Congressman: The United States should not engage in another open-ended conflict

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) is today asking Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to answer questions about the nature of America's recent military reengagement in Iraq after it was announced that the Pentagon was sending an additional 130 military personnel to northern Iraq.

"America has made enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and our commitment to ensuring its security has justifiably ended," Braley said. "While it's appropriate to take steps to address the humanitarian crisis and protect America's national security interests, I remain firmly opposed to another long, open-ended commitment that places our troops in harm's way and am deeply concerned by the recent decision to redeploy troops in Iraq."

In addition to outlining his concerns about involving America in another open-ended mission in Iraq, Braley asked Hagel to provide answers to a series of questions including the timetable for bringing home all American military personnel, the estimated cost of the current mission, and the Administration's intention to seek Congressional authorization for the mission.

"I believe the current situation in Iraq is a challenging one. However I do not believe the United States should engage in another long-term conflict in Iraq," Braley wrote.

A copy of Braley's letter is available online HERE.

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald announced today that 85% of the children that have participated in the College Savings Iowa's annual State Fair survey show getting a college education is a necessary step to achieving their dreams and career aspirations. "Iowa children are already thinking about their futures," stated Fitzgerald. "This survey demonstrates how important it is for families to start planning and saving early to help make college a reality for their children."

"Every year we ask children visiting the fair what they want to be when they grow up and if they will need to go to college to achieve these goals," Fitzgerald said. "Needless to say, we are always amazed by the responses they offer." Nineteen percent are planning on becoming veterinarians, with another 18% hoping to become teachers. Artist came in third this year with 14% of the responses.

"According to the survey, the majority of kids think a college education will cost them around $100,000," Fitzgerald added. "Families that save and invest for their children's college education will be better prepared to meet the challenge of paying for it when the time arrives, and College Savings Iowa is here to help." Anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. This year Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $3,098 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income.* Earnings grow tax free and investors can withdraw their investment federally and Iowa state tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.**

. You can also connect with the plan on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan) to stay up to date on current giveaways and events.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

**Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

Specialty crop growers interested in food safety certification and risk management for their farms should plan to attend a Mock GAP Audit Workshop Aug. 26, 1-4 p.m. at Feed Iowa First packinghouse, 1506 10th St SE, Cedar Rapids.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting the three-hour workshop to provide growers with a better understanding of the auditing process for GAP -- Good Agricultural Practices -- certification. Participants will tour a new packing shed in an unused commercial building as well as an urban garden space. They will discuss harvest protocols with volunteer labor, review the basics of a farm food safety plan, observe how a farm food safety plan has been implemented, and review the USDA GAP/GHP Audit Checklist and learn how to apply it to their farm setting.

The program is funded through a grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Services Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

The key instructors will be ISU Extension and Outreach specialists Angela Shaw and Teresa Wiemerslage. The fee for the workshop is $20 per participant and registration is online at http://bit.ly/12sLsxE. For more information, please contact Angela Shaw at 515-294-0868 or email at angelaml@iastate.edu.

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2014)(readMedia)-- Ashley McKenny of Stilwell, Kan., showed the Grand Champion Bull in the Limousin Cattle show judged Saturday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Jim and Becky Venner of Breda showed the Reserve Grand Champion bull. Korynn Clason of Beaver City, Neb., showed the Grand Champion Female. Linhart Limousin of Leon took the Reserve Grand Champion Female and Iowa Champion Female titles.

Complete results follow (names, hometowns, animal identification):

