The Iowa Women's Art Exhibition's inaugural three artists will be recognized on June 25th by the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa.

(DES MOINES) - Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will honor three Iowa female artists in her formal office on Thursday, June 25, 2015, at 9 a.m. in conjunction with Art Week Des Moines.  The three artists are a part of the Iowa Women's Art Exhibition.  The public is invited to view the works of art anytime at the Iowa Capitol building, but a special invitation is extended for those who wish to view the art when the artists are present with Reynolds.  This event is open to the press.

The project was started to highlight Iowa's female artists.  Art is essential to the quality of life in Iowa and female artists contribute to the entrepreneurial community of women in Iowa.  Increasingly, Reynolds hears from businesses and industry that not only are they interested in Iowa's friendly business climate when considering where to reinvest and grow, they're also interested in a high quality of life - including vibrant arts and culture - for their employees.

"I am continually impressed with the dynamic and innovative female leadership that I meet throughout the state and I am eager to continue highlighting their impressive achievements and skillsets," said Reynolds.  "Displaying this art in my formal office has provided me the rare opportunity to recognize female artists from Iowa and the important role they play as entrepreneurs in our state."

The artwork that was featured from the last three months comes from artists that all have a connection to Iowa.  The following artists' work is currently being displayed in the Lt. Governor's Formal Office:

Kathranne Knight (http://www.kathranneknight.com) is an Iowa based artist who makes delicate, complex, textile-like landscape drawings.  She received an MFA from Yale University in 1997 and her work has been shown nationally in galleries and museums.  Knight is published in New American Paintings #56, Northeast Edition and is the recipient of an Iowa Artist Fellowship grant, awarded by the Iowa Arts Council.  A photo of Knight's, Tinsel in August, created in 2010 can be seen here.  The work will be on display until the beginning of July.

Mary Laube (www.marylaube.com) was born in South Korea and grew up in the Midwest.  She received an MFA from the University of Iowa and a BFA from Illinois State University. Her work has been published in New American Paintings #87 and #101.  She received the Illinois National Women in the Arts Award in 2009 and a Project grant from the Iowa Arts Council.  Laube's Acrylic and Oil on Panel work, Onward and Upward, can be seen here.  It will also be on display until July.

Sarah Grant (www.sticks.com) grew up in Ames, Iowa.  She received an MFA in painting from the University of Iowa and is the founder and owner of Sticks, an object art and furniture business located in Des Moines, Iowa.  Her honors and commissions include being named a Louis Comfort Tiffany Grant nominee finalist; a Kirkwood Hotel Mural Commission; and the Jerome Foundation Invitational Grant.  A photo of Grant's, Fields meet Sky, an acrylic and collage on paper work created in 2013, can be seen here.

In July 2015, three new female artists will be featured in the Lieutenant Governor's formal office.  The public is welcome to visit.

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Bipartisan Bill Will Improve Detection and Prevention of Waste and Misuse Across Federal Agencies

WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs approved a bipartisan bill to curb waste, fraud and abuse in federal agency travel and purchase cards spending. The Saving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act of 2015 (S. 1616) was introduced by Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) with Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) earlier this month. The legislation was approved unanimously by the committee by voice vote.

"Federal agencies have made progress in strengthening financial controls over government travel and purchase cards  - but recent reports have revealed that more needs to be done to eliminate wasteful charge card spending," Sen. Carper said. "This bipartisan legislation would implement stronger and smarter controls to prevent potential abuse and misuse of government charge cards, and help ensure our taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly across federal agencies. I thank Sen. Grassley, Sen. McCaskill and Chairman Johnson for their partnership on this common sense, bipartisan bill.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that our federal agencies better communicate and coordinate to crack down on charge card abuse and misuse."

 

"This bill builds on my Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 by adding an additional layer of government-wide oversight to the work of individual agency inspectors general," Sen. Grassley said. "The recent Defense Department inspector general report, which was drafted in response to the 2012 law, highlighted some areas where the Defense Department was not properly implementing the required controls and flagged casinos as a high risk for misuse of charge cards. Our bill will make sure we're looking for similar patterns of misuse across all federal agencies and that agencies are sharing best practices to prevent misuse and identify potential cost savings."

 

"We've got the tools to prevent waste and fraud of government-issued change cards - and this legislation would finally give us the power to put them to use on a government-wide basis," said Sen. McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor and top-ranking Democrat on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. "By giving federal agencies the commonsense ability to better safeguard taxpayer dollars against abuses, it's my hope we can give Americans a little more faith in their government."

 

"I am pleased to partner with Ranking Member Carper to move this bill through committee," Sen. Johnson said. "I have said from day one that I want to use my chairmanship of this committee to pass common sense reforms that protect the American taxpayer. This bill is a perfect example - instructing the GSA to do a better job of monitoring the billions of dollars of credit card transactions by federal bureaucrats makes sense and will hopefully serve to cut back on the waste and fraud of Washington."

