February 2017

Originally broadcast 02/08/2017
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Leanne Harter gave her monthly Story County report including plans for Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor.

The implications of State Study Bill 67 to beconsidered by the House Public Safety Commitee were explored, first at the forum held in Story City on February 4, in a dialogue between Representative Dave Deyoe and Rick Exner. We reported its fate in the Public Safety Committee where 75 protesters stormed the hearing, denouncing the “You’re Not Welcome Here” bill. The protest failed to prevent the bill passing out of committee.

Then we focused on Webster City, where we heard from Janet Toering, director of All Cultures Equal Community Center (ACE) about the importance of immigrants to the economy of Iowa. Zoami Calles-Rios-Sosa, President of ACE, told us about the ways citizens of Webster City are supporting their immigrant populations through a new organization Better Together.

We wrapped up this topic with an interview with JoAnn Barten, Ames immigration lawyer, about some of the legal complexities immigrants can face.

Originally broadcast 02/03/2017
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On Friday, February 3, the president signed an executive order barring entry to the Unites States for residents from 7 predominantly Muslim countries, including Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The immigration ban impacts 100 students at ISU.

A protest in solidarity with Black and Muslim communities.was planned at ISU for February 9 – “Hoodies and Hijabs”. On February 2nd there was a rally and march in Des Moines to protest the Immigration Ban and the Border Wall. Brenda Brink, from Huxley and Suzanne Zilber, from Ames were a the rally and give their reports. Jim Pease, retired Iowa State Professor in the Natural Resource and Ecology Management Department and longtime extension wildlife specialist, speaks about national as well as local ramifications for science due to the presidential executive order putting a gag on public statements and inter-departmental emails and freeze on grants for the United States Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency.

Susan Gwiasda, Public Relations Officer for the City of Ames gives a monthly civic update.