The Iowa Communications Network ( ICN ) is a state-administered fiber optics network designed to provide equal access to citizens including Iowans with modern telecommunication resources.
54-441: The Iowa Communications Network provides data, high-speed Internet connections, security, and voice (telephone) service to a variety of authorized users, which includes state and federal government agencies, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, healthcare and public libraries. ICN sunsetted its video service in 2020. Governor Terry Branstad signed an authorizing bill in 1989. In 1991, construction began on Parts I and II of
108-446: A "no" on their report card regarding "criteria for acceptance" and said Branstad had "a history of raising taxes, [was] not a true conservative, increased the size of government every year he held office, [and] built a state-owned phone company." Former Iowa State Auditor Richard Johnson accused Branstad of keeping "two sets of books" on the state budget while governor. Johnson said Branstad needed to be "transparent" to Iowa voters about
162-468: A 24-hour schedule. Mediacom continued to carry the network in their markets with 24-hour programming due to their direct fiber connection from IPTV in Johnston to their Des Moines headend , which distributes the four IPTV channels statewide. The national satellite services carry the network's primary HD channel (IPTV.1) and have a fiber connection so the channel was available 24/7 to their subscribers. At
216-655: A Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Iowa in 1969 and a Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in 1974. He was drafted after college and served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 as a military policeman in the 503rd Military Police Battalion at Fort Bragg . He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service; he once recalled that he arrested actress Jane Fonda for coming onto
270-647: A Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI) application to the federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The CCI project, proposed during the second round, will enhance the Network to a 10 GB/s (10 gigabytes per second) backbone that would reach all 99 counties in Iowa. This middle mile network advancement will also provide 1 GB/s of symmetrical Ethernet connectivity to 1,036 education facilities, hospitals, libraries, public safety, workforce development, and other Community Anchor Institutions throughout
324-460: A biography of Branstad, Iowa's Record-Setting Governor: The Terry Branstad Story . The book details Branstad's youth on the family farm, his high school days in Forest City , and his rise in politics. Iowa Public Television Iowa PBS , formerly Iowa Public Television ( IPTV ), is a network of Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS ) member stations in the U.S. state of Iowa . It
378-529: A charter member of PBS. By 1977 the newly renamed Iowa Public Broadcasting Network had eight full-power stations. The Iowa Public Television name was adopted in 1982 and began on-air January 1, 1983. In 2003, it purchased KQCT-TV in Davenport, which repeated the programming of Quad Cities PBS station WQPT-TV in the Iowa side of the Quad Cities. The calls were changed to KQIN. IPTV was originally run by
432-603: A cost-effective way remains a core purpose of the ICN. Part of that function is the goal of bringing equal educational opportunities to K-12 students located in rural and underserved areas. ICN also provides Internet bandwidth to school districts and colleges around the state. ICN makes it possible for instructors and learners physically separated by location to participate in interactive educational events such as college-credit and Advanced Placement classes, classes with shared teachers, and virtual field trips. Training programs offered by
486-732: A jury in Polk County , Iowa awarded a gay former state official $ 1.5 million in damages, finding that Branstad had discriminated against him based on sexual orientation in 2012. In December 2016 President-elect Donald Trump chose Branstad to serve as US Ambassador to China , succeeding Max Baucus . Branstad accepted the offer within one day after meeting with Trump in New York. Trump cited Branstad's decades of experience with China while governor of Iowa. Xi Jinping , China's paramount leader , considers Branstad an "old friend". Branstad's relationship with Xi dates to 1985, when Xi, then
540-417: A maximum of 500 classrooms. One year later, ICN’s internet bandwidth was brought up to 400 Mbit/s for a faster, more efficient connection. In 2003, the network received a number of upgrades, appropriated through state legislation, which made it one of the most technologically advanced telecommunications services for state government as the time. In 2004, Danville High School was the final site to be added to
594-399: A medical assistant and as a volunteer at schools and hospitals. Eric Branstad is a political consultant and lobbyist whose lobbying activities on behalf of Chinese firms while Branstad was US Ambassador to China led to charges with conflict of interest. Branstad denied the allegation. Allison moved to Beijing with her father when he was appointed ambassador because she landed a job at
