MOLINE, ILLINOIS - Inspired by his attorney father and following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, Justice Charles M. Waterman, who served on the Iowa Supreme Court from 1898 to 1902, newly elected Justice Tom Waterman sits down to talk with Jim Mertens on "The Cities." The program will air on Thursday, July 7th at 6:30 pm and Sunday, July 10 at 5:30 pm.

Speaking about his appointment, Justice Waterman said "I was thrilled to land the position for the Quad Cities. We haven't had a resident justice here since Linda Neumann retired in 2003..." he went on to say "...It's important both for the court and for the Quad Cities to have a resident justice here again. It improves communications, and a lot of what our Supreme Court does is to administer the rules and the personnel in the judicial branch..." Justice Waterman said he was honored to have been appointed to the court and "After 9-11, like many American's, I felt an impulse to give back to the community." He feels strongly that this job fulfills that goal.

Host Jim Mertens asked if it bothered him how the court was politicized the way it was prior to the 2010 elections. Waterman responded "Well, it was a shock to the judicial system, and one thing I've seen now that I'm serving on the court is the backlog the new justices have inherited because the court was at barely over half strength for a number of months and very distracted before it.  It had never happened before, and normally the Supreme Court changes one justice at a time, normally through retirement. It never lost three and never had three new members join all at once. At the same time, that made the need all the greater and the opportunity to serve all the more important..." he went on to say "I think it's very important to our system of checks and balances that our court not get politicized, and two of the downsides to what happened are the risks that justices and judges will get intimidated and base a decision on what they think is popular rather than what the law requires."

Among his plans on the court, he wants more of Iowa's citizens to see how the court works." I hope to bring the court to Davenport within the next year or so. It provides the public with an opportunity to come to a local auditorium, see the court in action and one of my favorite parts of the job is the oral arguments," Waterman said.

Other innovations on the court, is the videotaping of arguments before the court. By archiving the cases, people can go to the Iowa Supreme Court website and be better informed about the cases before the court and their outcomes. Justice Waterman feels that it is the job of the justices to "protect the integrity of the system" and said that upcoming cases include civil, criminal and constitutional issues. To find out more about Justice Tom Waterman, tune in to WQPT Thursday at 6:30 pm.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University located in Moline, Illinois.

LAS VEGAS, July 6, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) has scheduled its second quarter 2011 financial results conference call for July 28, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern). A live broadcast of the conference call will be available through the company's Investor Relations website homepage at http://ir.allegiant.com. The webcast will also be archived on the "Events & Presentations" section of the site.

               When:     Thursday, July 28, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern)
               Who:       Maurice J. Gallagher Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                             Andrew C. Levy, President 
                             Scott Sheldon, Chief Financial Officer
               How:       Web Address: http://ir.allegiant.com

About the Company
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix-Mesa, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.  Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel-related services.  In 2010, Allegiant was ranked number one for low-cost carriers in Aviation Week's Top Performing Airline study and ranked 25 on FORTUNE magazine's Fastest-Growing Companies list.  ALGT/G

Note: This news release was accurate at the date of issuance. However, information contained in the release may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

For further information please visit the company's investor website: http://ir.allegiant.com

Reference to the Company's website above does not constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon into this news release.

Media Inquiries: Kristine Shattuck-Cooper: 1-702-853-4625

mediarelations@allegiantair.com

Investor Inquiries: Christopher Allen: 1-702-851-7365

ir@allegiantair.com

ATLANTA (07/06/2011)(readMedia)-- Elizabeth Horvat of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722), daughter of Valerie Horvat of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722) and Anthony Horvat of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722), received a Bachelor of Arts from Emory College of Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., at its 166th commencement ceremony on May 9, 2011.

Emory University is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate experience, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities. Perennially ranked as one of the country's top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report, Emory encompasses nine academic divisions as well as the Carlos Museum, The Carter Center, the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, Georgia's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Elizabeth-Horvat-Graduates-from-Emory-University/2774332.

Tour special exhibition of American Chairs with docents

The Figge Art Museum presents the art talk "Goldilocks' Dilemma" at 7 pm Thursday, July 7. The talk is offered in conjunction with the special exhibitionThe Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Chair Design. Sandy Fritz, Judie Lance, Lois Nichols, Stephanie Rapahel-Nakos will talk about their favorite chairs: a Shaker rocking chair (c.1840), an office chair designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his Johnson Wax Company building in Racine, Wisconsin, and a "Texas Longhorn Chair" (ca. 1890) made with actual horns. The talk lasts 30 minutes. 

The Art of Seating will be on view at the Figge through September 4. The exhibition is developed by the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and the Jacobsen Collection of American Art, and organized by International Art & Artists, Washington, D.C. For additional exhibition-related programs, please visit the Figge website at www.figgeart.org.

Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members.

-end-

Information session offered July 13

The Figge Art Museum is offering a free information session on the museum's Candidate Docent Training Program at 10:30 am Wednesday, July 13. Docents are volunteers who lead exhibition tours for schoolchildren and adults. Museum staff will explain the program requirements and answer questions prospective docents may have about the program. The information session will last about an hour.

The Candidate Docent Training Program consists of short art history lectures, gallery talks, and group activities to learn how to talk about and interpret works of art on display in the Figge galleries. The program runs 9:00-11:30 Wednesday, September 7-December 14. The program is taught by Figge Curator of Education Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson, guest lecturers, and Figge docents who serve as mentors.

The information session is free, but reservations are appreciated. To make a reservation, call Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson at 563.326.7804 x7887.

For more information about the Figge's Docent Program, please visit the Figge website at www.figgeart.org.

LAS VEGAS - Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) has obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin operating the Boeing 757-200 aircraft type.

"This is an important day for Allegiant," Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President, said.  "The addition of the Boeing 757-200 will play an important role in our company's future growth.  Our operations team worked long and hard to ensure the completion of this certification and we thank them for their dedication in achieving this important goal."

Allegiant's operating fleet now consists of 51 MD-80 aircraft and one Boeing 757-200 aircraft.  The company owns three additional 757-200 aircraft, which are being leased to two European carriers until mid-2012.  Allegiant has committed to the purchase of two additional 757-200s, which is expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2011.  These aircraft are expected to be introduced into Allegiant's fleet during the first quarter of 2012.

The Boeing 757-200 is a narrow body, twin-engine, medium-range jetliner.  Each 757-200 will hold 217 passengers in a single-class, three-by-three seat configuration.  Allegiant will begin to operate the 757 on existing routes between Las Vegas and McAllen, Texas, and between Las Vegas and Rockford, Ill.

The next focus for the company will be to gain Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards 180 (ETOPS) certification and Flag Carrier status from the FAA for the 757-200.  Both are required for flying to Hawaii, which the company anticipates achieving in summer 2012.

"We look forward to serving the Hawaiian market with the same business model that has made Allegiant so successful on the mainland?linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations," Levy added.

Allegiant, travel is our deal.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix-Mesa, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.  Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel-related services.  In 2010, Allegiant was ranked number one for low-cost carriers in Aviation Week's Top Performing Airline study and ranked 25 on FORTUNE magazine's Fastest-Growing Companies list.  Receive breaking news from Allegiant by visiting Allegiant's Facebook Fan Page atwww.facebook.com/Allegiant or follow Allegiant on Twitter at twitter.com/allegianttravel.

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"Foreign Events and Views that impacted the American Civil War" will be presented by Dr. Art Pitz, professor emeritus of Blackhawk College, at the German American Heritage Center and Museum on Sunday July, 10 at 2:00.The presentation will feature a review of views and events outside the United States which impacted how foreign powers analyzed the conflict. Topics include the Corn laws in England, famine in Ireland, the 1848 revolutions in Europe reforms in Egypt in the mid 1800's and immigration patterns from abroad. How did they influence thought prior to the outbreak of American hostilities?

Dr Pitz is a much requested speaker on historical topics and foreign affairs in the Quad City region.

Cost: Adults $5.00. Adults over 60 $4.00, Children 5-17 $3.00, DAHC members free.

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement on President Obama's change to the condolence letter policy for soldiers who commit suicide:

"I strongly support the President's change of the condolence letter policy, and I share his commitment to removing the stigma associated with the unseen wounds of war. I'll continue to fight for expanded access to mental health care for all current members of our armed services and the brave veterans who served this country."

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Reforms Will Improve Infant and Newborn Safety Throughout Illinois

NAPERVILLE - July 6, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to increase the safety of infant and newborn children throughout Illinois. Under House Bill 2099, child care workers who care for newborns and infants will be required to complete regular training on how to prevent sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

"It is important that those who work with our children possess the most up-to-date health and safety information," said Governor Quinn. "This legislation ensures that child care workers in Illinois will continue to provide the highest standard of care."

House Bill 2099 requires all licensed child care facility employees who care for newborns and infants to complete training at least every three years on sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and the safe sleep recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The bill was an initiative of SIDS of Illinois, an organization of parents who have lost children due to SIDS or SUID and are committed to educating others about preventable infant death. SUID and SIDS are leading causes of death in infants under two years of age, and approximately 20 percent of SIDS deaths occur while the infant is in the care of a non-parental caregiver.

House Bill 2099 was sponsored by Representative Emily McAsey (D-Lockport) and Senator A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

In July 2010, Governor Quinn signed House Bill 5930, which requires birth hospitals to provide safe sleep information to parents as they leave the hospital. This legislation took effect at the beginning of 2011.

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