Homers -- What's going right

ONLINE TOOL ABOUT DRUG TRENDS: The Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy launched “The Connection,” an online newsletter that advises parents, educators and other Iowans about the latest drug abuse trends and concerns: http://www.iowa.gov/odcp/drug_alerts/alerts.html#. The Sept. 5 post warns of a growing use by young people of vaporizing (smoking) alcohol - much more dangerous than getting drunk.

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FASTER: The driver's license station near Collins Road in northeast Cedar Rapids has a new tool to speed up the renewal process at the state's second-busiest facility: a kiosk that allows drivers to complete the process within a few minutes instead of standing in a long line. Initial reaction from users has been positive.

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MORE WOMEN: We're glad to see that three of the five candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination for Iowa's 1st Congressional District seat are women. And just last week, Renee Schulte, a former state legislator, confirmed she's considering a run for the Republican nomination against two men. The women's interest is especially significant given Iowa is one of six states that has never elected a woman to the U.S. House.