Nearly a year ago, in August 2014, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa asked the Drug Enforcement Administration why it paid an Amtrak secretary $854,460 over 19 years for train passenger information it could have received for free, according to an inspector general report.  Grassley was and is concerned that the DEA might have paid for the information instead of working cooperatively with a drug enforcement task force to get the material at no cost.  The same month, the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General confirmed it "has been conducting an investigation of alleged payments for information by Drug Enforcement Administration personnel to an Amtrak employee."  Today, the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General issued an audit report entitled "Audit of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Confidential Source Policies and Oversight of Higher-Risk Confidential Sources."  The report does not specifically address the Amtrak informant payments.   Instead, it raises serious issues about the DEA's failure to oversee its agents' use of confidential sources.  Grassley, Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, made the following comment.

"The latest report confirms concerns raised by the Amtrak incident.  The DEA needs to do a better job of managing the handling of confidential informants.  When the agency overpays and fails to manage long-term informant relationships properly, that's both detrimental to taxpayers and can impede the agency's ability to use informants effectively to help enforce the law.   It's good news that the DEA agrees with the inspector general's recommendations.  The agency needs to implement the recommendations.  On the Amtrak incident, since it's been nearly a year since the inspector general confirmed an investigation, the results of the investigation seem overdue.  The inspector general should advise on where the investigation stands and release any results for the sake of accountability."

The report released today is available here.  More information on Grassley's work on this issue is available here.  

Event to be held at Novozymes in Blair, Neb.

(DES MOINES) - On Friday, Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts will discuss the potential impact on Nebraska and Iowa of the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to slash billions of gallons from the Renewable Fuel Standard, threatening thousands of jobs and the billions of dollars of investments by ethanol producers and technology providers in Nebraska and Iowa. Ricketts and Reynolds will be joined by leadership from Novozymes, Nebraska Farm Bureau, and other community leaders.

Ricketts, Reynolds and others will deliver brief remarks before taking questions. This event is open to credentialed media. Plant tours will be available following the conclusion of the program.

What: News conference on the importance of a robust Renewable Fuel Standard

When: 10-10:30am on Friday, July 24, 2015

Where: Novozymes, 600 S 1st in Blair, Nebraska

Who: Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will be joined by:

·        Novozymes General Manager (Blair) Kyle Nixon

·        Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson

·        Agriculture and community leaders

Social Media: Follow the event on social media by using #RFSworks.

Highlights of Iowa leaders' engagement on the RFS include :

• State and Federal elected officials, including Gov. Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds, participated in a "Defend the RFS" event.
• Gov. Branstad traveled to Washington, DC, joining a group of Iowa farmers and biofuels producers, to testify at the Federal government's only public hearing and met with EPA Administrator McCarthy.
• Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds, Secretary Bill Northey and the entire Iowa congressional delegation sent a joint letter to Federal leaders advocating for the many benefits that flow from the RFS.
• Gov. Terry Branstad and Gov. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) penned an op-ed in support of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard.
• Gov. Terry Branstad brought together a bipartisan group of six governors to sign on to a letter to President Barack Obama, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing their support for a strong RFS.
• Leaders from across the Midwest joined Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds for their "Hearing in Heartland," which was open to all interested citizens; 83 panelists from across the Midwest Region spoke from the heart about the importance of the RFS to their livelihoods and a healthy rural economy while only two individuals expressed opposition to a robust RFS.
• Gov. Branstad, in his Condition of the State address, called on the Iowa Legislature to pass a resolution in support of a robust RFS. The Legislature unanimously passed bicameral, bipartisan resolutions calling for the EPA to reverse course and support a strong RFS. View the resolutions: House Resolution 101 | Senate Resolution 101
• State of Iowa leaders submitted formal comments to the EPA with current data and analysis that provides Federal leaders the opportunity and obligation to revise their initial volume obligations upward.
• Gov. Branstad testifies in support of a robust RFS before the EPA's hearing in Kansas City.
• Lt. Gov. Reynolds submits written testimony to the EPA in support of a robust RFS.

