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RISING STAR: Marion state Sen. Swati Dandekar, D-Marion, continues to accelerate her political leadership presence. Wednesday, she was installed as chair of the National Foundation for Women Legislators. Dandekar also will serve as president of the National Order of Women Legislators, the membership arm of NFWL. Dandekar previously served in the Iowa House, initially elected in 2002 when she became the first person of Indian origin to win a seat in the House.

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INSPIRING: Hats off to Matt Stutzman. Born without arms, the 28-year-old from Richland (Keokuk County) has learned to do just about everything with his feet - including competing at a high level in archery, where he has hopes of making the Olympic team.

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BOEING'S BOUNCE: Boeing's big victory in landing the Defense Department's fiercely contested $30 billion aerial refueling tanker contract is also a big win for Rockwell Collins of Cedar Rapids and other Iowa companies. Of the project's estimated impact of 50,000 jobs nationwide, about 800 are expected to come to Iowa, including 200 at Rockwell.

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