06 Nov 2015

Iowa AFL-CIO on Administration Releasing Text of TPP Deal

By Lance Coles

Iowa AFL-CIO President Ken Sagar made the following statement after the release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) text:

 

For years, this trade deal has been negotiated in secret, finally today the public will have a chance to see the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Working people will be able to see for themselves if this deal benefits America's working families over profit driven corporations.

Despite suggestions from the faith community, environmentalists, labor and many others, to date, there's no indication that improvements have been made to address labor standards, environmental protections or provisions that give corporations incentives to relocate American jobs to low-wage countries.

We will examine the text to see if enforceable currency rules exist, whether many Buy American & Buy Local policies are waived, and if the deal will raise the price of life-saving medicines. If these issues are not addressed, the AFL-CIO as the voice of organized working people in Iowa cannot support this agreement.

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06 Nov 2015

Loebsack Applauds Passage of Long Term Highway Bill

By Joe Hand

Amendment cosponsored by Loebsack to support bus transit systems included

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House passed a six year, bipartisan Highway Reauthorization bill. Loebsack helped lead the fight to include a bipartisan provision that will make additional funding available for a competitive grant program supporting bus transit services in Iowa and nationwide. The legislation now heads to a Conference Committee where the differences between the House bill and the legislation that passed the Senate earlier this year will be worked out.

"I am pleased that Democrats and Republicans could come together and pass a bipartisan, long term transportation bill. This bill will help create jobs in Iowa and give communities the certainty needed to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements.

"It is clear to any Iowan who drives a car or truck, rides the rails or flies in an airplane that a long-term highway plan is badly needed. A modern, safe and efficient transportation authorization will not only create jobs now for the construction industry, but it will also set the stage for long term job creation and economic growth. While the work on this legislation is not yet finished, this is a step in the right direction by investing in infrastructure so our businesses and farmers can compete effectively in the 21st Century global economy."

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06 Nov 2015

Governor Rauner Announces Top Students to be Honored by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

By Catherine Kelly

Ceremony at Old State Capitol Recognizes the Top Students from Each College and University in Illinois

 

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner today announced this year's outstanding college students who will be honored by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. The Academy will recognize the following students during the annual Student Laureate Convocation at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 7 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

"Civic engagement, as exemplified by President Lincoln, is crucial to our democracy and the process of our government," said Governor Rauner. "The young men and women receiving this recognition today embody the spirit of President Lincoln through their hard work and dedication to their schools and communities."

The Lincoln Academy's Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Awards are presented for excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities to seniors from each of the state's four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and one student from the community colleges in Illinois.  At the Student Laureate Convocation, each student will receive a Student Laureate Medallion, along with a $1,000 educational grant and a certificate of achievement. This is the 41st year Lincoln Academy has celebrated students' excellence in Illinois.

Student Laureate Cynthia J. Avila of the University of Chicago will speak on behalf of all the Laureates.  The invocation will be delivered by Dr. Stanley R. Liberty, Interim President of Bradley University, and the benediction will be delivered by Eureka College President J. David Arnold.  The Sangamon Woodwind Consort will provide music, and a luncheon at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel will follow the Student Laureate Convocation.

The Lincoln Academy, unique among the 50 states, was established more than 50 years ago to honor distinguished citizens with the state's highest award, the Order of Lincoln.  The 52nd Annual Convocation and Investiture of Laureates of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois will take place Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the historic Marriott Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria.

STUDENT LAUREATES

 

School                         Student                                Home Town 

Augustana College                                Aubrey Waddick                        Algonquin, IL

Aurora University                                Sherry A. Maschmeyer                                 Frankfort, IL

Benedictine University                     Dana V. Cairns                                Lombard, IL

Blackburn College                                Sarah Collman                                 New Douglas, IL

Bradley University                                Kristin Kreher                                Smithton, IL

Columbia College - Chicago                           Lance T. Cox                                 Rockford, IL

Concordia University Chicago                     Kayla E. Lohman                                Kirkwood, MO

DePaul University                                Nicole May                                Lemont, IL

Dominican University                                Cutberto Aguayo                                Chicago, IL

Eastern Illinois University                          Shirmeen Ahmad                                 Romeoville, IL

East-West University                                Ghada M. Morrar                                Chicago, IL

Elmhurst College                                Angil J. Tate                                Atlanta, GA

Eureka College                        Michael A. Sain, II                                Reynoldsburg, OH

Governors State University                            Jerry Davis el                                Richton Park, IL

Greenville College                                Nathan Kriebel                                Brookston, IN

Illinois College                                Kavita K. Patel                                Princeton, IL

