SPRINGFIELD, Mo. ? Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Tips presents free, seasonal how-to advice from Larry Whiteley, host of the award-winning Outdoor World Radio show. Each weekly tip offers practical advice to improve your skills.

Tips offered for February include :

Fish Windy Banks for Bass
In early spring, windy banks are bass fishing hotspots because they hold the warmest water and baitfish. Slow trolling a spinnerbait or crankbait through baitfish hangouts can be your all-access pass to the best bass fishing on the lake.

Create a Pre-Fishing Trip Checklist
Hassle free fishing trips are possible when you have a plan. Avoid everything from leaky waders to boat trailer tire problems by making a check list of everything you need to do before you hit the water.

Prep for Turkey Season by Practicing Your Shooting While Sitting
Turkey hunters who practice their shooting from a seated position can ramp up their success rates. Put the odds in your favor by stepping off distances and finding maximum range markers before sitting so you know for sure when that gobbler is in range.

Gear You Need for Walleye Fishing
You don't need your doctorate in walleyeology to buy fishing gear. You can catch a lot of 'eyes with this no brainer rod, reel and fishing line combo.  

Working a Wobbler-Style Lure
Largemouth and smallmouth bass love wobbler-style lures such as jitterbugs and crazy crawlers. A steady retrieve parallel to weedy shorelines is all you need to drive bass crazy.

Visit http://www.basspro.com/ and click on 1Source New & Tips.

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (January 24, 2015) - Josh Brittain and Jack Downing scored third period goals and Mike Clemente made 26 saves as the host Missouri Mavericks (15-19-4) survived a late scare to hold off the Quad City Mallards (18-14-6) 2-1 Saturday night.

Brittain broke a scoreless deadlock from the doorstep just 39 seconds into the third.  Downing swooped into the right wing circle to double the Maverick lead at 8:10.  

The Mallards were on the power play when Joe Perry cut the gap to 2-1 by burying a rebound with 5:37 remaining.  The Mallards twice came within inches of tying the game in the final seconds while up 6-on-4 after going on the power play and pulling goaltender Parker Milner (29 saves).  Missouri first escaped when the Mavs' Jared Brown swept the puck away from the goal line with the net gaping; with just 7 seconds left Nicholas Rioux fired the Mallards' final chance off the crossbar.

The Mallards return to action at home next Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Wichita Thunder.  Fans can get four tickets to Mallards Wednesday night home games for just $20.  After each Wednesday night home tilt, fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's in Moline for a postgame party.

Tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including next Wednesday's contest- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.

Governor's Office provides update regarding Gov. Branstad
Gov. Branstad is alert and resting comfortably; will be kept overnight out of an abundance of caution

(DES MOINES) -  Governor's Office spokesman Jimmy Centers today provided the following update to the governor's condition after he fell ill at an event earlier in the day:

"Gov. Branstad is currently alert and resting comfortably at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. He is being observed and hydrated after having flu-like symptoms. The governor did have a flu shot this season. The governor has been admitted and will be kept overnight out of an abundance of caution."

More information will be released as it becomes available. The governor and lt. governor have canceled their public events for Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, to rest and recover from seasonal illnesses.

Earlier:

(DES MOINES)  -  Iowa Governor's Office spokesman Jimmy Centers today released the following statement after Gov. Terry Branstad fell ill at an event at DuPont Pioneer:

"Gov. Branstad fell ill at an event today at DuPont Pioneer. An ambulance was called and he was transported to Methodist hospital in Des Moines. The governor is conscious and alert and was so during the transport to the hospital. During the transport, paramedics took the governor's vitals and initial tests indicate that the spell was caused by a seasonal illness. The governor had been suffering from the effects of a cold."

More details will be provided as they become available.

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DEKALB, IL (01/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Northern Illinois University announces the awarding of graduate and undergraduate degrees at the conclusion of the fall 2014 session. The following local residents are recent graduates of Northern Illinois University (NIU), joining 225,000 alumni who are putting the university's promise of student career success into action:

Megan Sheley of East Moline, IL. Megan graduated with a BSED degree.

Mehmet Badur of Moline, IL. Mehmet graduated with a BS degree.

Aaron McKeown of Moline, IL. Aaron graduated with a BS degree.

Anna Kreiser of Geneseo, IL. Anna graduated with a MS degree.

Jonathan Krell of Rock Island, IL. Jonathan graduated with a MS degree.

Katie Granger of Rock Island, IL. Katie graduated with a BS degree.

Clayton Buckrop of Rock Island, IL. Clayton graduated with a BA degree.

Graduate degrees were conferred Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. Undergraduate degrees were conferred Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014.

Chartered in 1895, NIU first opened its doors as the Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1899 as a teachers college. The university has grown since into a world-class, research-focused public institution that attracts students from across Illinois, the country and the world.