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#1732798708060648-510: A no-profit price. The result is that private sector providers get a large, steady revenue stream. Iowa benefits from the technology investment of providers who deliver service across the ICN. Users in rural communities get affordable services connecting them to the world. On July 2, 2010, ICN receives $ 16.2 million for broadband infrastructure funding for its “Bridging the Digital Divide for Iowa Communities” grant project. ICN submitted
702-671: A sweeping tax reform bill that had widespread bipartisan support, passing the Iowa Senate by 44 votes to 6 and the Iowa House by 84 votes to 13. The bill, Senate File 295, provided for the state's largest tax cut in history, including an estimated $ 4.4 billion in property tax reform and an estimated $ 90 million of annual income tax relief, in part in the form of an increase in the earned income tax credit. The bill also included significant reforms to education and health care. A June 2013 Business Journals analysis of 45 of
756-544: A young official from Hebei Province, headed a five-man agricultural delegation to Iowa. Branstad's hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee was held on May 2, 2017. Branstad was confirmed by the Senate on May 22, 2017, in an 82 to 13 vote. He resigned as governor on May 24, 2017, in a ceremony at the Iowa State House, and was immediately sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to China. His appointment marked
810-744: Is an American politician and former diplomat. A member of the Republican Party , he served three terms in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1973 to 1979 before serving as the 39th Governor of Iowa from 1983 to 1999 and again as the 42nd Governor of the state from 2011 to 2017. He is the longest-serving governor in United States history. Branstad served as the United States Ambassador to China from 2017 to 2020 under President Donald Trump . Branstad served as
864-593: Is operated by the Iowa Public Broadcasting Board , an agency of the state education department which holds the licenses for all the PBS member stations in the state. Iowa PBS' headquarters are located at 6450 Corporate Drive in Johnston, Iowa , a suburb of Des Moines . Iowa is a pioneer in educational broadcasting; it is home to two of the oldest educational radio broadcast stations in the world,
918-789: The International School of Beijing as a third grade teacher. Marcus was appointed by his father to the Iowa Natural Resources Commission in 2013 and works as a lobbyist for the American Chemistry Council . Branstad is a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He received the honor of "Knight Commander of the Court of Honor" in 2015. In 2015 longtime newspaperman and Iowa historian Mike Chapman published
972-908: The National Governors Association in 1989–1990, and also was Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association . In 1997 he chaired the Education Commission of the States , the Republican Governors Association , and the Governors' Ethanol Coalition. In 1983 Branstad vetoed a bill to establish a state lottery. Branstad made reinstatement of the death penalty a central focus of his 1994 re-election campaign; however, despite successfully being re-elected, he
1026-661: The President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education . The commission was charged with developing a plan to improve the educational performance of students with disabilities. After completing his work with the commission in 2003, Branstad was asked to serve as a member of the National Advisory Council for Positive Action for Teen Health, or PATH. The advisory council encourages action to detect adolescent mental illness. In April 2003 Branstad
1080-659: The University of Iowa 's WSUI and Iowa State University 's WOI . The electrical engineering department at the State University of Iowa (SUI) in Iowa City demonstrated television with an exhibit at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on August 28, 1931. J. L. Potter supervised the project. At the conclusion of the Iowa State Fair, the television experiment was set up in the communications laboratory of
1134-654: The legislature to approve budget reforms until 1992. By 1999 Iowa had an unprecedented $ 900 million budget surplus. Branstad focused most of his efforts outside of politics after leaving office in early 1999. He founded Branstad and Associates, LLC and was also a partner in the firm of Kaufman, Pattee, Branstad & Miller and a financial advisor for Robert W. Baird and Co. In August 2003 Branstad accepted an offer from Des Moines University to become its president. On October 16, 2009, he announced his retirement from Des Moines University to run again for governor. President George W. Bush appointed Branstad to chair