Illinois Institute of Technology                     Pooja Agarwal                        Chicago, IL

Illinois State University                         Maureen R. Christensen                                Normal, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University                    Nicole M. Jovicevice                                Des Plaines, IL

Judson University                                Ethan R. Adams                                 Springfield, IL

Knox College                                Sophia D. Croll                                Cambridge, MA

Lake Forest College                                Benjamin Labaschin                      Northbrook, IL

Lewis University                     Jessica L. Tennant                        Burr Ridge, IL

Lincoln College                        Cody R. Garretson                      New Holland, IL

Loyola University Chicago                        Ashley Rogers                         Evergreen Park, IL

MacMurray College                        Shannon M. Young                          Carmel, IN

McKendree University                     Kenneth O'Dell Jr.                            Carlyle, IL

Millikin University                     Alexander H. Koulos                         Naperville, IL

Monmouth College                        Drake A. Decker                         Davenport, IA

National Louis University                     Jeanette Kyle                           Chicago, IL

North Central College                        Jack A. Ryan                           Oswego, IL

North Park University                     Carmen Velazquez-Alvarez              Hanford, CA

Northeastern Illinois University               Emily Fioramonti                     Chicago, IL

Northern Illinois University                     Kiranjit Gill                           Palatine, IL

Olivet Nazarene University                     Chelsea Risinger                       Tremont, IL

Principia College                        Shontee M. Pant                           Coppell, TX

Quincy University                     Catherine Richards                       Quincy, IL

Rock Valley College                        Matilyn N. Bindl                          Belvidere, IL

Rockford University                     Angela Martinez                       Rockford, IL

Roosevelt University                     Lacy N. Reyna                          Winterest, IA

St. Xavier University                     Anna E. Goldman                        Eagan, MN

School of the Art Institute of Chicago         Florian Palluci                        Berwyn, IL

Southern Illinois Univ. Carbondale        Savannah L. McCord                         St. Louis, MO

Southern Illinois Univ. Edwardsville      Joshua G. Pritsolas                      Glen Carbon, IL

The University of Chicago                        Cynthia J. Avila                          Chicago, IL

Trinity Christian College                        Halie A. Wisse                          Oostburg, WI

Trinity International University                 Richard J. Davis                          Arlington Heights, IL

University of Illinois Chicago                       Taylor R. Casino                         Champaign, IL

University of Illinois Springfield                    Hannah Cave                           Esmond, IL

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  Monica S. Chen                           Buffalo Grove, IL

University of St. Francis                        Laura Muñoz Lopez                          Simpsonville, SC

VanderCook College of Music                      Kendall C. Jones                          Lake Villa, IL

Western Illinois University                     Hannah F. Drake                          Charleston, IL

Wheaton College                        Kyle L. Mellinger                      Ladera Ranch, CA

 

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06 Nov 2015

Iowa Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments at West Des Moines Valley High School

By Iowa Judicial Branch

Des Moines, November 5, 2015– On Monday, November 16, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in West Des Moines, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in the Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School, 3650 Woodland Avenue. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.

The court will hear attorneys argue in one case:

State of Iowa v. Donald Benjamin Earl Reed, case no. 13-0988, from Black Hawk County District Court

Defendant Donald Reed seeks further review of an Iowa Court of Appeals decision affirming his convictions on a variety of drug-related charges and affirming the sentence of 100 years imposed on him that was enhanced by a prior juvenile adjudication. Issues before the Iowa Supreme Court include whether the evidence at trial was sufficient to support the convictions, whether trial counsel was ineffective, and whether the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the Iowa Constitution affords defendant an individualized evidentiary sentencing hearing.

Attorneys' briefs for the cases and a guide to oral arguments are posted on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/Offsite_Oral_Arguments_Des_Moines/index.asp

A public reception with the supreme court justices will follow the oral arguments in the Staplin Center lobby. The reception is sponsored by the Polk County Bar Association.

Note to Editors: News media are invited to attend the oral arguments. Court rules apply regarding still camera, video camera, audio recording devices, and other electronic devices used during the oral arguments. Information on expanded media coverage is available on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Media/Expanded_News_Media_Coverage/

The Iowa Court Rules regarding cameras and other electronic devices in courtrooms are on the Iowa Legislature website at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CR/LINC/04-30-2014.chapter.25.pdf

 

 

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06 Nov 2015

Augustana is Digitizing Hauberg Glass Plate Images

By Samantha Crisp

The Special Collections department of the Thomas Tredway Library, Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., has received a $3,094 grant to digitize materials from the John Henry Hauberg papers. This grant was awarded by the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board, through funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), National Archives and Records Administration.

