IOWA CITY, Iowa - Three University of Iowa graduates are holding a red carpet premiere tour event at different college campuses around the Midwest including Purdue, Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Columbia, and Grand Valley State University for their locally shot film, 'The Formula.'.  In addition to screening the film,  cast and crew members will also be present for a Q and A session and after party, including the star of the film, Brandon Baker. After starring in the Disney Channel film, 'Johnny Tsunami,' and as Mowgli in 'The Jungle Book,' this is Baker's first feature film after a five year hiatus. "The Formula," also stars Reginald VelJohnson (Carl Winslow in 'Family Matters' and 'Die Hard'), and Sasha Jackson ('Blue Crush 2').

Backrow Studios' production team Ravi Patel, Tim Nash, and Joe Clarke present, "The Formula." Also starring Second City veterans Mike Schminke and Tyler Thirnbeck, the film is the story of Quinn (Baker) and Graham (Schminke), two engineering students who discover a mathematical formula to pick up women with ease. Quinn is a hopeless romantic who falls head over heels for a young student teacher. Graham is a chauvinistic womanizer who thinks the key to finding the woman of his dreams is by wooing as many as possible. As "The Formula" follows Quinn and Graham from one date to the next, they discover that there is no shortcut to finding true love.

With many of the cast and crew also reigning from the Midwest, "The Formula" is the third film produced by Backrow Studios, LLC. Its first feature length film, "Kung Fu Graffiti," signed a contract for sales and distribution with Los Angeles -based production house Entertainment 7. The company's second feature "The Wedge" is hitting the film festival circuit, and landed three awards including Best Professional Feature at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Makers Festival.

"The Formula" was directed by Joe Clarke and Thomas Beecher, with executive producer Ravi Patel. For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact producer Joe Clarke at 712-898-5390.

Legislation includes Loebsack's measure to move Cedar Rapids flood protection forward

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). This bipartisan legislation will authorize Corps of Engineers funding for improvements to ports, waterways and projects tied to flood protection, drinking water, dams and levees and environmental restoration. The legislation also includes flood protection measures that Loebsack fought to expand after the Floods of 2008. Congressman Loebsack fought to secure funding that was needed to complete the study and allow the Cedar Rapids flood protection project to be included in this bill. He also pushed to move WRRDA forward in order to address critical flood protection and transportation concerns on the Mississippi River. He is a cosponsor of legislation that was incorporated into WRRDA that will explore the creation of public-private partnerships between the Army Corps of Engineers and private entities as financing alternatives for lock and dam capital projects.

"In what has become par for the course in Washington, an issue of high importance to many Iowans and to the nation was again delayed and put on the back burner. While I am pleased that the House Republicans have finally moved the Water Resources Reform and Development Act forward, it is far past time.

"Our crumbling infrastructure is an area I believe continued investment in is absolutely critical. These are investments that create jobs, have a direct impact on our economy, and provide safety and protection for Iowans. Iowa farmers, manufacturers, businesses and local economies rely on the Mississippi River infrastructure. It is clear that the locks and dams along the Mississippi River are deteriorating and significantly harming the economic development in the region. This bill is very important to Iowa, not just for the locks and dams, but also for much of our flood protection and Army Corps projects that are needed to keep our communities safe. The House and Senate must act without further delay to work out the differences between the two bills so a comprehensive WRRDA bill can be signed into law."

The Senate passed its version of WRRDA earlier this year and the two bills will now go to a Conference Committee to reconcile the differences.

House Bill 2778 heads to governor's desk

SPRINGFIELD - October 23, 2013. Continuing her work to improve rural health care, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today applauded the Illinois General Assembly for passing House Bill 2778. The legislation sponsored by Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Gilson) and Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Champaign) will enable emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to provide more patient services.

"Seconds can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency, and EMTs need to able to use all of their skills and training to aid patients," said Simon, chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. "I would like to thank Rep. Moffitt and Sen. Rose for their leadership, and the EMS Task Force for its work on this important legislation, and I encourage the governor to sign this bill."

The legislation is a result of recommendations released last by the House Emergency Medical Services Task Force. Simon testified in support of streamlining regulations for EMTs and recently hosted an EMS Summit in Springfield. A number of providers gathered to discuss ways to further improve EMS delivery in Illinois.

Rep. Moffitt co-chaired the House Emergency Medical Services Task Force and served as the House sponsor for HB 2778.

"This bill is the result of a lot of hard work, and I thank those who participated in the hearings our EMS Task Force held throughout the state," said Moffitt. "This legislation is important because it allows the EMTs staffing the ambulance to perform medical treatment at the highest level for which they are licensed and trained, instead of being limited only to the basic skills of an ambulance licensed as a basic ambulance service."

"This legislation can help save lives, and I hope the governor will sign it quickly," said Sen. Rose, who sponsored the bill in the Senate. "The men and women staffing ambulances throughout the state should be able to use all of their skills, which can make all the difference in an emergency.

Ambulance services can be delivered at various levels, ranging from basic life support to advanced life support and specialty care transport. Currently, EMTs may provide services only at their assigned ambulance level, even though they may have training to provide a higher level of service.  Under HB 2778, a licensed EMT may perform medical services compliant with his or her level of education or training, regardless of the level of their ambulances.

Lt. Governor Simon is the chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, and enhancing emergency medical services is a part of the council's strategic plan for rural Illinois. HB 2778 passed both chambers and now heads to the governor for signature.