WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to account for serious allegations that case-related document destruction might have compromised enforcement in cases involving suspicious activity at major banks and hedge funds. 

"From what I've seen, it looks as if the SEC might have sanctioned some level of case-related document destruction," Grassley said.  "It doesn't make sense that an agency responsible for investigations would want to get rid of potential evidence.  If these charges are true, the agency needs to explain why it destroyed documents, how many documents it destroyed over what timeframe, and to what extent its actions were consistent with the law."

Grassley's inquiry to the SEC came after an agency whistleblower sent a letter to Grassley describing "the SEC's unlawful destruction of the federal records generated in at least 9,000 informal investigations."  The documents are said to support "matters under inquiry," which is the first step in investigating a case that may or may not lead to a formal investigation.  After reviewing the whistleblower's letter and supporting documents, Grassley sent a letter to the SEC, asking for a full accounting of any document destruction policies, including whether the allegations are correct that the SEC destroyed documents related to Bernard Madoff, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, Lehman Brothers, and SAC Capital.

Grassley wrote in his letter to SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro, "If (the whistleblower's) allegations are correct, the intentional destruction of at least 9,000 MUIs would appear to greatly handicap the SEC's ability to create patterns in complex cases and calls into question the SEC's ability to properly retain and catalog documents."

Grassley is a long-time advocate for whistleblowers and in addition, has a longstanding interest in whether the SEC fulfills its role of protecting consumers from securities fraud.

Most recently, he sought information from the SEC on how the agency handled 65 referrals from an industry regulatory organization regarding suspicious activity at SAC Capital. 

Grassley's letter to the SEC chairman is available here.

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MILWAUKEE, WI - Bicycling is a healthy way to experience the outdoors and incorporate physical activity into an individual's daily life.  It's a flexible activity - not limited to certain ages or intensity levels - that keeps people moving, helps with weight control, and provides enjoyment.  With summer in full swing, TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, offers tips for safe cycling.  Whether you are a member of TOPS or not, use these ideas to stay fit and cycle sensibly.

1. Good fit makes you fit. When choosing a bike, make sure the frame is appropriate.  To find the right fit, straddle the bike and stand flatfooted.  There should be at least one inch of clearance between your groin and the top tube and two inches on a mountain bike.

2. Location, location, location. The handlebars and seat should be positioned correctly for a comfortable, optimal ride.  The seat should be located high or low enough so each knee is bent only slightly at the bottom of each rotation.   Seats are not "one size fits all" and should be appropriate to your build and riding situation.

3. You're not as hardheaded as you think. Always wear a helmet when you ride.  This simple rule protects you from head trauma and brain injury.  The helmet should have a bright, visible color and snug fit that covers as much of your head as possible.

4. Nighttime is not the right time. Avoid riding your bike at night.  Most cycling accidents occur between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. when light levels are low.  If you must ride in low-light conditions, wear brightly colored, reflective gear and install a bright headlight and blinking red taillight for better visibility.

5. Give your brakes a break. Gently and firmly pump brakes at the same time.  Don't squeeze the brakes too hard - and never squeeze the front brake first.

6. Know the rules of the road. Attach a rear-view mirror to your helmet, handlebar, or eyewear.  Ride with traffic, obey all traffic rules, and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other vehicles.  Observe your surroundings and communicate with drivers, using hand signals and eye contact.

7. What's your hurry? If you're out of shape or unaccustomed to riding, start slowly.  Thirty minutes on a flat terrain is a good way to start for the first few weeks.  Gradually work up to greater intensity and hillier terrain for better workouts.

8. Be kind to your body. Cycling should not involve stress or strain.  Keep your arms and shoulders relaxed and avoid locking your elbows.  Shift your hand and body positions frequently.

9. Share the ride. Riding with another person - or as part of a group - can motivate you to become a better cyclist and make the miles fly by more quickly.

10. Variety is the spice of life. Cycling should not be your only workout.  It is not a weight-bearing exercise, so be sure to vary your fitness routine with walking, weightlifting, and other activities.

TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the original, nonprofit weight-loss support and wellness education organization, was established more than 63 years ago to champion weight-loss support and success.  Founded and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, TOPS promotes successful, affordable weight management with a philosophy that combines healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness information, and support from others at weekly chapter meetings. TOPS has about 170,000 members in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8677.

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AMES, Iowa - Constructing or upgrading a farm shop requires decisions about insulation and heating systems. A new publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach addresses energy efficiency for shop heating.

"Conserve Heat Energy in the Farm Shop" (PM 2089P) is available to download from the Extension Online Store, www.extension.iastate.edu/store.

"Seasonal and day-to-day use of the farm shop determines much of your energy consumption, but design features such as insulation and supplementary heating can be selected to conserve energy," said Greg Brenneman, ISU Extension agricultural engineer.

This publication explains recommended R-Values for shop insulation, as well as the placement of foundation insulation, windows and overhead doors when constructing a shop facility. It also addresses some of the features of different shop heating systems, including forced-air, infrared and in-floor heating.

For more tips on energy efficiency around the farmstead, visit http://farmenergy.exnet.iastate.edu or follow @ISU_Farm_Energy on Twitter.

The Farm Energy publications are part of a series of farm energy conservation and efficiency educational materials being developed through the ISU Farm Energy Initiative. The purpose is to increase farmers' awareness of opportunities for improving efficient use of farm energy. The initiative also will help farmers and utility providers to explore opportunities to reduce farm energy demand and to improve overall profitability in a rapidly changing energy environment.

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Creating a beautiful, functioning landscape depends on putting the right plant in the right place at the right time. Iowa State University Extension horticulturists describe the correct plants and care to give late summer and early fall plantings. To have additional questions answered, contact the experts at hortline@iastate.edu or call 515-294-3108.

Is fall a good time to plant trees?

Late summer and fall is an excellent time to plant balled and burlapped and container-grown trees and shrubs. Evergreens should be planted by early October in Iowa. Evergreens retain their foliage (needles) through winter. Evegreens need adequate time to get established at their new site before the onset of winter to prevent desiccation injury. Deciduous trees and shrubs drop their leaves in fall and go dormant. Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted up to mid- to late November.

Late summer and fall planted trees and shrubs should be watered on a regular basis during the remainder of the year. Periodically check the moisture status of the plant's root-ball. Water newly planted trees and shrubs when their root-balls begin to dry out. Continue watering until the ground freezes in winter.

When is the best time to sow grass seed?

Late summer (mid-August to mid-September) is the best time to seed new lawns and overseed existing lawns. Late summer planting has several advantages over spring seeding. The seeds of cool-season grasses germinate quickly in the warm soil of late summer. The warm days and cool nights of early fall promote rapid turfgrass growth. The growing grass also has less competition from weeds as few weed seeds germinate in the fall.

After seeding, keep the upper 1 inch of soil moist with frequent, light applications of water. Most turfgrasses should germinate in two to three weeks if the seedbed is kept uniformly moist. Gradually reduce the frequency of watering, but water more deeply, when the turfgrass reaches a height of 1 to 2 inches. Mow the grass when it reaches the height of 3 to 3 ½ inches.

Can perennials be planted in fall?

Late summer and early fall is an excellent time to plant many perennials. It also is a good time to move or divide perennials, such as peony, daylily, garden phlox and oriental poppy. Perennials planted in late summer or early fall should be mulched with 4 to 6 inches of straw, pine needles or other materials in late fall. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil that can heave plants out of the ground. Plants heaved out of the soil may be severely damaged or destroyed due to the drying of the exposed plant crowns and roots.

Is fall a good time to plant chrysanthemums?

Unfortunately, fall planted garden mums usually don't survive the winter even when given winter protection. Flowering mums purchased in late summer or early fall should be regarded as temporary additions to the landscape. Spring is the best time to plant mums in Iowa. Spring planted mums have the entire growing season to get established and usually survive the winter much better than those planted in fall.

When is the best time to plant peonies?

Peonies are available as potted and bare root plants. Potted peonies are often available at garden centers and can be planted anytime during the growing season. Bare root peonies are best planted in late summer/early fall (September in Iowa). When planting bare root peonies, position the "eyes" (buds) 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface.

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