Washington, DC - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) will travel to the Gulf Coast Sunday to tour affected areas and participate in a Congressional field hearing on the BP oil spill. The hearing, entitled "Local Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill" will examine the effects of the disaster on communities and the environment in the Gulf Coast region.

"The oil spill in the Gulf Coast has had a tragic and disastrous impact on people's lives, the environment and the economy," Braley said. "As we work to learn more about what caused this, the worst environmental disaster in American history, and to develop preventive measures, it's important we see the damage firsthand to learn the full extent of this crisis."

The hearing will take place in Chalmette, Louisiana on Monday morning. Members will hear testimonies from witnesses including the President of the Institute of Marine Mammal Services, Vice President of the Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce, and the President of the Louisiana Shrimp Association.

Prior to the hearing, Braley will tour local beaches that have been impacted by the oil spill and view the clean-up efforts. After the hearing, Braley will fly over the well site with the United States Coast Guard and view the impacted area from above.

Braley discussed his trip with WQAD on Thursday. View the interview here.

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Legendary entertainer Bob Hope once quipped, "I love to go to Washington, if only to be near my money."  Hope's political humor, his relationship with U.S. presidents, and the interplay among the worlds of comedy, politics and civic activism are showcased in the new public exhibition, "Hope for America: Performers, Politics & Pop Culture," opening at the Library of Congress on Friday, June 11, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  The exhibition will be located in the Bob Hope Gallery of American Entertainment on the ground floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St., S.E. in Washington, D.C.  

Focusing on the careers of Hope and other prominent entertainers, the "Hope for America" exhibit will explore the dynamics of political and social satire and will provide a unique window into the evolution of satirical humor. "This new exhibition differs significantly from the previous one, that celebrated vaudeville, because it explores the time-honored tradition of American comedians commenting on the political scene in satires that have entertained and rattled the political establishment," said William Jacobs, chief of the Library's Interpretive Programs Office.  

"Hope for America" will draw from the treasured Bob Hope Collection, which was donated to the Library by the Hope family in 1998.  On display will be Hope's personal papers, joke files, films and radio and television broadcasts, along with other materials from the Library's vast collections.

The exhibition will examine entertainers' involvement in a wide range of causes and campaigns, especially as leaders in supporting and entertaining American troops abroad.   Hope's commitment to public service for nearly 50 years on behalf of the men and women in the armed forces earned him many honors, including the U. S. Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"Bob Hope has been an inspiration to the many comedians who came after him who do topical, political humor," said contemporary satirist Stephen Colbert.  Reminiscent of his popular television show, Colbert sets up the visitors experience in an introductory video presentation that highlights Hope's USO, television and film performances, and features clips of such notables as Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Al Franken, Jimmy Carter, Jimmy Stewart, Groucho Marx, Sean Penn and Richard Pryor.

Colbert's presentation examines the reasons why Hope was a favorite of 11 presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Bill Clinton.  While Colbert has actually considered a bid for the presidency, Hope?perhaps tongue-in-cheek?tells Johnny Carson in the presentation that his wife "wouldn't want to move to a smaller house."

By tracing the multiple facets of political humor through a wide range of photographs, film clips and original source materials that represent an array of viewpoints, the exhibition will challenge visitors to draw their own conclusions regarding the synergy between politics and entertainment in American society and its consequences for the nation's political culture.  

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library's rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

Men and women who serve within the military and have been stationed abroad often return home with post traumatic stress. Reconnecting these individuals with family and community is critical to their healing process. A forum for individuals and families to talk about their experiences, in the hopes of encouraging and inspiring a positive outcome from challenges faced, will be on air weekly.Family on the Frontline is a division of the non-profit organization Welcome Home Troops. Learn more about Welcome Home Troops at http://www.usawelcomehometroops.org/

Listen to Family on the Frontline radio show, Monday's at 4pm/EST on www.radioearnetwork.com , hosted by Angela Schaefers

Davenport, IA - March 3rd, 2010 -THIS TV, the free broadcast movie network from MGM Studios and Weigel Broadcasting, is coming to the Quad Cities!  While over-the-air viewers have been able to watch THIS Quad Cities on channel 26.2 since December 10th, 2009, Muscatine Power & Water Cable subscribers were recently introduced to THIS Quad Cities on digital channel 146 while Mediacom Cable viewers were able to start enjoying the station on digital channel 113 starting March 3rd! Some of Hollywood's finest motion pictures from the treasured MGM library of over 4,100 timeless films have been blended with 10,000 hours of television's golden age to create THIS TV.

"THIS TV gives viewers in the Quad Cities area a new and free programming alternative," stated John Bryan, Executive Vice President, Broadcast Strategy, MGM. "Audiences know the MGM brand stands for quality entertainment and THIS TV delivers on that promise and more.  With blockbuster films and nostalgic television series from MGM's vast library, movie and TV buffs of all ages will find it equally entertaining."

THIS TV is a free movie and entertainment channel that airs a wide variety of films featuring first-rate star power, ranging from sweeping motion pictures such as "The Alamo" starring John Wayne, to Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland in "The Great Train Robbery" and "Moonraker" with Roger Moore as James Bond; to more contemporary fare including "At First Sight" with Oscar winner Mira Sorvino and Val Kilmer, and Mickey Rourke in "A Prayer for the Dying."

Television classics include :  "Stargate SG-1," "The Addams Family," "Mr. Ed," "Flipper," "The Outer Limits" and "Cagney & Lacey." Saturday mornings feature a children's block with such shows as the "Busy World of Richard Scary," "Wimzie's House," "The Country Mouse, City Mouse Adventures," and "The Adventures of Paddington Bear."

In addition to a great selection of iconic films and television series from the MGM library, THIS TV features original specials, Hollywood tributes and uniquely themed program nights that make the channel relevant to what's happening in today's entertainment scene. Recent specials include a behind-the-scenes look at Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Basterds" starring Brad Pitt and tributes to such stars as Farah Fawcett and David Carradine.

"Adding THIS TV was an easy choice for us," said John Bain, Director of Programming. "THIS TV has an ability to offer an enormous amount of high quality, star-studded movies that aren't the usual oversaturated fare found on other networks and we felt that a free movie channel will have mass appeal to our viewers."

For schedule highlights, viewers may check their local listings or visit http://www.this.tv/.

About THIS TV

THIS TV, cleared in over 80% of the United States, is a programming service for local television stations delivered over their digital platform. Created jointly by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Weigel Broadcasting, the channel leverages MGM's treasured library, which features over 4,100 films and 10,000 hours of television programming.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles.  Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com.