Author: Carl Olsen (Carl Olsen)

A freelance travel writer based in Des Moines writes a blog entry about Urban Plains, the all-digital publication launched Dec. 9 by a group of Drake senior magazine majors. Urban Plains is online at http://www.urbanplainsmag-digital.com.

Senior Erin Bramhall says the repeal of tax credits that "American energy companies depend on" would result in increased energy prices for businesses and consumers. She says such a repeal would force companies to layoff staff and/or not hire new employees.

Drake law prof. Robert Rigg says the Nov. 2 election that ousted three Iowa Supreme Court justices may have a chilling effect on new candidates. He also says a different set of candidates may apply.

Drake alumna Brenna Findley, who earned a bachelor's degree in political science, will serve as legal counsel in the administration of Iowa Gov.-elect Terry Branstad, a Drake Law School alumnus. Branstad said, "Brenna Findley has a talented, sharp legal mind and her knowledge and work ethic will be valued in my administration."

Drake Law School alumna Lisa Zell was named senior vice president and leadership counsel of CHS Inc., a diversified energy, grains and foods company based in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Iowa plans to Internet live-stream the interviews of Iowa Supreme Court candidates in January. "People are going to be bored out of their minds," says Drake law professor Robert Rigg. "A lot of those questions are going to involve procedural issues. Have you ever looked at the Iowa Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure? Mmmm, boy, yeah. Juicy stuff."

Brenton Brown, who received a music education degree at Drake University, has penned his first musical, "Ebenezer," with nearly 100 cast members set to perform Dec. 17 to Dec. 19 at The Bridge in Johnston, Ia.

Drake law professor James Albert comments on three lawsuits filed after a quadruple fatal vehicle collision in Little Sioux, Ia. But Albert said money hardly matters to those who have lost a loved one. "It's about holding people accountable for what they have done," Albert said. "Money doesn't bring anybody back from Christmas."

Drake University alumnus Igor Dobrosavljevic, chief operating officer of BitMethod in Des Moines, said people often ask whether working for the startup company that builds smartphone and web apps is a money-making proposition. "We wouldn't be at the top of the Liberty Building if we weren't paying ourselves," he said.

A team of undergraduate students from Drake University earned a second place finish in the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation 2010 Collegiate Echo Direct/Interactive Marketing Challenge.