Senate Honors Lundby

State senators, Republicans and Democrats, paid tribute this morning to ailing former Sen. Mary Lundby, R-Mation.

The Gazette and The Register each have accounts.

New CR Cold Record

NWS reports -28 at Cedar Rapids at 7:52 a.m.

According to a Gazette story this morning, that would tie the all-time mark set on Jan. 12, 1974.

UPDATE — Weather service now says CR’s coldest-ever record was broken with -29 at 7:51 a.m.  They also say these records could be broken again before midnight as temps plunge after dark.

UPDATE 2 — Cold across the nation, and we’re not the coldest:

In Pollock, S.D., which dropped to a record-setting 47 below zero, Todd Moser, who works at a gas station, said it took about 10 minutes before the gas pumps started working.

“It just hurts to breathe out there,” said Moser, adding that he could only stand it for about five minutes. “After a while your face really just starts to hurt and you’ve just really got to get back in.”

Thursday Reads — Absolute Zero

OK, not that cold. But it is -24.8 at the Dorman ranch. And again, no school at Linn Mar.

So what say the media?

Waterloo? “Blasted” says the Courier. “Frostbite,” warns the Register. Wouldn’t you hate to be the Uncle Sam guy walking outside to promote Liberty Tax Services, says The Gazette. “Dangerous” says the AP.

KCRG in Cedar Rapids says we’ve broken our record low at -24. Lucky us.

In other news, IBM is planning to open a new facility that will employ 1,300 in Dubuque, according to the Wall Street Journal and The Register. It will be the biggest new facility built by the company in 10 years, that’s not in India anyway. Mike Blouin, development guru in Dubuque, says government is ponying up $55 million to lure the company, including an $11.7 million state loan.

The Gazette reports on a renewed legislative effort to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. And the smoking ban is back on the agenda. 

And count me in the sad-to-see-him-going camp on the Eddie Podolak retirement/embarrassing photos saga. Gazette columnist Mike Hlas and Register scribe Mark Hansen both have good takes.

Now, will my car start?

UPDATE — Nope.