24. USC
  25. Iowa

Others receiving votes

Kentucky 78, Seton Hall 49, Auburn 39, St. John’s 23, California 19, LSU 17, UCLA 13, Clemson 9, Miami (Ohio) 6, Utah St. 5, Arizona St 5, Indiana 4, Miami 4, Saint Louis 3, Belmont 2, Baylor 1, Oklahoma St. 1, UCF 1, NC State 1.



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Jaxx DeJean, brother of Hawkeye icon Cooper, commits to Iowa football

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Jaxx DeJean, brother of Hawkeye icon Cooper, commits to Iowa football


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Class of 2027 prospect Jaxx DeJean, the younger brother of former Iowa football star Cooper DeJean, has committed to the Hawkeyes.

Jaxx DeJean made the announcement via social media on Dec. 21.

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DeJean, listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, committed to Iowa as a tight end.

DeJean is a 3-star prospect and the fifth-ranked player in the state of Iowa’s 2027 high school class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

As a junior at OABCIG, DeJean showed versatility offensively. He led the team with 36 receptions for 461 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for 207 yards and three touchdowns. DeJean also passed for 149 yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, DeJean recorded 18.5 total tackles and three interceptions.

DeJean was named honorable mention All-Iowa by the Des Moines Register.

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The Odebolt product earned offers from UNLV, Kansas State, Michigan, UAB and Iowa.

DeJean has become a well-known last name in the Hawkeye and NFL communities.

Cooper DeJean became an Iowa legend in three seasons with the Hawkeyes, starring as a defensive back and punt returner. As a junior, DeJean was Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year.

DeJean’s story rose to new heights once he got to the NFL. He somewhat surprisingly slipped to the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but was scooped up by the Philadelphia Eagles, which ultimately proved beneficial for both sides. As a rookie, DeJean picked off a pass from megastar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown in Super Bowl LIX to help the Eagles take down the Chiefs.

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Before the 2024 NFL Draft, DeJean commented on the recruitment of brother Jaxx.

“I want him to make his own decision,” Cooper said of Jaxx in March of 2024. “If he could be here, that’d be awesome. We’ve all grown up Iowa fans, but I’ll definitely be giving my pitch, for sure.”

Jaxx DeJean is the third prospect to commit to Iowa’s 2027 recruiting class this month.

4-star Bettendorf linebacker Gavin Stecker announced his commitment to the Hawkeyes on Dec. 9. Less than one week later, Pleasantville High School Braylon Bingham also committed to Iowa as a linebacker. And now, DeJean becomes Iowa’s first offensive commitment in the 2027 recruiting class.

All three members of Iowa’s 2027 recruiting class are in-state products.

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Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com



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