Homers: What's going right

STAYING HERE: Thousands of American jobs have been lost to other countries in the past decade. But Michigan-based Whirlpool says it's committed to keeping jobs within U.S. borders, including Iowa. The company backed it up by announcing a $20 million investment to improve its Amana plant. Coupled with some local and state government loan and tax assistance, it means 1,600 employees keep their jobs. Another 60 laid-off workers will be rehired for a new product line.

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IN SYNC: FEMA joined the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to allow the city of Cedar Rapids to buy out flood-damaged property at 107 percent of pre-flood assessed value, instead of the original 100 percent. About 100 of the buyouts will use FEMA funds; another 1,200 get HUD money. And, finally, buyout money is beginning to flow.

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WELL DESERVED: The City Council unanimously agreed to honor Cedar Rapids native and NFL star Kurt Warner by naming a drive near Kingston Stadium as Kurt Warner Way SW. Warner's football feats, humanitarian efforts and character certainly deserve such recognition.