Erickson's inflammatory rhetoric, extreme ideas on working women, marriage equality don't reflect Iowa values

DES MOINES, IA - Braley for Iowa today called on the Republican candidates for US Senate to skip Friday's planned Republican primary forum hosted by the Family Leader in Ankeny because the moderator chosen to lead the forum doesn't reflect Iowa values.

As Media Matters explains, Erick Erickson, the bombastic media figure and founder of the website RedState.com, has a long history of inflammatory rhetoric and extreme ideas with regards to women in the workforce, businesses that serve same-sex couples, and marriage equality. 

Braley for Iowa Campaign Manager Sarah Benzing said, "There's no moderation in the selection of Erick Erickson as moderator, just more right-wing obstructionist rhetoric and ideas that send Iowa backwards. Erickson believes that the increasing numbers of female breadwinners is 'concerning and troubling' and believes that businesses that serve same-sex couples are 'aiding and abetting' in sin. Those just aren't Iowa values. Do Iowa GOP Senate candidates agree with his views, or will they skip tomorrow night's forum?"

"60-Day Hunger Drive" provides one million meals to alleviate hunger across Illinois and western Indiana

Annawan, Ill. - Since it was commissioned in January, a 60-year-old red tractor has traveled more than 1,300 miles and raised $35,192 for the River Bend Foodbank. Caren Laughlin, Director of Marketing at River Bend Foodbank accepted the donation during a presentation at Birkey's Annawan, Ill., location on Wednesday, April 23.

For two months, the restored Farmall Super MTA tractor served as an inventive for donations: individuals who gave $10 or more were entered into a drawing to win it. The tractor visited 12 Birkey's Farm Store locations from Feb. 3 to April 4 as part of the company's 60-Day Hunger Drive.

"This is an incredible effort on the part of Birkey's and its customers and we are very grateful," says Tom Laughlin, executive director of River Bend Foodbank. "Unfortunately the need for emergency food assistance in our outer counties continues to grow and families face tough decisions such as choosing between paying bills and buying food. The support from Birkey's will make a big difference in helping our neighbors in need."

The River Bend Foodbank received donations from 6 Birkey's stores, including Henry, Macomb, Galesburg, Polo, Prophetstown, and Annawan. Proceeds from each Birkey's location will be allocated to agencies in that store's local community.

More than 3,000 individuals and seven food banks participated in the drive, which raised $167,000 in donations–enough for one million meals.

"I am so proud of the way our employees worked together to contribute to neighbors in need," says Mike Hedge, President and CEO of Birkey's. "We hope that this donation will have a big impact, but we know that the need will continue long after our drive is over. We are grateful for the food banks' efforts to alleviate hunger year-round."

In the 47 counties served by Birkey's Farm Stores, Inc., more than 286,000 people are not able to access a nutritious meal when they want it, and one in five children is food insecure. Food banks selected to benefit from the drive were all part of the Feeding America network.

Ross Cluver of Buckley, Ill., won the tractor in the official drawing on Thursday, April 10.

Rock Island County Democratic Party Chair Doug House today expressed deep disappointment with his counterpart's decision to allow a controversial speaker to headline their party's Lincoln Day Dinner.

"Abraham Lincoln, who stood for unity, would be appalled at the divisive and hateful words expressed by the Rev. Don Johnson," said House.

House issued the following statement this morning:

"On behalf of the Rock Island County Democratic Party, and more importantly on behalf of citizens throughout Rock Island County, I am appalled that the Rock Island County Republican Party would headline a speaker with such extremist and dangerous views.

"The Rev. Johnson's views are so out of touch with the views of mainstream Americans and our county's residents that the Republican Party's own candidate for Governor will not appear with him.

"Today I call on Bobby Schilling, and the Rock Island County Republican Party led by Bill Bloom, to denounce those extremist views. I also think they should do what's right by one of our nation's greatest Presidents - Abraham Lincoln - and cancel the Rev. Johnson's speech.

"Abraham Lincoln, who preached unity, would be appalled at the divisive and hateful words expressed by the Rev. Don Johnson.

"The Rock Island County Democratic Party, which is reflective of the county in which we live, will continue to be inclusive. We Democrats embrace our community's diversity and recognize it as a strength that has built the place we proudly call the Quad Cities."

(DES MOINES) - Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will continue a series of town hall meetings across Iowa about the importance of giving students a first-rate education in science, technology, engineering and math. Reynolds is co-chair of the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council along with Mary Andringa, Vermeer Corp. CEO. The Council's overarching goal is raising student interest and achievement in STEM and building a stronger STEM workforce pipeline.

The town halls will update Iowans on the progress being made by the Council, showcase student STEM presentations and seek feedback from community members about how the Council should set STEM priorities moving forward. Gov. Terry Branstad, Mary Andringa and local business leaders will join Reynolds at select town halls.

"Having the opportunity to engage with the students, parents, educators and business leaders who are directly impacted by the Council's work is extremely rewarding and eye-opening," explained Reynolds. "Each of the town hall stops so far in Mount Pleasant, Marshalltown and Spencer have provided us a look at the successes and opportunities for further growth in the future and I look forward to doing the same in Pella, Corning and Reinbeck."

"We want to hear feedback on the progress the Governor's STEM Council has made over the past two years, and the priorities we should set as we look ahead," said Andringa. "The STEM town halls are a way to engage communities in conversation about the value of STEM education and STEM economic development."

The public is welcome at the following STEM town hall events:

Monday, May 5, 2014

1:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds, STEM Co-Chair Mary Andringa, and Myron R. Linn, Manager of Government Affairs, Pella Corporation, hold South Central Region STEM Town Hall

Harry and Bernice Vermeer Banquet Hall, Graham Conference Center

Central College

812 University Street

Pella, IA

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

1:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and Chris Russell, Data Center Operations Manager for Google in Council Bluffs, hold Southwest STEM Town Hall

Corning High School Gymnasium

904 8^th Street

Corning, IA

Thursday, May 8, 2014

2 p.m. Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and Cork Peterson, Co-owner and Vice President, Peterson Contractors Inc. hold Northeast STEM Town Hall

Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School Gymnasium

600 Blackhawk Street

Reinbeck, IA