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#17327987080601188-493: The 1948 Freeze and began commercial broadcast operations in 1950 and carried some National Educational Television programming. Des Moines Public Schools applied for the channel 11 allocation and signed on KDPS-TV as the educational station for central Iowa in 1959. However, in the 1960s the only other areas of the state with a clear signal from an educational station were the southwest (from Nebraska ETV 's KYNE-TV in Omaha ), and
1242-421: The 39th governor of Iowa from 1983 to 1999. Following this initial retirement from politics, he served as President of Des Moines University , a private medical osteopathic school, from 2003 to 2009. In 2010, Branstad returned to Iowa politics, running for governor again and defeating Democratic incumbent Chet Culver to become the state's 42nd governor. His tenure of 22 years, 4 months, and 13 days makes him
1296-566: The ICN is linked to. Physically, the central operations hub of the ICN resides within Iowa National Guard State Area Command (STARC) Armory Complex, near Camp Dodge. This grants the network a degree of physical security against disruption in the event of a state or national emergency. With sites in over 400 K12 schools, 170 post-secondary institution classrooms, and 50 libraries, providing Educational-access television cable TV capabilities to all Iowans in
1350-411: The ICN when emergencies are declared by the governor. HLSEM can also use the ICN for emergency response training and exercises. It can create a command-to-command communications network that covers the entire state in times of emergency. In the case of an urgent situation, this will allow independent agencies to be organized at the county level as well as being connected on a larger scale with everyone whom
1404-484: The Iowa Communications Network has been integrated into a Telejustice system, a way of using two-way interactive video to reduce the expense of expert witnesses and allows crime victims to testify at parole hearings without the inconvenience and tension associated with traveling to a meeting where an inmate was present. After September 2001, the ICN became an important device for the security of
1458-493: The Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission (ITTC) in 1994. In 1995, the governor established a plan for Part III of the network. This four-year plan added full-motion video sites to public and private school districts, AEAs, and public libraries throughout Iowa. At the turn of the century the 700th full-motion video classroom was connected to the ICN, surpassing the original plan which only called for
1512-613: The Network under Part III legislation. In March 2005, the ICN became debt free and no longer receives general fund appropriations. To date over 231 million dollars has been invested by state and federal government in the development of the network. http://www.icn.iowa.gov/ ICN sunsetted its video service in 2020. Iowa Communications Network allows citizens to take advantage of Telemedicine , which makes specialty care more accessible to rural Iowans and simplifies provider education by allowing rural health practitioners to “attend” educational programs without leaving their communities. As well,
1566-419: The United States a better perception of Tibet and its people, cultural practices, and life. Branstad stepped down as U.S. Ambassador to China in early October 2020, at the request of President Donald Trump to help with his 2020 presidential campaign. Branstad married Christine Johnson on June 17, 1972. They have three children, Eric , Allison, and Marcus, and eight grandchildren. His wife has worked as
1620-630: The University of Northern Iowa have helped more than 9000 teachers, medical professionals, librarians, state employees, and other Iowans to use the ICN effectively. In FY2007, over 50,000 Iowa students and teachers benefited from distance learning opportunities delivered over the Iowa Communications Network. Almost 7,000 of these hours of learning were delivered through Iowa Public Television 's K-12 Connections programming, providing opportunities for students, educators, and school personnel to learn through live, interactive sessions provided at no cost to
1674-510: The country's 50 governors ranked Branstad 28th in job creation. The ranking was based on a comparison of the annual private sector growth rate in all 50 states using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On April 13, 2017, with large Republican majorities in the Iowa legislature, Branstad signed a bill into law expanding gun rights , enacting a stand-your-ground law , expanding the right of citizens to sue if they believe their Second Amendment rights are being infringed, and expanding
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1728-510: The electrical engineering building at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. By 1933, the University of Iowa received an FCC license for experimental TV station W9XK, later W9XUI, providing twice a week video programming, with WSUI radio providing the audio channel. By 1939, the FCC allocated TV channels 1 and 12 for W9XUI. This early attempt at educational broadcasting ended by December 1941, with