The Saving Federal Dollars Through Better Use of Government Purchase and Travel Cards Act of 2015 would help prevent charge card misuse and abuse by establishing an Office of Federal Charge Card Analytics and Review within the Government Services Administration to continuously examine charge card purchases made across the federal government. The legislation would also facilitate improved anti-fraud information sharing among federal agencies that use purchase and travel cards, in addition to requiring those agencies to share best-practices for detecting and preventing waste, fraud and abuse. In addition, the bill would encourage agencies to leverage purchasing power through strategic sourcing.

Last month, a Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Inspector General report detailed how some employees at the Department misused government-issued charge cards to gamble and pay for adult entertainment. This legislation aims to prevent charge card misuse and abuse by implementing more oversight controls for travel and purchase cards across federal agencies.

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BISMARCK, ND (06/24/2015)(readMedia)-- Chad Wagner of Davenport, IA, has been named to the President's Honor Roll with a 4.00 grade point average for the Spring 2015 semester at Bismarck State College.

"BSC students are great; it is always gratifying when the honor roll comes out and students like Chad get the credit they deserve for their focus and hard work," said Dave Clark, BSC interim president.

Students must maintain a 4.00 grade point while enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of classes to receive this distinction.

Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities. For more information, visit bismarckstate.edu.

Iowa Biodiesel Board asks for higher volumes in '16 and '17 under Renewable Fuel Standard

ANKENY, Iowa - A biodiesel-powered convoy travels from Iowa to Kansas City today, where members of the Iowa Biodiesel Board will stand up for the fuel's future in the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The Environmental Protection Agency is holding a hearing in Kansas City June 25 on its long-awaited proposed renewable fuel volumes under the federal RFS program. In biodiesel's primary RFS category, "biomass-based diesel," EPA has proposed 1.63 billion gallons in 2014, with gradual growth of about 100 million gallons per year to a standard of 1.9 billion gallons in 2017. Growth is also planned for the Advanced Biofuel category, which biodiesel can meet.

Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board and director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association, will testify.

"I represent the entire Iowa biodiesel value chain ? from the farmers who grow soybeans, to biodiesel manufactures, petroleum marketers and other industry stakeholders," Kimberley's testimony says. "But I am also an Iowa farmer who believes in the power of biodiesel to have a positive impact on my local, state and national economy."

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy visited his family farm in 2009, where he had the opportunity to show her just how intertwined agriculture and energy are.

"When we diversify farm income by allowing farmers to play a role in energy, it has a great benefit of enhancing food security," Kimberley will tell EPA officials. "The rise of biofuels has no doubt saved family farms, which means more food security.  Farmers are innovative and will always rise to meet market demands."

Iowa is the top biodiesel-producing state.

While most industry leaders do not take issue with the proposed 2014 and 2015 biodiesel volumes, consensus is that 2016 and 2017 have been set too low.

"I ask that you set a final rule that is closer to the industry's initial request of 2.4 billion gallons for 2016, and 2.7 billion gallons for 2017," Kimberley will say. "We are more than capable."

Producer members testifying include AGP based in Sergeant Bluff, REG based in Ames, and Western Dubuque Biodiesel, a 30 million gallon per year facility located in Farley.

"I am a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Gulf, and I am concerned about improving U.S. energy security," Tom Brooks, general manager of Western Dubuque Biodiesel, will testify. "Our company...provided the first new hiring opportunity in our town of 900 in the past 15 years. These are well above average pay jobs."

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, an ardent biofuels supporter, also plans on testifying at the hearing.

The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a nonpartisan state trade association representing the biodiesel industry. The full testimony will be posted on IBB's website.

WASHINGTON - Four health care bills from Sen. Chuck Grassley today received unanimous passage by the committee of jurisdiction, the Finance Committee.  A fifth bill of which Grassley is the primary cosponsor also passed unanimously.  The bills cover physical therapy in Medicare, financial trusts for individuals with disabilities, rural hospitals, community-based independence for seniors in Medicare, and quality care for mothers and children in Medicaid.

"These bills fill gaps and try new solutions to improve health care," Grassley said.  "They're all bipartisan and non-controversial.  I appreciate the Finance Committee chairman's decision to put these proposals on the agenda, and I'll continue to work toward their enactment."

The Grassley bills passed out of committee today are:

·         S. 313, the Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act (including lead Democrat Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, with 19 cosponsors, eight Republicans, 11 Democrats).  The bill allows physical therapists locum tenens rights under Medicare.  Locum tenens is the Latin phrase for "place holder."  Under current law, practicing physicians utilize locum tenens arrangements to have qualified substitute physicians, who are not employees of the physician, serve as "place holders" to provide care to their patients during short periods of absence.  This bill will give physical therapists the same rights.

