DES MOINES, IA (01/02/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants to encourage families to start their New Year off with a bang by considering a contribution to a loved one's future education. "With the New Year, comes an increased Iowa state income tax deduction when making contributions to College Savings Iowa," Fitzgerald said. "Iowa taxpayers are now able to deduct the first $3,098 they contribute per child on their 2014 state taxes.* What better way to start off a new year than with an early deduction off of your taxes?"

College Savings Iowa is the state sponsored college savings plan that allows participants to start saving on behalf of a future scholar. "One of the best features of College Savings Iowa is how easy it is to get started," continued Fitzgerald. "All you need is $25 and ten minutes of your time to start saving for a loved one's future educational expenses. I encourage all families to save whatever they can today to help offset what has to be borrowed in the future.

College Savings Iowa lets parents, grandparents, friends and relatives invest for college on behalf of a future scholar. Investors in the plan can withdraw their investment tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses. These expenses include tuition, books, supplies and room and board at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.** While participants do not need to be an Iowa resident to invest in the plan, they do need to be an Iowa taxpayer to take advantage of the Iowa income tax deduction.

"By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, you could make 2014 a year to never forget," Fitzgerald said. "Not only will you get a tax deduction, but this could be the year you take that first step towards helping a loved one start financing the path to the rest of their life."

. To stay up to date on current giveaways and events, connect with the Plan on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan).

*If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. Amount adjusted annually for inflation.

**Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax on the earnings, 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 the 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 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.

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal today announced they have made a friendly wager on the Outback Bowl aimed at helping feed the hungry in Iowa and Louisiana. The 2014 Outback Bowl featuring the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers will be played on January 1, 2014, in Tampa, FL.

If the Iowa Hawkeyes beat the LSU Tigers, Gov. Jindal will donate 100 pounds of Louisiana seafood to an Iowa food bank and another 100 pounds of Louisiana seafood to a Louisiana food bank. If the LSU Tigers beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, Gov. Branstad will donate 100 pounds of Iowa pork to a Louisiana food bank and another 100 pounds of Iowa pork to an Iowa food bank.

"In the spirit of friendly competition, I'm pleased to join Governor Jindal in this friendly wager which aims to help feed the less fortunate in our states," said Branstad.  "As a life-long Iowan and a graduate of the University of Iowa, I'm looking forward to watching the Hawkeyes compete against the Louisiana State University Tigers and bring home a victory at the Outback Bowl in Tampa."

"I am looking forward to a great game between the Tigers and the Hawkeyes, and I am thrilled to make this friendly wager with Governor Branstad to benefit the hungry in both states," said Jindal.  "It is always a little sad to see the end of the college football season, but I am very proud of this LSU Tigers team and I know they will finish the season with a victory."

The Deb & Jeff Hansen Iowa Select Farms Foundation has committed to donating the Iowa pork.  Iowa taxpayer dollars will not be used for the friendly wager. The 2014 Outback Bowl airs on ESPN at noon.

BRAMPTON, Ontario (December 30, 2013) - Mike Stinziani scored twice and Thomas Heemskerk made 31 saves as the Quad City Mallards defeated the host Brampton Beast 3-2 Monday night. With the victory, the Mallards extended their season best wining streak to five games, claimed sole possession of third place in the Central Hockey League and completed a three game sweep of the Beast.

Stinziani's second goal proved to be the game winner. He split the Brampton defense to break a 2-2 tie at 5:12 of the second period- just over three minutes after Josh McQuade had evened the contest by snapping home a power play goal from the bottom of the left wing circle.

The Mallards successfully protected what was their third one-goal lead for the final 34 minutes and 48 seconds due in good part to fine work from Heemskerk. The Mallards' netminder was at his busiest in the third period, making 14 saves as the Mallards closed out the Beast.

The Mallards had twice grabbed the lead in the opening period. Stinziani opened the scoring on a breakaway at 13:52 of the first period. The Beast was on the power play when Andrew Fournier tipped in the tying goal at 17:42 of the first. That deadlock lasted just 33 seconds before Matt Boyd's shorthanded goal put the Mallards back on top 2-1. Boyd steered home Gergo Nagy's centering feed to reestablish the lead.

Mallards forward Jordan Lane missed Monday night's game after being assessed a two-game suspension by the Central Hockey League. Lane, who was suspended after picking up a game misconduct in the Mallards' win in Brampton last Saturday night, will also sit out the Mallards' game Friday evening against the St. Charles Chill.