1782-524: The end, a color standard was chosen, 242 channels were designated for educational non-commercial use, strict rules separated stations sharing channels, channel allocation was resolved with an assignment table, and the entire spectrum of UHF band channels was authorized for use. In 1951, the university supported the reallocation of channel 11 to Des Moines for an educational television station there. Meanwhile, Iowa State University 's WOI-TV in Ames avoided
1836-527: The entrance of the United States into World War II . The University of Iowa later applied for a construction permit for station WSUI-TV on channel 11 in February 1948. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) froze the granting of new television licenses, on September 30, 1948. The FCC, at the time, was swamped with hundreds of requests for licensing. It was creating a problem for allocation and causing interference issues. The FCC wanted time to study
1890-563: The gun rights of minors, among several other provisions. Branstad's business-friendly appointments to the Iowa Utilities Board were controversial. They have "virtually assured" approval of the Iowa section of the Dakota Access pipeline. His last appointment was that of Richard W. Lozier Jr. , who represented a pro-pipeline lobby group and who had to recuse himself one month after he joined in 2017. On July 15, 2019,
1944-464: The issues and work towards a better overall solution. The freeze, originally set to last just six months, was extended when the Korean War began. Plus, the issues the FCC was trying to resolve were complicated and many. It ended up taking four years to end the freeze. The April 14, 1952, FCC "6th Report and Order" effectively lifted the freeze. The decisions had been made on all five dilemmas. In
1998-683: The longest-serving governor in American history, having surpassed George Clinton 's record of 20 years, 11 months, and 2 days on 14 December 2015. In December 2016, Branstad accepted President Donald Trump 's nomination to serve as the United States Ambassador to China. Branstad resigned as governor of Iowa on May 24, 2017 and was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to China on July 12, 2017. In 2020, Branstad resigned as Ambassador to China in order to work on President Trump's 2020 reelection campaign . On January 24, 2023, it
2052-400: The network when one fiber optic endpoint was installed per county. In 1992 parts of the new fiber-optic system were activated. The network became operational in 1993 and by the next year the new network offered a full motion video connection to all 99 Iowa counties, its 3 state universities, public television, and state government. The Iowa Communications Network became a state agency directed by
2106-484: The network; all stations have callsigns beginning with the letter K, as licensed by the FCC, and ending in IN (standing for Iowa Network). Aside from their transmitters, the network's stations (except KDIN-TV) do not maintain any physical presence in their cities of license. Download coordinates as: In 2012, an application was filed for a digital replacement translator to extend coverage of KRIN into Dubuque. The application
2160-778: The northwest (from South Dakota ETV 's KUSD-TV in Vermillion ). In 1969, the state of Iowa bought KDPS-TV from the Des Moines Public Schools and changed its calls to KDIN-TV, intending it to be the linchpin of a statewide educational television network. As part of the state's ambition, it rebranded KDIN as the Iowa Educational Broadcasting Network. The network's second station, KIIN-TV in Iowa City, joined IEBN in 1970 to expand statewide educational programming to eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois . Soon afterward, IEBN became
2214-579: The post at Arlington National Cemetery , where she was planning to attend an antiwar protest . Branstad served three terms in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1973 to 1979 and was the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa from 1979 to 1983, the year he was first elected governor. When he took office as governor at age 36, Branstad became the youngest chief executive in Iowa's history. Reelected in 1986, 1990, and 1994, he left office as Iowa's longest-serving governor. He served as Chairman of
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2268-501: The present time, they do not carry the three subchannels. The network restored over-the-air 24-hour service on January 15, 2019; late night programming mainly consists of the national PBS schedule. In 1970, Friends of Iowa Public Television (Iowa Public Television Foundation Board) was created for the development, growth and support of Iowa PBS through the building of a strong statewide membership base. Its 65,000 member households across Iowa and bordering states contribute nearly 90% of
2322-495: The reporting of Iowa's finances during his tenure as governor. Branstad ran for reelection in 2014. He was opposed in the Republican primary by Tom Hoefling , a political activist and nominee for president in 2012 for both America's Party and American Independent Party . Branstad won the primary with 83% of the vote. In the general election, Branstad faced Democratic nominee State Senator Jack Hatch and won with 59% of