John Henry Hauberg (1869-1955) was a researcher and photographer active in the Quad City area in the early 20th century. He spent nearly all of his spare time researching and photographing topics of historical interest to the Quad Cities and Illinois, and he compiled some 150 unpublished volumes of Illinois history over the course of his life. The hallmark of Hauberg's collection is his photography, which includes approximately 8,000 glass plate images. This project will target 1,500 of the most historically significant glass plate images related to Native American culture and landscapes (primarily focusing on local Sauk/Fox/Meskwaki tribes), Quad Cities scenes, the Rock Island Arsenal, Black Hawk State Historic Site, and the Denkmann-Hauberg West End Settlement in Rock Island. Many of these photographs are entirely unprecedented in the historical record.

). For information on project developments, accessing the materials, or any other questions, please contact Samantha Crisp, Special Collections Librarian, at 309-794-7317 or specialcollections@augustana.edu.

06 Nov 2015

Iowa Federal Judicial Nominees Clear Committee

By Grassley Press

Senate Judiciary Committee Clears Iowa Federal Judicial Nominees

Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that the committee cleared the Iowa nominees for the open judgeships in both of the state's federal district courts.

Judge Leonard Strand and Judge Rebecca Ebinger had been nominated by the President to fill federal judgeships on both the Northern and Southern District Courts of Iowa.  The nominations must now be considered by the full Senate.

"I was glad to shepherd these two outstanding Iowans through my committee.  With such impeccable credentials, it makes my job a lot easier," Grassley said.  "I appreciate the White House working with me to move these nominations forward."

Grassley recommended Strand and Ebinger to the White House after an extensive effort by a Judicial Selection Commission that Grassley formed after two judges announced their intention to take senior status.  The commission was comprised of highly qualified members of the Iowa legal community, and led by Cynthia Moser, a former Iowa State Bar Association president. The commission also included Richard Sapp, Jeffrey Goodman, Harlan D. Hockenberg, and Adam Freed.

These lawyers spent hundreds of hours carefully reviewing applications and interviewing each of the 39 Iowans who submitted applications and sought consideration.  Eleven applicants were then selected to participate in a lengthy second interview.  The commission's review included not only these interviews, but also a thorough study and examination of the applicants' professional history, credentials, and qualifications.  The commission then made recommendations to Grassley, who - in consultation with Senator Joni Ernst - reviewed the candidates and their qualifications before submitting his recommendations to the White House.

Strand currently serves as a U.S. magistrate judge in Sioux City for the Northern District of Iowa.  He graduated first in his class from the College of Law at the University of Iowa and brings extensive experience in civil litigation from private practice in Cedar Rapids.

Ebinger is a state district judge in Polk County.  She graduated from Yale Law School, was an assistant U.S. attorney in both the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, and clerked for Judge Michael J. Melloy of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

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06 Nov 2015

New Look for Churches United

By Meredith Dennis

We at Churches United are excited to debut our new logo and website.  We hope you will find the site easier to navigate and our new logo more in line with the 21st century!

Thank you for your support of Churches United of the Quad City Area.
06 Nov 2015

Loebsack Calls on Branstad, CMS to Protect Wellbeing of Iowans on Medicaid

By Joe Hand

560,000 Iowans, or one out of every five residents, rely on Medicaid

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on Iowa Governor Branstad and the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to ensure the wellbeing of the approximately 560,000 Iowans if CMS approves the plan to transition to a to Medicaid managed care system. Currently, Governor Branstad is in the process of implementing a move to privatized management of Iowa's Medicaid program, which is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2016. Since the plan was first announced, Loebsack has expressed concern and has fought to ensure the transition does not negatively affect those on Medicaid, which often serves our state's most vulnerable populations, including low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities.

"In a previous letter sent May 15, 2015, I expressed concerns about the State of Iowa's proposed transition to Medicaid managed care." Loebsack wrote to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt. "I [remain] concerned about the very short period of time between the waiver request and the planned implementation date of January 1, 2016. I urge CMS to review the State of Iowa's Medicaid waiver request thoroughly. If this is not realistic, the agency should not approve a waiver request until it is certain that the transition will not disrupt care for medically needy Iowans."

In a separate letter to Governor Branstad, Loebsack wrote: "I have strong concerns about the State of Iowa's proposed transition to Medicaid managed care. I have heard from many patients, advocates, providers and other Iowans who share these concerns about the future of Medicaid patients. We must not allow Iowa's most vulnerable patients to fall through the cracks. I urge you to carefully consider the consequences this move will have on Iowans."

Copies of the letters to CMS and Governor Branstad can be found below.

