Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded a new report from the White House Broadband Opportunity Council that details coordinated steps to expand access to high speed internet in poorly connected areas over the next 18 months. The report says more than 25 percent of US households do not have high speed internet because of income or geography. The Broadband Opportunity Council is chaired by Penny Pritzker, Secretary of the US Department of Commerce and Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture.

Earlier this summer, Loebsack joined with fellow Members to call on the Council to modernize regulations for Rural Utility Service's (RUS) Telecommunications Program to better facilitate high speed rural broadband development. The report calls for the RUS program to revise their regulations, which will open additional funding opportunities. Loebsack is a member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over broadband issues.

"Ensuring everyone has access to high speed internet, no matter where they live, is important for rural economic development, education, job growth, businesses, farmers, and families across Iowa," said Loebsack. "I have met with many small businesses, farmers, and rural telecommunication companies who have stressed the importance of expanding high speed internet to rural areas. Broadband also gives small and rural schools the power to vastly expand their educational options, providing students with a cutting-edge 21st Century education regardless of geography.

"I am pleased President Obama, along with Secretaries Pritzker and Vilsack, laid out this plan to make sure Iowans and others in rural areas are not left behind. Expanding broadband is critical for all Iowans."

Moving forward, the federal government has made four specific commitments in response to the report to expand high speed internet, including:

·         Changing federal programs to allow broadband as an eligible expense in communities participating in the programs;

·         Creating an online inventory with details on federal assets such as telecommunications towers;

·         Streamlining applications for broadband to allow faster deployment and boost competition;

·         Creating an online information hub for communities to learn about federal broadband loan programs.

The 44th annual Quad Cities CROP Hunger Walk is taking place here in Davenport and Rock Island on Sunday, October 4th. Registration begins at 1pm, and the walk steps off at 2pm from Modern Woodmen Park.

An estimated 600 walkers will stroll through downtown Davenport, cross the Centennial Bridge, walk around the District of Rock Island, and back across the bridge to the stadium.  This six mile trek symbolizes the walk that a person (usually a woman) in a third-world country makes daily for fresh water.

Participants in the CROP Hunger Walk collect donations from family, friends, co-workers, etc. to help raise money for hunger programs locally and globally.  Here in the Quad Cities, money goes to agencies like Kid's Cafe, Churches United, EFNEP, Meal Service of Scott County, and Humility of Mary Shelter.  Global funds are distributed by Church World Service.

Although this is a faith-based event and most of the walkers are from teams from their local churches and synogogues, any one is invited to walk and help us "end hunger one step at a time."  Please visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/qccropwalk for more information or to send your questions via the message feature.

Follow local churches and their online donations by going to www.crophungerwalk.org/quadcities

Heart of America Group is pleased to announce the opening of the Figge Café, a casual lunch café which is located within the Figge Art Museum at 225 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801. Lunch will be served every weekday the museum is open, Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. 

If the museum is closed during the week for a holiday, the Café will also be closed.

Chef Steve Hall will provide a new menu each week as he sources both fresh and local food options to feature, when possible. The menu will include a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts as well as Cappuccino and Espresso.  

Heart of America has been a catering partner for the Figge since 2010. The Café will add an additional attraction to the museum and as well as provide additional lunch options to the entire downtown area.

The Quad Cities based Heart of America Group owns and operates 20 restaurants in six states including The Machine Shed, Thunder Bay Grille and The J Bar in Davenport, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse in Moline and Gramma's Kitchen/Checkered Flag near Walcott.

# # #

Des Moines, September 23, 2015- On Wednesday, October 14, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Newton. The proceeding will take place in the Newton High School Auditorium, 800 East 4th Street South. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.

http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Media/news_releases/NewsItem77/index.asp

The Iowa Court of Appeals today posted opinions to the Judicial Branch website.

http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Court_of_Appeals/Court_of_Appeals_Opinions/