2376-529: The state of Iowa and its inhabitants. The ICN has been a valuable tool for the National Emergency Action agencies. The Iowa Department of Public Health has used the network to teach medical professionals around the state about bioterrorism. It has reduced response times and assisted in the recovery process during emergencies. http://www.icn.iowa.gov/ Recent legislation now allows Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HLSEM) to use
2430-732: The state's General Services Department before Governor Terry Branstad signed a bill creating Iowa Public Television as a separate state agency on May 16, 1983. In 1986, IPTV became part of the state's Cultural Affairs Department, and on July 1, 1992, IPTV became part of the Iowa Department of Education. Combined, the nine Iowa PBS stations reach almost all of Iowa and portions of the surrounding states of Illinois, Minnesota , Missouri , Nebraska , South Dakota , and Wisconsin . On December 2, 2019, IPTV announced that it would rebrand as Iowa PBS in 2020, in alignment with PBS' new national brand identity. Nine full-power TV stations make up
2484-495: The state. ICN’s CCI grant included partnering efforts with key anchor institutions throughout Iowa, such as Iowa Health System, Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi, community colleges, and several state agencies. ICN’s grant will enable many public and private partnerships to be established, specifically with Iowa’s local telecommunication providers. Terry Branstad Terry Edward Branstad (born November 17, 1946)
2538-404: The students, teachers, or school districts. Through the free K-12 Connections experience, students interact live with presenters and students attending the session from other schools or libraries. Professional development sessions are provided for teachers and other district staff. The ICN buys telecommunications services from private providers in large volume and resells these services to users at
2592-469: The third time in a decade that a politician resigned a statewide office to become the Ambassador to China; Jon Huntsman Jr. resigned as governor of Utah in 2009, and Max Baucus resigned as U.S. senator from Montana in 2014. In May 2019, Branstad traveled to Tibet Autonomous Region amid heightening trade tensions between the United States and China. This diplomatic journey was designed to give
2646-425: The vote. Branstad rescinded an executive order signed by governor Tom Vilsack that restored voting rights to approximately 115,000 felons who had completed their sentences. Iowa was the last remaining state to have felons permanently disenfranchised until 2020, when Branstad's successor, Kim Reynolds, restored voting rights for some felons who had completed their sentences. In June 2013, Branstad signed into law
2700-517: Was actively considering seeking the Republican nomination for governor. On October 7, Branstad filed papers to run for governor in the 2010 election. According to a September Des Moines Register poll, he maintained a 70% favorability rating from Iowans as compared to Governor Chet Culver 's rating of 50%. On June 8, 2010, Branstad won the Republican gubernatorial nomination, but when opposing candidate Bob Vander Plaats conceded, he did not endorse Branstad. The Des Moines Tea Party gave Branstad
2754-600: Was announced that Branstad would take over as the new president of the World Food Prize Foundation. Branstad was born in Leland, Iowa . His father was Edward Arnold Branstad, a farmer; his mother was Rita (née Garland). Branstad's mother was Jewish, and his father was a Norwegian American Lutheran . Branstad was raised Lutheran and later converted to Catholicism. He is a second cousin of US Attorney-General Merrick Garland . Branstad received
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#17327987080602808-691: Was named a public member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants , which comprises both professional and public members who address a variety of issues related to accounting. Branstad serves on the boards of Conmed Health Management Inc, American Future Fund , the Iowa Health System , Liberty Bank , the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and Living History Farms . On August 2, 2009, The Des Moines Register reported that Branstad
2862-473: Was unable to implement this policy due to opposition from Democrats in the Iowa State Senate . Iowa's unemployment rate went from 8.5% when Branstad took office to a record low 2.5% by the time he left office in 1999. In his first year as governor, the state budget had a $ 90 million deficit. It took several years until the budget was balanced. Branstad said he did not have enough support in
2916-652: Was withdrawn in October 2024. The signals of the Iowa PBS stations are multiplexed: Iowa PBS (as IPTV) shut down its stations' analog signals on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital channel allocations post-transition are as follows: Starting August 31, 2013, Iowa PBS (as IPTV) had gone off-the-air nightly from midnight to 5 a.m. over-the-air due to budget concerns, reduced from
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