·         S. 349, the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act (with Democrats Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida and Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan).  Under current law, individuals with disabilities cannot set up a special needs trust for themselves even when they are able.  This bill fixes that discriminatory exclusion.

·         S. 607, the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act (including lead Democrat Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, with 14 cosponsors, 10 Republicans, four Democrats).  This bill extends the rural hospital demonstration program for five years for a number of "tweener" hospitals.  In Iowa, it benefits hospitals in Newton, Grinnell, Carroll, and Spirit Lake.

·         S. 704, the Community Based Independence for Seniors Act (with Democrats Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland and Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York).  This bill creates a Medicare demonstration to expand the Special Needs Plan program to allow for 5,000 people to receive community-based benefits.  It is a small but novel proposal for Medicare that could be expanded eventually.

Grassley is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the following led by Stabenow, also passed out of the committee today:

·         S. 466, the Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act.  This bill provides for quality collaboration, including sharing best practices, and reporting standards for Medicaid for childbirth to improve quality.

Grassley is a senior member and former chairman of the Finance Committee.

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WHO: It's the perfect season for job hunting, so get your resumes ready and prepare for your

WHAT: The HNI Corporation and Kwik Star have teamed up with NorthPark Mall to host job fairs

WHEN: HNI Job Fair @ NorthPark

WHERE: At SouthPark Mall, in Younkers court.

NorthPark and SouthPark host Job Fairs in June and July!

dream job. NorthPark and SouthPark Malls will host jobs fairs with the HNI Corporation,

Kwik Star and retailers this summer.   

in June and July. Bring your resume and plan for on-site interviews with these two

national companies. Plus, both NorthPark and SouthPark retailers will host job fairs in

July.

For more information on great events, visit www.shopsouthparkmall-il.com/events or

www.north-park-mall-ia.com/events follow us on Twitter @NorthParkMallIA or

@SouthParkMallIL and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthParkMallIL or

/NorthParkMallIA.

Friday, June 26, 2015

3:00PM-7:00PM

Kwik Star Job Fair @ NorthPark

Saturday, June 27, 2015 Sunday, June 28, 2015

10:00AM-4:00PM 12:00PM-6:00PM

Kwik Star Job Fair @ NorthPark

Saturday, July 11, 2015 Sunday, July 12, 2015

10:00AM-4:00PM 12:00PM-6:00PM

Retailer Job Fair @ SouthPark

Friday, July 24, 2015

3:00PM-5:00PM

Retailer Job Fair @ NorthPark

Friday, July 31, 2015

3:00PM-5:00PM

At NorthPark Mall, in Younkers court.

Des Moines, IA - Capping the first day of its two-day training sessions in Iowa, the FACT (Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency) Coalition today honored Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) with an award marking its appreciation of his efforts in to make corporate ownership more transparent.

FACT is holding a two-day training session in Des Moines called "Organizing for Tax Fairness." The training brings together community leaders, faith leaders, small business owners and activists to learn more about corporate tax avoidance and tax havens, the use of anonymous shell companies, and how they are used to facilitate money laundering, all at the expense of priorities that benefit all Americans.

The award for Senator Grassley is being given, "In gratitude to Senator Grassley for his leadership in fighting crime by making corporate ownership more transparent."  In prior sessions of Congress, Senator Grassley sponsored legislation, the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act, and the bill is due to be introduced again.  The FACT Coalition is keen to see meaningful progress on this issue.

It may surprise people to know that you only need to provide four items of information in order to create an Iowa company: the name of the company, the number of authorized shares, the name and address of the registered agent, and the name and address of each incorporator.  Registered agents and incorporators can be lawyers or companies paid for those services, not anyone actually in charge of the company. You don't need to list the officers, directors or shareholders - there in no need to indicate who actually owns or controls an Iowa company.  You need to provide more identifying information to get a library card or a drivers' license.  Many state incorporation laws require similar, scant information.

"We appreciate Senator Grassley's long-standing work on opening up corporate ownership to the light of day," said FACT Executive Director Rebecca Wilkins.  "When anonymous shell companies are used for tax evasion, the public loses through cuts to public programs or higher taxes, and when wealthy individuals and companies use anonymous companies to flood cash into our elections, we lose control over our democracy. When they are used to defraud the Defense Department, it puts our soldiers and our citizens in danger."

"Senator Grassley has been a leading proponent of strong legislation to eradicate anonymous companies in the U.S.," commented Heather Lowe, Legal Counsel and Director of Government Affairs at Global Financial Integrity.  "We are educating grassroots groups and small businesses here in Iowa about on this issue and we hope their interest encourages Senator Grassley to continue to back strong, comprehensive legislation to eradicate anonymous companies."

