ROCK ISLAND, IL (02/09/2015)(readMedia)-- Four of Augustana's choirs performed their annual winter concert on Saturday, February 7. Participating choirs included Cantilena Augustana, Kammarkor, Wennerberg Men's Chorus and Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble. The Webster Competition winners were also featured.

More than 100 students participated in the concert, including:

Chelsea Mentado of Moline, IL

Shannon Ryan of Moline, IL

Chelsea Crumbleholme of Moline, IL

Hannah Griggs of Bettendorf, IA

Jennifer Darby of Moline, IL

Leslie Carranza of Zion, IL

Andrew Skalak of Davenport, IA

Joseph Oliger of Davenport, IA

Liam Baldwin of Davenport, IA

Payton Brasher of Davenport, IA

Samantha Turner of Rock Island, IL

Taylor Anderson of East Moline, IL

Sydney Crumbleholme of Moline, IL

Brittany Middleton of Davenport, IA

Alecsus Sebben of Rock Island, IL

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 155 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (02/09/2015)(readMedia)-- The Augustana Jazz Ensemble performed its winter concert "Beyond Category" on Friday, February 5 in Centennial Hall. The concert featured the music of Duke Ellington, exactly as it was played by his orchestra. Selections included "Black and Tan Fantasy" and the "Peer Gynt Suite" as arranged by Billy Strayhorn.

Sixteen student musicians participated in the performance including:

Michael Daniels of Geneseo, IL

Benjamin McKay of Rock Island, IL

David Soliz of Silvis, IL

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 155 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

Lowest annual percentage increase since the turn of the century

DES MOINES, IA (02/09/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald reports that outstanding debt obligations for state and local governments in Iowa totaled just over $15 billion as of June 30, 2014. Overall, this represents an increase of 1.7% over last year. All political subdivisions, instrumentalities and agencies of the state are required to disclose outstanding long-term obligations, including bonds, notes, capital leases and loans, annually to the state treasurer. "While debt nearly doubled in the last decade, this is the lowest annual percentage increase reported since the turn of the century," Fitzgerald explained. "We see the greatest increases in debt issued by education-related entities such as schools, the Board of Regents and community colleges."

Education-related debt comprises over 38% of the total debt (public schools 23%, Board of Regents 11% and community colleges 4%). Debt issued by schools increased 8.49%, Board of Regents 7.11% and community colleges 6.86% over last year. A majority of the $5.8 billion debt incurred by school districts and AEAs is for construction or renovation projects. "In some areas, we see new schools being built, while in other areas we see old infrastructure being improved," Fitzgerald stated. "The fact that communities come together to better their schools is a reflection of the importance of education in Iowa."

Cities report 35% of all outstanding debt, with five cities (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Sioux City and Davenport) holding over 30% of the $5.3 billion reported.

Iowa counties report $859 million in debt with Polk County reporting nearly 30% of the total. Other entities with outstanding debt issues include state authorities with $2.1 billion and state agencies with $924 million. Counties, state authorities and agencies all decreased their debt in the last year.

"While the overall debt increase in Iowa is moderate, we make this information available to all Iowans by county so they can see the total debt and changes over the years in their own communities," Fitzgerald stated. Visit the state treasurer's office at iowatreasurer.gov and click 'Outstanding Obligation Report' under the 'For Governments' tab to view the report and additional information by a specific reporting entity.

May 19, 2015 - On Sale Friday, February 13 at 10 am

Godsmack with special guest Papa Roach will rock the iWireless Center May, 19 2015. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 13 at 10 am.

Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum hard rock titans Godsmack preserve their connection to the streets of Boston on their sixth full-length album for Republic Records,1000hp. Outlasting tides, trends, and a torrential industry climate since forming in 1995, the quartet-Sully Erna [vocals, guitar], Tony Rombola [guitar], Robbie Merrill [bass], and Shannon Larkin [drums]-paved the way for a generation of rock bands. Their last album, 2010's The Oracle, rounded out a streak of three consecutive #1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200, an accomplishment only shared by Van Halen, U2, Metallica, Dave Matthews Band, and Linkin Park.  Now, these four musicians leap forward without forgetting where they came from.

Fear can sometimes be the best fuel. It pushes us into the unknown, makes us aware, and reminds us we're alive. Embracing that mindset, Papa Roach transformed the word itself into a mantra for the title of their eighth full-length album, F.E.A.R. [Eleven Seven Music]. The Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum hard rock juggernaut builds its most infectious, invigorating, and incendiary body of work to date. They preserve the robust riffs and swaggering rhythms that marked their initial call-to-arms, while seamlessly infusing cinematic electronic flourishes, sweeping hooks, and magnetic melodies. As a result, the band-Jacoby Shaddix [vocals], Jerry Horton [guitars], Tobin Esperance [bass], and Tony Palermo [drums]-rise like never before...

Tickets prices are $39.50 and $44.00 and go on sale Friday, February 13 at 10 am. Tickets are available at the iWireless Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000 and on line at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional information visit www.godsmack.com and www.paparoach.com.

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