Washington DC -- The Western States Land Commissioners Association (WSLCA) applauds the introduction of the Advancing Conservation and Education Act of 2014 (ACE) by Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The act ? crafted by WSLCA and its members ? will enhance funding of public education and improve management of Federal conservation lands by streamlining the removal of state institutional and school trust lands from within Federal conservation areas. "The ACE Act will allow states to manage trust lands as intended by Congress ? to generate funding for our schoolchildren across the nation," stated WSLCA President, Kathy Opp.

WSLCA has been working with its 23 member states, the Western Governors' Association, the Wilderness Society, Congress, and others to craft the ACE Act. It will allow states to remove school trust lands and minerals that are trapped inside congressionally and administratively designated conservation areas such as national parks, wilderness areas, and national monuments.

The broadly supported ACE Act will allow states to efficiently exchange these trapped assets for federal lands where generation of income for public education is appropriate. Upon statehood, lands were granted to states in trust for the specific purpose of generating income for public education and other state institutions. When federal conservation lands surround state lands, the ability to manage the land for income and provide funding for education suffers. This new authority will also enhance some of our nation's most prized conservation lands by ensuring our national parks, wilderness, and other conservation areas do not contain state holdings within their borders, thus fulfilling the purpose of the conservation lands.

Established in 1949, WSLCA is comprised of 23 Western and some not so Western states that share the common mandate of managing trust lands on behalf of schoolchildren and other designated beneficiaries in our states on a bi-partisan basis. WSLCA's member states manage more than 447 million acres of lands, submerged lands, and minerals with combined trusts amounting to over $271 billion, which generated more than $3.8 billion for public schools in 2012.

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SIOUX FALLS, SD (06/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Augustana College today announced that Kara Bartels, of Davenport, Iowa, has been named to the Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2013-2014 academic year.

The Dean's List recognizes full-time students who have a minimum of 12 credit hours with grade-point averages at 3.5 or above.

About Augustana

Founded in 1860, Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., is a selective, residential, comprehensive college of the Lutheran Church. Committed to enriching lives and fostering development, Augustana combines a foundation in the liberal arts with professional skill and advanced study, leading the Templeton Guide to include the College among those that inspire students to lead ethical and civic-minded lives. With 1,765 students from 30 states and 44 countries, Augustana is featured among "America's Top Colleges" by Forbes; was ranked among the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation for its efforts to advance social mobility, research and service by Washington Monthly; and has been named a "Best Midwestern College" by The Princeton Review.

New stores and Kids Club events this weekend at SouthPark Mall

WHO: SouthPark Mall's redevelopment is currently underway as eight national retailers have officially opened their new prototype store fronts, including Claire's Boutique, Sprint by iMobile, LensCrafters, MasterCuts, Spencer's, Christopher & Banks, Payless ShoeSource, and Dairy Queen|Orange Julius.

More changes are coming as Shoe Dept. Encore will open a brand new store this fall, but can still be found near Von Maur. Journey's, located by Payless ShoeSource will open a brand new store this summer and Bath & Body Works, next to Vitamin World, is scheduled to open their new store in 2015. SouthPark Mall continues to bring new retailers along with expanded stores to further enhance the appeal and attraction for the local community. All stores are open during the construction phase as we bring these enhancements to the center.

WHAT: To keep the momentum of the redevelopment going, a free kids' event will be held in Younkers Court in partnership with National Geographic. The Kids Club event will include an appearance by Rascal, the River Bandits mascot, plus Teske's Pet and Garden Center will have pets on hand including birds, bunnies and more. The Piercing Princess from Claire's will also be there to style you with the perfect jewelry for summer.

For more information on great events, and updates on the redevelopment visit www.shopsouthparkmall-il.com/events or follow us on Twitter @SouthParkMallIL and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthParkMallIL.

WHEN: LensCrafters - Now Open

MasterCuts - Opens Saturday, June 21 @ 10:00AM

National Geographic Kids Club Event - Saturday, June 21 @ 1:00PM

WHERE: LensCrafters - Located next to Von Maur

MasterCuts - Located near Younkers

National Geographic Kids Club - Located in Younkers Court

Moline, IL (June 19, 2014) – IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced today that the Holiday Inn Express®, Moline-Quad Cities is open for business. The hotel brings 100 guest rooms and 35 job opportunities to Moline, IL - Quad Cities area.

The visibility from Interstate 280, Interstate 74, and the Quad Cities International Airport make this truly a gateway hotel," Dan Huber, Owner/President Frontier Hospitality Group says.  "We believe the Holiday Inn Express brand will have broad appeal to business and leisure travelers who will be able to easily access this very visible hotel," says Huber.

"Frontier Hospitality Group is grateful to the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island, Rock Island County and the City of Moline for their support and partnership in helping bring this project to fruition," Huber says.  "It feels good to be able to do a project in our very own regional community.  Both Bart Baker and Dan Huber are long-time Quad City residents.

Located at 2100 69th Ave, the four-story hotel offers amenities featuring a dynamic lobby and custom designed great room with a modern décor. The great room will also function as a social hub for hotel guests where they can work, relax and network. The hotel also features an expanded fitness room, swimming pool, guest laundry, meeting room, outdoor patio and ten guest room suites.

The Holiday Inn Express brand delivers a comfortable and smart environment with preferred guest upgrades to ensure a productive stay while traveling for business or leisure. The brand's newly enhanced complimentary Express Start® breakfast bar features both hot & cold options, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, bagels and muffins, fruit, yogurt and the brand's exclusive cinnamon roll. Beverages consist of milk and juice, along with its own "Smart Roast" coffee.

"Holiday Inn Express is a very popular brand and we are pleased to bring a very contemporary Express to the Quad Cities," says Bart Baker, co-owner of the hotel.  "What will set this hotel apart is the custom design of the lobby/great room area and the expanded fitness area.  This is a hotel that has great curb appeal and will fit in nicely with the modern facilities found at the Quad City International Airport," says Baker.

Holiday Inn Express hotels participate in IHG's guest loyalty program, Priority Club^® Rewards. The industry's first and largest guest loyalty program has 43 million members.  Priority Club Rewards membership is free and guests can enroll by logging on www.priorityclub.com, calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of this hotel or any of IHG's more than 4,200 hotels worldwide.

The Holiday Inn Express Hotel, Moline-Quad Cities is owned and operated by Frontier Hospitality Group, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

About Holiday Inn Express

Holiday Inn Express hotels are modern hotels for value-oriented travelers. Fresh, clean and uncomplicated, Holiday Inn Express hotels offer competitive rates for both business and leisure travelers. Guests Stay Smart^® at Holiday Inn Express hotels where they enjoy a free hot Express Start^® Breakfast Bar, free high-speed internet access and free local phone calls (US and Canada only). There are currently more than 1,900 Holiday Inn Express hotel locations around the globe. For more information about Holiday Inn Express hotels or to book reservations, call 1-800-HOLIDAY or visit www.hiexpress.com.

About Frontier Hospitality Group

FHG is owned by Bart Baker and Dan Huber. FHG owns and operates the Best Western Plus SteepleGate Inn in Davenport, Iowa which features Prairie Grille and 1 Hundred West Bar & Dance Club; the Best Western Plus Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center; and Champps Americana Restaurant & Bar in Dubuque, Iowa. FHG formerly owned and operated the Best Western Frontier Inn and Country Inn and Suites in Clinton, Iowa

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