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'B11' has 3-cent tax advantage starting July 1

ANKENY, Iowa - Truckers, motorists and biodiesel producers alike will soon benefit from a tax savings in Iowa on one of the state's most beneficial products. As of July 1, diesel blended with at least 11 percent biodiesel (B11) will enjoy a tax exemption of 3 cents a gallon compared to regular diesel, a legislative victory celebrated by the Iowa Biodiesel Board and its supporters.

Signed by Governor Terry Branstad in February, the law has already increased the state fuel tax by 10 cents a gallon for both diesel and gasoline to help improve Iowa's roads and bridges. Beginning July 1, biodiesel blends of B11 and above will receive a 3-cent exemption for 5 years.

"This state policy represents another link in the chain that secures Iowa's energy and economic future," said Grant Kimberley, executive director of IBB.  "This incentive, along with other state policies that encourage biodiesel production and use, shores up support for a fuel that delivers jobs, diversifies our fuel supply and reduces greenhouse gases."

Prior to 2015, the tax for diesel was $0.225 a gallon. The new diesel tax, already in effect, is $0.325 a gallon. Users of B11 or higher will now pay tax of just $0.295 a gallon.

Kimberley added that this won't automatically mean B11 is less expensive at the pump than diesel, but: "All of the pro-biodiesel policies in Iowa working together, plus federal programs that encourage energy independence, add up," he said. "This is likely to make B11 pretty competitive at the pump."

Iowa is the number one biodiesel-producing state. Iowa biodiesel plants produced 227 million gallons in 2014, down slightly from the 2013 record of 230 million gallons.

Biodiesel is an advanced biofuel made from agricultural byproducts and co-products, including soybean oil.  The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a state trade association representing the biodiesel industry.

Saturday, June 27th

at MCC QC, 2930 W. LOCUST ST. (across from the Fairgrounds - the old blockbuster building)

12 P.M TO 4 P.M

FREE WILL OFFERING

Scholars Program to pay first years of tuition at University of Iowa, Western Illinois University

DAVENPORT, Iowa (June 21, 2015) - The Quad Cities River Bandits awarded their two annual Bandit Scholarships at their game Sunday afternoon. River Bandits owner Dave Heller announced David Tra as the winner of the Bandit Scholarship for the University of Iowa, and Matthew Wieskamp as the winner of the Bandit Scholarship for Western Illinois University.

Tra, a Davenport native and Davenport West High School graduate, will attend the University of Iowa this fall. Wieskamp, a Muscatine, Iowa, native and Muscatine High School graduate, will attend Western Illinois University. Each scholarship ensures the student's first year of tuition will be covered at no expense to them or their families. The Bandit Scholarships are administered by the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend (CFGRB).

"Giving out these scholarships is the single most enjoyable thing I do as owner of the River Bandits, and I am so proud, on behalf of the team, and the Communtiy Foundation of the Great River Bend, to present these scholarships to a two recipients," said team owner Dave Heller. "David and Matthew have demonstrated incredible talent, hard work, dedication and a passion for community service, and I am confident they will be outstanding representatives of our Bandit Scholars Program and the Quad Cities in their immensely promising futures."

Tra hopes to pursue an engineering degree. He has begun taking college-level engineering classes and has been involved in Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam, National Honor Society, Youth Symphony Orchestra, High School Varsity Orchestra, Asian club, Leo club, ecology club, cross country, golf, tennis, and track, as well as working at Hy-Vee.

Wieskamp hopes to pursue a pre-physical therapy curriculum and biology degree, as well as a minor in business, to become a physical therapist. In high school, he has been involved with National Honor Society, baseball, basketball, football and track.

"It's an honor to be the recipient of the Bandit Scholarship," Wieskamp said. "This scholarship will help me to achieve my goal of becoming a physical therapist in the future. Thank you, and go Bandits!"

The Bandit Scholars Program was founded in 2009 by the Quad Cities River Bandits' team owners Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt. The program pays the entire first year of college tuition for two Quad Cities area students. Both winners also receive a summer internship with the Quad Cities River Bandits following their freshman year. , and recipients are selected by a committee made up of community leaders, River Bandits' ownership and staff and CFGRB volunteers.

The scholarships are funded by fan donations and fund-raising efforts by the River Bandits and the team's ownership. Fundraising events include the annual Bandits Race to Home 5K and River Bandits golf outing, set for July 27 this season. Through the partnership with the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, donors can make online, tax-deductible donations to the Bandit Scholars Program by going to www.cfgrb.org. Fans can also visit the Bandit Scholars Program page on the team's website, www.riverbandits.com, and follow a link to the Bandit Scholars page on the Foundation's website.

Both scholarships are open to current high school (or home-schooled) seniors who reside in any of the following counties: Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside Counties on the Illinois side, and Cedar, Louisa, Muscatine and Scott Counties on the Iowa side.

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