About Novozymes

Novozymes is a biotech company with a strong focus on enzyme production. We are committed to changing the very foundations of our industrial system for the better by using industrial biotechnology. As the world leader in bioinnovation we believe that by using industrial biotechnology we can potentially re-engineer thousands of everyday products to deliver enhanced sustainability performance, introducing energy cost savings, and decreased raw material costs for our customers. It is a compelling proposition, but one backed by strong evidence.

 

 

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Quad Cities ends regular season series with playoff opponent by scoring its most runs in two months

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 20, 2015) - Every player in the starting lineup contributed to the Quad Cities River Bandits' 17 hits, led by three each from shortstop Alex Bregman and first baseman Ryan Bottger, while designated hitter Drew Ferguson posted a career-high four RBIs in a 14-5 rout of the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 2,456 at Modern Woodmen Park Monday afternoon.

The River Bandits (15-10 second half, 60-33 overall) posted the highest single-game run total by any opponent of Cedar Rapids this season and scored 14 runs for the first time since a 14-10 win at Clinton May 18. Quad Cities also scored double-digit runs for the first time in 47 games since May 27, when the club won, 13-4, at home over Kane County. Monday's win also kept Quad Cities perfect in three series rubber matches with Cedar Rapids (13-12, 54-41). The River Bandits won all four series with the Kernels and finished 9-4 in their regular season meetings. The two teams will play each other next in the best-of-three first round of the Midwest League playoffs beginning Sept. 9.

River Bandits right-hander Elieser Hernandez made his first Midwest League start Monday and retired the first eight batters. He allowed two hits and one walk with six strikeouts in the first four innings. Right-hander Eric Peterson (5-4) began the fifth inning with an 11-0 lead and allowed four runs - two earned - on four hits and one walk with one strikeout in 2 2/3 innings. Right-hander Jorge Perez pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, striking out four batters, walking one and allowing a ninth-inning home run by Kernels center fielder Tanner English.

After the game was scoreless into the bottom of the third inning, Quad Cities reached the scoreboard in four straight innings from the third to the sixth innings. River Bandits center fielder Bobby Boyd began the five-run, 11-batter third inning with a leadoff single against Kernels right-hander Keaton Steele (2-3). Left fielder Jason Martin and Bregman drew consecutive walks, before All-Star third baseman Nick Tanielu grounded a two-run single down the first-base line. With runners at first and third bases, right fielder Ramon Laureano grounded into a fielder's choice, but second baseman Rafael Valera overthrew first base, so Bregman scored and Laureano went to second base. A passed ball moved Laureano to third base before Ferguson walked, ending Steele's outing. Against All-Star right-hander Jared Wilson, Ferguson stole second base, and catcher Garrett Stubbs brought in Laureano with a sacrifice fly to center field. Bottger hit a two-out RBI single over shortstop Sean Miller to make it 5-0. In the game's longest inning, the River Bandits had three hits and five of their six total walks. All five runs were earned against Steele, who allowed five hits and three walks with one strikeout in 2 1/3 innings.

In the fourth inning against Wilson, Bregman led off with an infield single to the shortstop hole and reached third base on Laureano's one-out single to left field. Laureano stole second base, giving Ferguson the opportunity to drive in his first two runs with a single into center field for a 7-0 lead. Wilson was charged with two earned runs on four hits with two walks and one strikeout in 1 2/3 innings.

In the fifth inning, Kernels left-hander Michael Theofanopoulous allowed Boyd's one-out single to left field, followed by Martin's double to left-center field and Bregman's RBI infield single off third baseman Pat Kelly for an 8-0 score. With two outs, Laureano placed an RBI single to left-center field, and Ferguson hit a two-run double down the left-field line to extend the lead to 11-0.

After the Kernels' first run came in the sixth inning, Bottger led off the bottom of the inning with the first home run of the season allowed by Kernels All-Star left-hander Cam Booser. A three-run Kernels seventh inning made it 12-4, but Kernels All-Star right-hander Randy LeBlanc walked Stubbs to begin the eighth inning that included two Kernels errors leading to Quad Cities' final two runs.

The River Bandits play their next nine games in 10 days on the road - the longest remaining road stretch for the club this season. Quad Cities begins a three-game series in Kane County at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. River Bandits right-hander Joshua James (2-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Chris Oliver (2-0) in the first second-half meeting between the teams with the league's two best overall records.

