DES MOINES, IA (08/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Jake Keppy of Durant captured the Grand Champion Market in the FFA Market Swine Show judged Thursday and Friday at the 2012 Iowa State Fair. Keppy's hog first won the Champion Purebred Market Pig banner on the drive to the championship.

Earning the Reserve Grand Champion title this year was Chelsea Schminke of Van Horne.

Alexis Delaney of DeWitt claimed the Reserve Champion Purebred Market Swine award.

The judge had his hands full selecting champions out of 547 hogs brought by 266 exhibitors vying for the Grand Champion banner.

Division winners in the FFA Market Swine Show included:

Light Weight Barrow Champion: Jacklyn Keninger, Ackley

Light Weight Barrow Reserve Champion: Kole Wilson, Newton

Medium Weight Barrow Champion: Austin Lane, Spragueville

Medium Weight Barrow Reserve Champion: Ben Jacobsen, Dows

Heavy Weight Barrow Champion: Chelsea Schminke, Van Horne

Heavy Weight Barrow Reserve Champion: Jacklyn Keninger, Ackley

Light Weight Gilt Champion: Callie Greiner, Keota

Light Weight Gilt Reserve Champion: Kolton Greiner, Keota

Medium Weight Gilt Champion: Ryan Schneider, Riverside

Medium Weight Gilt Reserve Champion: Chelsea Keninger, Ackley

Heavy Weight Gilt Champion: Jacklyn Keninger, Ackley

Heavy Weight Gilt Reserve Champion: Amanda Anderson, Algona

Bershire Champion: Brandon Reedy, Ottumwa

Bershire Reserve Champion: Austin Lane, Spragueville

Chester White Champion: Brandon Reed, Ottumwa

Chester White Reserve Champion: Brandon Reed, Ottumwa

Duroc Champion: Samuel Bair, Elkhart

Duroc Reserve Champion: Maggie Miller, Ames

Hampshire Champion: Kelsey Brecht, Marengo

Hampshire Reserve Champion: Kelsey Brecht, Marengo

Spotted Poland China Champion: Alex Umbaugh, Adair

Spotted Poland China Reserve Champion: Clara Goddard, Letts

Yorkshire Champion: Jake Keppy, Durant

Yorkshire Reserve Champion: Alexis Delaney, DeWitt

All Other Breeds Champion: Zach Caslavka, Muscatine

All Other Breeds Reserve Champion: Ashley Olson, Atkins

Keppy's and Schminke's title holders, as well as 12 other livestock champions, will be auctioned in the prestigious Sale of Champions on Saturday, August 18, at 2 p.m. in the Penningroth Media Center of the Cattle Barn. The event is sponsored by the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement, a non-profit organization established to encourage the pursuit of agriculture-related careers by Iowa's youth.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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NFPA and SAE International team up to advance discussions on EV safety

August 13, 2012 - The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and SAE International are co-hosting the 3rd Annual Electric Vehicle Safety Standards Summit to be held October 18, 2012 at the COBO Center in Detroit. The program addresses electric vehicle safety issues related to codes and standards and is aimed at planning for improved safety as the number of these vehicles continues to increase on roadways. A reception will take place on the evening of October 17th which includes admission to the SAE Convergence 2012 Exhibition.

"Stakeholders have made significant progress in addressing safety issues and making improvements based on discussion points of the two previous summits, but there is still more work to be done," said Christian Dubay, P.E., NFPA vice president of codes and standards, and chief engineer. "The collaborative efforts expected at this year's forum and the follow up from it will once again move the needle in the direction of safer implementation of electrical vehicles."

Speakers and attendees with a shared interest in improving safety attend this event, including vehicle manufacturers, governmental agencies, standards developing organizations, and first and second responders. The program focuses on safety codes and standards and other key areas aimed at improving awareness and knowledge of electric vehicles and supporting their successful integration into society.

"In today's world of advanced technology, much quicker progress can be achieved by collaborative efforts. We look forward to this next Summit and continuing cooperative work with NFPA in the area of battery safety by engaging a wealth of SAE engineering expertise," said Jack Pokrzywa, director of ground vehicle standards for SAE International.

NFPA has a long history of commitment to electrical safety as developer and publisher of the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) since 1911. The NEC sets the standard for the safe use of electricity and electrical installations. NFPA also coordinates the Electric Vehicle Safety Training project, a nationwide program to help firefighters and other first responders prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road in the United States.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.sae.org/events/nevss/ or www.EVsafetytraining.org/summit. (NFPA page being updated.)

About SAE

SAE International is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary consensus standards development. SAE International's charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series. Visit SAE International's website for additional information.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit NFPA's website at www.nfpa.org for more information.

Governor Meets with Business Leaders to Discuss Impact of Pension Inaction on Universities, Community Colleges and MAP Grants

CHICAGO - August 13, 2012. In a meeting today with the Executives' Club of Chicago, Governor Pat Quinn shared new data showing that higher education in Illinois is likely to receive more significant funding reductions in the coming years if comprehensive pension reform is not enacted. According to an analysis conducted by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (OMB), approximately 26,000 students may not have the needed resources to go to college in five years due to projected reductions to MAP grant funding.

The governor discussed the need for pension reform today with business leaders and CEOs who often stress their need for a stable business climate and a strong, well-trained workforce. Governor Quinn is urging legislators to restore fiscal stability to Illinois and pass comprehensive pension reform during special session on August 17.

"A strong higher education system drives economic development and is essential to moving Illinois forward," Governor Quinn said. "We must rise to the occasion, act responsibly and get the job done on pension reform for the people of Illinois."

If comprehensive pension reform is not enacted, funding for state universities, community colleges and college scholarships for needy students with merit could be reduced by more than $280 million by FY 2018. Higher education has seen steady reductions in recent years as fast-rising pension costs continue to squeeze out critical services.

Pension reform that includes a gradual normal cost realignment will alleviate funding pressure for state universities and community colleges, who have also written in support of a phased-in cost realignment. According to the data, universities and community colleges will face reductions that greatly exceed any normal cost expenses they would gradually assume under the governor's pension reform plan.

For example, under the governor's plan, state universities and community colleges are projected to assume $21.3 million in new normal pension costs in FY 2014. If comprehensive pension reform with a normal cost realignment is not enacted, the analysis shows that state universities and community colleges could see more than $60 million in reductions in FY 2014.

Currently, Illinois' pension system faces $83 billion in unfunded liability - the worst in the nation. This deficit is expected to grow to more than $92 billion by the end of FY 2013 unless major reforms are enacted. Governor Quinn has proposed a comprehensive pension reform plan that will eliminate the unfunded liability over the next 30 years.

State universities and community colleges help shape the future of Illinois by fostering innovation and economic growth. Illinois' higher education institutions provide students with more opportunities and prepare them for the workforce, to ensure that businesses have access to strong workforce talent.

The analysis is attached. For more information on the need for pension reform and to contact your legislator, please visit SaveOurState.Illinois.gov.