(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad yesterday signed Executive Order 83, ensuring local control in determining Iowa Core's state academic standards and assessments. The executive order reads as follows:

Executive Order Number Eighty-three

WHEREAS, the Iowa Constitution encourages a strong educational foundation by providing that, "[t]he General Assembly shall encourage, by all suitable means, the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral, and agricultural improvement" (Iowa Const. art. IX, 2d, § 3); and

WHEREAS, rigorous state standards detailing expected academic achievement are essential to provide a high-quality education, which is key to students' futures and the future of this state; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of state standards should be done in an open, transparent way that

includes opportunities for Iowans to review and offer input; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of local school districts to make decisions related to

curricula, instruction, and learning materials consistent with state academic

standards; and

WHEREAS, it is inappropriate for the federal government to require as a condition of

application of federal grants the adoption of any federally developed standards; and

WHEREAS, the protection of student and family privacy is paramount and Iowa must protect its citizens against intrusive, unnecessary data collection and tracking.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terry E. Branstad, Governor of the State of Iowa, declare the following:

The State of Iowa, not the federal government or any other organization, shall determine the content of Iowa's state academic standards, which are known as the Iowa Core.  The Iowa Department of Education shall develop a regular review cycle for the Iowa Core, including public comment, to determine the contents of and to continually improve state academic standards.

The State of Iowa, not the federal government or any other organization, shall choose the statewide assessments that will measure how well students have mastered the Iowa Core.  School districts may also choose to use additional assessments to measure student academic progress.

The collection of student data by school districts and the Iowa Department of Education shall be done in a manner consistent with state and federal laws intended to protect student and family privacy.  Only aggregate student data shall be provided to the federal government to comply with federal laws.

No Constitutional right of Iowa children and their families shall be violated through an overreach by the federal government into Iowa's educational system.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HERE­UNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED.  DONE AT DES MOINES THIS 16th DAY OF OCTOBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN.

__________________________________

TERRY E. BRANSTAD

GOVERNOR OF IOWA

ATTEST:

_________________________________

MATT SCHULTZ

SECRETARY OF STATE

DAVENPORT – The Board of Directors for Center for Active Seniors (CASI) are proud to announce Laura Kopp as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Kopp joined the Quad Cities community 10 years ago, when she relocated from the south Florida area with her husband, Dr. Steve Kopp, who was born and raised in northwest Davenport.

Kopp is looking forward to her new role and is thrilled to be joining the agency at such a crucial time.

"My professional and personal goal has always been to be a part of developing a healthy, strong and vibrant community where I can raise my children. Through my work with abused children, troubled youth and adults with significant disabilities, I feel I have laid some of that groundwork. Joining CASI at a time when the demographics of the Quad Cities demand a more comprehensive set of services for our seniors, will be the realization of a lifelong dream for me."

"Seniors and senior services are changing and we needed someone who could help mold CASI's future," said Board Chair Gwen Tombergs. "Laura brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm which will well serve CASI and its clientele."

Kopp's most recent position was as the Vice President of Programs with Goodwill of the Heartland where she provided direct oversight to 23 rehabilitative programs across a 19 county territory. Kopp has served previously as the Director of Clinical Services for Family Resources, Inc, and the Director of Children's Trauma Services with the Child Abuse Council. Kopp earned a Master's degree in Educational Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1996.

Kopp was recognized as one of the Quad Cities Area Leaders Under 40 by Blackhawk College in 2007. In addition to her work within the not-for-profit arena, Kopp has been involved in the Quad Cities United Way Income Council, the Scott County Community Partnerships for Protecting Children, and the Iowa Chapter of Child Advocacy Centers.

Kopp and her husband, Steve, reside in Davenport along with their two children.

# # #

MOLINE, Ill. (October 16, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have re-signed 2012-13 Central Hockey League Rookie of the Year Mike Hellyer and have waived forward Tyler Melancon, the Mallards announced today.                                                                       
"We're very happy to have Mike back.  He's a guy we're able to count on in every situation," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.  "He does a lot offensively but he's also someone we count on defensively so he's going to play a very important role for us this season."

Hellyer, a 27-year old forward, rejoins the Mallards after participating in training camp with the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors.  Hellyer last season led CHL rookies in points (61), assists (38) and plus/minus rating (+15) and finished third among first year players in goals (23).  The 5' 9", 170-pound Brandon, Manitoba, native ranked second on the Mallards in points and assists and third in goals.  Hellyer was also named to the 2012-13 CHL All-Rookie Team.

A lower body injury suffered in the Mallards' playoff opener against the Fort Worth Brahmas last spring ended Hellyer's season slightly prematurely, but he has since made a full recovery.

Hellyer broke into professional hockey at the tail end of last of the 2011-12 season.  He played three regular season games that spring for both the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL and the CHL's Brahmas.  Hellyer went on to score three goals and pick up three assists in a dozen playoff games during the Brahmas' run to the Berry Conference finals.

Hellyer turned pro after spending five seasons at the University of Manitoba.  Last year he scored four times and collected 16 points in 25 games while captaining Manitoba to the Canada West University Athletic Association regular season title.  Over the course of his university career, Hellyer scored 36 times and produced 98 points in 135 games.  He served as team captain each of his final two years with Bisons.  Before matriculating, Hellyer skated for four seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders of the major junior Western Hockey League.  He notched 54 goals and 143 points in 262 career WHL games and acted as the Raiders' captain in 2006-07.

The Mallards will open their seventeenth season- and their fourth in the CHL- when they host the Rapid City Rush Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.  A pregame Fan Fest outside the iWireless Center will precede the opener from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.  The Fan Fest will feature live music- including plenty of classic covers- from the Loan

Sharks, food and beverage stands, a beer tent, the arrival of the Mallards' new Ice Girls and Mo Mallard, the team's perennially popular mascot.  In addition, Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski will stop by to deliver his season-opening welcome to fans on hand.  There will also be ample entertainment for younger fans, including a bounce house and a petting zoo.

Opening night festivities will continue after the Mallards' match-up with Rapid City with a post-game party at Rascals.  Mallards players will join fans at Rascals, which is located at 1414 15th Street in Moline.

Opening night tickets cover admission to both the Mallards' battle with the Rush and the Fan Fest.  Fans can enjoy savings off the regular ticket price by purchasing a four-pack of lower level seats for opening night for just $44.  $44 four-packs can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office or by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364.

All other tickets for the season opener and all other Mallards regular season home games are also now on sale at Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com, through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000 or at the iWireless Center ticket office.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Mallards season tickets as well as half season tickets and flex packs are also still available.  The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget and season ticket holders also receive a host of additional benefits, including a unique season ticket holder Mallards jersey.  More ticket package information is available by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or emailing info@myqcmallards.com.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are approaching their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards. 

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after a bipartisan compromise was reached to end the needless shutdown and avert the economic consequences of defaulting.

"Make no mistake about it, the bipartisan compromise announced today, at the end of the 11^th hour, could have been avoided and dealt with months ago. It is unconscionable that a small group of Tea Party Republicans would take our economy to the brink. Congress must pass this compromise immediately and end this manufactured crisis that is already hurting our economy.

"While I stand ready to continue to work with any member of Congress to avoid a similar crisis in the future, unfortunately, I remain unconvinced that the result will be any different next time. This agreement once again kicks the can down the road. We should have already come to a long-term solution. Iowans are demanding that Congress turn its attention from brinksmanship and political games to growing the economy and creating jobs. Fixing the economy and getting Iowans back to work has been and will continue to be my number one priority."