Loebsack letter to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt

Loebsack letter to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad 

 

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06 Nov 2015

ISU Extension and Outreach Scott County Calendar, lNov 2015

By Amanda Heitz
November 6, 2015 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10-2 p.m

November 11, 2015 Ornamental & Turf Applicators Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 12, 2015 Parenting Successful Kids, Scott County Extension 5:30p.m.-7:30p.m.

November 17, 2015 Fumigation Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 18, 2015 Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Mgmt Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 26, 2015 EXTENSION OFFICE CLOSED

November 27, 2015 EXTENSION OFFICE CLOSED

December 1, 2015 Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

December 2, 2015 Pest Control Operators, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00a.m.-11:30a.m.

December 4, 2015 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m.

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/
06 Nov 2015

Investing in Opportunity in Indian Country

By USDA Office of Communications
Posted by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

USDA celebrates National Native American Heritage Month in November with a blog series focused on USDA's support of Tribal Nations and highlighting a number of our efforts throughout Indian Country and Alaska. Follow along on the USDA blog.

Earlier today, I met with leaders from the 566 federally-recognized Native nations who participated in the White House Tribal Nations Conference. This was the seventh of such conferences hosted by the Obama Administration, and built upon the President's commitment to strengthen the government-to-government relationship with Indian Country and to improve the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives, with an emphasis on increasing opportunity for Native youth.

All told, over the course of the Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture alone has invested nearly $3 billion in rural development projects that have helped Tribal members achieve the dream of homeownership; improved community facilities in Tribal communities; made critical upgrades to electric, water and telecommunications infrastructure that serve Tribal communities and members; and invested in the Tribal businesses and entrepreneurs who drive economic growth in Indian Country.

My conversation with Tribal leaders focused on three key areas: how public and private partners can drive infrastructure investment in Indian Country; how to expand access to capital for Tribal-owned businesses to spur economic growth in Indian Country; and how to strengthen services and programming for Tribal youth. An overarching theme of the conversation was how we can sustain and establish permanency for the good work done in partnership with Tribal leaders over the past seven years, as we move into the final year of the Administration.

Investments in strong, secure infrastructure in Indian Country?things like roads and bridges, but also internet access, housing and community facilities like hospitals and schools?help to improve connectivity and access to information, move products to market, and make communities competitive and attractive to businesses and investments. One of the ways we work to secure investment in these types of projects is through the Obama Administration's place-based initiatives, exemplified by the Tribal Promise Zones and USDA's StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity, which work with American Indian and Alaska Native communities across the country. Just this week, USDA announced an investment of $3.9 million to build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure, including one award for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in Minnesota and five awards in California, including Big Sandy Rancheria, two awards to the Cortina Band of Wintun Indians, the Grindstone Indian Rancheria, and the Yurok Tribe.

Upgraded facilities in particular can help to improve the quality of life in Tribal communities and provide state-of-the-art healthcare, education and training, particularly for young people. One of the most important things we can do for any child, no matter where they're born and raised, is to ensure that they have access to a high quality education and USDA has the resources to help. For example, USDA worked with Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota to update the substandard furniture students, faculty and staff used every day. USDA employees in South Dakota helped the school apply for a grant through the Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program, and Red Cloud Indian School was able to purchase new tables, desks and projectors. And earlier this year, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and I met with leadership from Native American LifeLines, an organization that serves Native American families in east Baltimore. During the meeting, we explored ways to better serve urban Native communities, including using urban agriculture as an opportunity to reconnect Native youth to the land and teach important lessons about healthy eating.

And to support higher education opportunities in Tribal communities, today, USDA announced nearly $2 million in grants to support research projects in American Indian communities through the Tribal College Research Grants Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. This funding builds on more than $115 million invested in Tribal post-secondary institutions by USDA over the past seven years. Projects from this year include research by Tohono O'odham Community College into new practices for food-seed storage and hospitable living in areas of extreme heat and drought through modernizing and increasing the energy efficiency of ancient architectural practices. Another project from Diné College will work on the most efficient way to propagate seeds of yucca species and identifying plants from five yucca species that exhibit superior qualities as food and fiber crops.

These are just a few examples of the myriad ways USDA works with Tribes. As 2015 comes to a close, we will continue to work with Tribes on a government-to-government basis, consulting and collaborating with them, and striving to ensure that they receive their fair share of support from USDA programs?support that not only provides jobs and educational opportunities, but also honors our promises and treaty responsibilities. Whether you are a Tribe interested in a wide variety of construction and business possibilities or a Tribal citizen interested in establishing or expanding your farm, ranch or small business, I encourage you to work with our Office of Tribal Relations to get a broad spectrum perspective on the resources available through USDA.

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