Spring Heifer Calf - On or After March 1, 2014

1) Kevin Ricke, Westside, RL Pixie Dust 419B, 3/12/2014, NPF2052847

Junior Heifer Calf - Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2014

1) Ashley McKenny, Stilwell, Kan., Ashley's Red Ruby 438B, 1/10/2014, NPF2049016

Senior Heifer Calf - Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2013

1) Linhart Limousin, Leon, CJSL 3359A, 9/10/2013, NPF2052877

2) Jim & Becky Venner, Breda, JBV Raspberry Swirl 332A, 10/9/2013, NPF2053164

3) Brant Farms Limousin, Osceola, KBLH LAREDO'S LOLA, 9/21/2013, NPF2048512

Summer Yearling Female - May 1 to June 30, 2013

1) Anderson Limousin, Garner, RGMA AVA 653A, 5/9/2013, NPF2043027

2) Bosch Farms, Indianola, Miss SYES 923U 891A, 5/9/2013, NPF2029368

3) Erin Puck, Muscatine, NICI Rosie, 5/6/2013, NPF2043251

4) Brant Farms Limousin, Osceola, BWDJ ARIELLE, 5/10/2013, NPF2042323

April Junior Yearling Female - April 1-30, 2013

1) Anna Radcliff, Eldridge, SL BORN READY, 4/4/2013, NPF-2035236

2) Emily Puck, Muscatine, VL Alexis, 4/9/2013, NPF2030817

3) Clanton Cattle Company, Peru, JBAM ANASTSIA 02A, 4/17/2013, NPF2026791

4) Jenel Wenndt, Lowden, Shilo's Friendly Rider, 4/7/2013, NPF2048942

March Junior Yearling Female - March 1-31, 2013

1) Olivia Vesey, Van Meter, MAGS Art Class, 3/26/2013, NPF2028686

2) Bosch Farms, Indianola, RMKR Athena 324A, 3/19/2013, NPF2038906

3) Brant Farms Limousin, Osceola, LAREDO'S AMANDA, 3/18/2013, NPF2048515

4) Long and Sons Limousin, Afton, Long Lady Alice 48A, 3/14/2013, NPF 2037151

5) Landon Josten, Forest City, RMKR APPLE PIE 330A, 3/20/2013, NPF2038912

March Junior Yearling Female - March 1-31, 2013

1) Butler Limousin, Lacona, JDYE ABBEY, 3/8/2013, NPF 2031574

2) Carson Walrod, Moorland, Flatland Anastasia 302A, 3/9/2013, NPF2042175

3) Emily Puck, Muscatine, BRAW Sparkle, 3/3/2013, NPF2041534

4) Bailey Walrod, Moorland, Flatland Classic Cookie, 3/9/2013, NXF2042174

5) Long And Sons Limousin, Afton, Long Lady Amaretto 27A, 3/8/2013, NPF 2037139

6) Randy & Kim Siders, Tipton, SL Ritzy Sue, 3/7/2013, NPF2035233

Junior Yearling Female - Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2013

1) Korynn Clason, Beaver City, Neb., VL Ashtyn 319A, 2/5/2013, NPF2030860

2) Linhart Limousin, Leon, EF AFTER HOURS 850A, 1/7/2013, NPF2032660

3) Tara Peeters, Eldridge, LG ANNIKA, 2/22/2013, NPF-2044470

4) August Treimer, Durant, Wulfs Alexa, 2/27/2013, NPF2042245

5) Hunter Schmidt, Eldridge, AUTO AMITH 616A, 2/12/2013, NPF2033736

Fall Yearling Female - Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2012

1) Nicholas Duckett, Grimes, BWDJ Rozie, 9/1/2012, NPF2021719

Cow/Calf Pair

1) Korynn Clason, Beaver City, Neb., VL Zowie(WITH CALF 01/13/2014), 3/4/2012, NPF2005453

2) Nicholas Duckett, Grimes, BWDJ Princess(WITH CALF 06/03/2014), 3/8/2010, NPF1981920

Spring Bull Calf - On or After March 1, 2014

1) Clanton Creek Cattle Company, Peru, SHAO BUDDY, 3/13/2014, NPM2053125

Junior Bull Calf - Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2014

1) Ashley McKenny, Stilwell, Kan., Ashley's Black Dirt 209B, 2/18/2014, NXM2049017