UP NEXT: Vote now until Monday for the Quad Cities River Bandits in the Quad-City Times Readers' Choice Awards. The River Bandits are up for Best Entertainment Venue, Best Family Entertainment, Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party, and Best Place to Take Out of Town Guest. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

News from Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (07/20/2015)(readMedia)-- Begin your "Fair Tour" with a wide variety of new discoveries to taste, watch and experience at this year's Iowa State Fair. New Fair foods, attractions and entertainment await you in addition to the many traditional Fair favorites.

Foods

This year's Fair foods feature over a dozen new items. New treats include food contest finalists Ultimate Bacon Brisket Bomb, Corn in a Cup, and Toasted Coconut Caramel Cluster. Try them all and vote for your favorite. Fair Squares, the official Fair treat, will also debut the newest flavor, Chocolate Marshmallow Malt, a tasty treat comprised of marshmallows, chocolate chips, cocoa puffs and malted milk powder.

Attractions

Whether you're a lifelong fairgoer or a day-tripping tourist, adventure and excitement are waiting for you at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Our Fair experts are already hard at work scouting out the best spots and unearthing hidden gems to customize a tour that is perfect for you and your travel companions. Whether you're a foodie, an avid animal lover, an entertainment junkie or just someone looking for the nooks and crannies around the Fairgrounds, you'll be able to leave knowing you saw the hottest spots around the grounds. Audio tours will be live starting August 13.

The first phase of Ruan Plaza, a pedestrian friendly plaza connecting Grand Avenue to the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center, will be complete for this year's Fair. The Plaza will feature a boulevard area with improved utilities and access for vendors and exhibitors. This beautification project will also include 20-foot wide walkways to allow for easier pathways from one end of the Fairgrounds to the other. Phases two and three will resume after the 2015 Fair.

Stop by the John Deere Agriculture Building to experience "It Takes an Iowan," a new interactive exhibit focused on Iowans as leaders in the ongoing effort of providing food for the nation and the world. The exhibit will highlight the advancement of technology to better produce food, as well as education about agriculture around the world. Learn that Iowans are not only leaders in feeding the world, but also in education, technology, communication, legislation and transportation.

Be sure to stop by the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center this year and visit local artist Ben Schuh as he creates a one-of-a-kind mural in the atrium during the Fair. The mural will feature both naturally-occurring and man-made points of interest in Iowa such as wind turbines, the High Trestle Trail Bridge, 4-H exhibitors, farmsteads and much more. Stop by to see the mural come to life during the 11 days of the Fair.

Runners and joggers alike will have the opportunity to experience a 5K race like no other. The ninth annual Fairgrounds 5K, which has traditionally been held in November, is during the Fair this year and will take place on Saturday, August 22nd at 7:30 a.m. The route will take you down the Grand Concourse, through the hills of the Campgrounds, and along Rock Island. You'll see vendors, campers and livestock on your adventure across the Fairgrounds. It's a perfect chance to get your exercise in while supporting the Blue Ribbon Foundation and their renovation efforts.

Stage Entertainment

The new MidAmerican Energy Stage, formerly known as Fairview Stage, will debut at this year's Fair - complete with new restrooms and additional seating to enjoy a variety of entertainment. The larger stage will host some of our best free entertainment yet.

This year's line-up features southern rock band 38 Special. The group boasts more than twenty million in record sales, with hits such as "Hold On Loosely," "Second Chance," "Back Where You Belong" and more. Other rock groups include Head East, Autograph, Get the Led Out, and Steelheart.

After thirty years together, Restless Heart is still enjoying one of the most successful careers in country music history. With hits that include "I'll Still Be Loving You" and "When She Cries," their success includes six number one hits and the 1990 Vocal Group of the Year from the Academy of Country Music Awards. Other country acts include Haley & Michaels, Dan + Shay, Raelynn and Big Smo.

Back by popular demand, the self-proclaimed "Glee-meets-Stomp" group Vocal Trash will perform daily on the MidAmerican Energy Stage. Also returning is funk band Here Come the Mummies and Hairball, the world's ultimate 80s arena rock impersonation act.

"Nothing Compares" to the excitement that awaits Fairgoers August 13-23.

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23, 2015. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.