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01 September 2010
An Iowa senator is organizing a boycott of businesses that advertise during WHO-AM talk radio’s Jan Mickelson program.
His first target: Toyota of Des Moines even though he drives a vehicle purchased from the dealership.
“It’s the last one I’m ever going to own, that’s for sure,” said Sen. Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines.
Mickelson is a conservative host who said during a show broadcast from the Iowa State Fair last month that some AIDS education efforts destigmatize the “stupid behavior” of homosexuality. He likened AIDS to lung disease, cirrhosis of the liver and heart disease.
The station later ran a clarification noting that Mickelson is entitled to his opinions but that the statements confused medical fact and contained factual errors in the spread of the disease.
McCoy, who is gay, urged friends on his Facebook page to stop buying from the dealership. He said there are plans to launch a website to encourage boycotts of other businesses that sponsor Mickelson or other programs that speak inaccurately or unfairly about gay and lesbians.
Grants will be awarded to construction projects that prevent future disasters and use smart planning techniques, such as sustainable designs for low-impact development. This includes replacement or reconstruction of local public buildings to mitigate damages from future flooding and other disasters.
Iowa also scored well for quality of life, economy, education, business friendliness and cost of living. For more on the study, go to 