2) Clanton Cattle Company, Peru, JBAM BUCKSHOT, 1/25/2014, NPM2052682

3) Clanton Cattle Company, Peru, JBAM BEVO, 1/23/2014, NPM2052681

Summer Yearling Bull - May 1 to June 30, 2013

1) Nicholas Duckett, Grimes, Apollo, 6/5/2013, NPM2041961

Spring Yearling Bull - March 1 to April 30, 2013

1) Jim & Becky Venner, Breda, JBV Wind Talker 316A, 3/25/2013, NPM2034681

2) Kevin Ricke, Westside, RL Cactus Jack 303A, 3/13/2013, NPM2042344

Junior Yearling Bull - Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2013

1) Randy & Kim Siders, Tipton, RKSC Butte A301, 2/23/2013, NXM2025089

Lim-Flex Female - Sept. 1, 2012 and After

1) Linhart Limousin, Leon, CJSL3332A, 9/6/2013, LFF2052873

Lim-Flex Female - Sept. 1, 2012 and After

1) Brett Lange, Paullina, Mags Aspenglow, 4/20/2013, LFF2031025

2) Anderson Limousin, Garner, RGMA ARIAL 314A, 6/12/2013, LFF2043339

Lim-Flex Female - Sept. 1, 2012 and After

1) Hallie Linhart, Weldon, AUTO Always Yours, 2/15/2013, LFF2035361

2) Linhart Limousin, Leon, MAGS ALLAPOOL, 2/17/2013, LFF2028533

3) Anderson Limousin, Garner, RGMA AMARETTO 3176A, 3/7/2013, LFF2043110

4) Leslie Bell, Eldridge, LG ANGELA, 2/28/2013, LFF2044469

5) Long and Sons Limousin, Afton, Long Lady Annie 3A, 2/28/2013, LFF 2037184

Lim-Flex Female - Sept. 1, 2012 and After

1) Kevin Ricke, Westside, RL Rose 302A, 1/13/2013, LFF2042345

2) Drew Abbas, Alexander, Legacy's Abi, 1/16/2013, LFF2031458

Lim-Flex Female - Sept. 1, 2012 and After

1) Ashley McKenny, Stilwell, Kan., Ashley's Magic Boxcars, 12/12/2012, LFF2026985

2) Landon Josten, Forest City, LEGACY'S ZITTY, 9/4/2012, LFF20267545

Lim-Flex Cow/Calf Pair

1) Kevin Ricke, Westside, JBV Ava 224Z(WITH CALF 03/12/2014), 5/30/2012, LFF2013102

Lim-Flex Bull - Jan. 1, 2012 to March 1, 2014

1) Korynn Clason, Beaver City, Neb., KORC Brandell 401B, 1/13/2014, LFM2048329

Lim-Flex Bull - Jan. 1, 2012 to March 1, 2014

1) Jim & Becky Venner, Breda, JBV Boomer 331A, 10/8/2013, Pending

Champion Division I Female: Ashley McKenny, Stilwell, Kan.

Reserve Champion Division I Female: Kevin Ricke, Westside, RL PIXIE DUST 419B

Champion Division II Female: Linhart Limousin, Leon, CJSL 3359A

Reserve Champion Division II Female: Jim & Becky Venner, Breda, JBV RASPBERRY SWIRL 332A

Champion Division III Female: Anderson Limousin, Garner, RGMA AVA 653A

Reserve Champion Division III Female: Bosch Farms, Indianola, MISS SYES 923U 891A

Champion Division IV Female: Korynn Clason, Beaver City, Neb., VL ASHTYN 319A

Reserve Champion Division IV Female: Anna Radcliff, Eldridge, SL BORN READY

Champion Division V Female: Korynn Clason, Beaver City, Neb., VL ZOWIE

Reserve Champion Division V Female: Nicholas Duckett, Grimes, BWDJ ROZIE

Champion Division I Bull: Ashley McKenny, Stilwell, Kan., RED DIRT LAREDO 503Y

Reserve Champion Division I Bull: Clanton Creek Cattle Company, Peru, SHAO BUDDY

Champion Division III Bull: Nicholas Duckett, Grimes, APOLLA

Champion Division IV Bull: Jim & Becky Venner, Breda, JBV WIND TALKER 316A

Reserve Champion Division IV Bull: Randy and Kim Siders, Tipton, RKSC BUTTE A301

Grand Champion Lim-Flex Female: Hallie Linhart, Weldon, AUTO ALWAYS YOURS

Reserve Grand Champion Lim-Flex Female: Hallie Linhart Limousin, Leon, CJSL 3332A

Grand Champion Lim-Flex Bull: Clason, Beaver City, Neb., KORC BRANDELL 401B

Reserve Grand Champion Lim-Flex Bull: Jim & Becky Venner, Breda, JBV BOOMER 331A

Grand Champion Bull: Ashley McKenny, Stilwell, Kan., ASHLEYS BLACK DIRT 209B

Reserve Grand Champion Bull: Jim & Becky Venner, Breda, JBV WIND TALKER 316A

Grand Champion Female: Korynn Clason, Beaver City, Neb., VL ZOWIE

Reserve Grand Champion Female: Linhart Limousin, Leon, CJSL 3359A

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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