August 2019

Labor Day, Healthy Life Cente

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 08/30/2019
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Today's program featured an interview with Dan Homan, the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Iowa Council 61.  He discussed the state of labor unions in the United States, the decline of union membership in the private sector, and why he believes unions are important to American workers.

Also appearing on the program was Tom Durkin, who is heading up the campaign against the Healthy Life Center bond referendum in Ames.  That election will take place Sept. 10, when voters will decide whether to approve $29 million in bonds for the proposed $49 million Healthy Life Center.  Durkin said the proposed HLC would prove to be a burden to Ames taxpayers.

Ames Police Dept. Commander Jason Tuttle also was on the program, discussing steps the department will take to handle the large crowd expected to attend tomorrow's Iowa State University home football opener at Jack Trice Stadium.  He also talked about the new $40 parking fines that will be instituted for illegal parking in neighborhoods near the stadium.

And regular contributor Maggie Westvold talked about playing 6-on-6 girls' basketball when she was growing up in Iowa.  

Zearing, Wildlife Center, Butterfies in Winter

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 08/28/2019
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Today's show picked up on stories from last week.  Martin Herr, mayor of Zearing, told us about the history and development of the small town next to Dakins Lake -- a story of civic pride and unique history.  Following a phenology on crickets with Pat Schlarbaum, Marlene Ehresman, director of the Iowa Wildlife Center, came in to tell us about the present work and future plans of the center, which is building a facility called Wild Way on 75 acres just south of Ledges State Park on land obtained through Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Our nature centered program ended with Donald Lewis, ISU extension etymologist telling us the ways butterflies survive, or migrate away from, Iowa winter.  

Iowa Federation of Labor Candidates and ACVB

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 08/26/2019
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After a brief update on this week's news with Dennis Hart, we heard excerpts from candidates who spoke at last weeks Iowa Federation of Labor Convention -- Cory Booker, Joe Biden, Michael Bennet, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren. Then Crystal Davis from the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau gave up a preview of upcoming events in Ames.  The show ended with Ursula Ruedenberg and Dennis Hart giving us recent encounters with "The Wild Ones" -- squirrels.  

AmesFire, Heartland

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 08/23/2019
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Today's broadcast featured Ames Deputy Fire Chief Doug Allen, who discussed the department's firefighting capabilities, as well as its other services,  including hazmat responses, vehicle extrications, rescues, public education and fire station tours.

The program also featured members of the Ames Progressive Alliance, interviewing Nancy  Carroll of Heartland Senior Services about the proposed Healthy Life Center in Ames.  A $29 million bond election on the proposed center will take place Sept. 10 in Ames.  

Nevada Main Street, Lincoln Highway, Rodeos, and Dakins Lake, and Climate Crisis

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 08/21/2019
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Steve Skaggs, told us about the Nevada's successful application for  Main Street Iowa designation and for the advantages this will provide for the town.  After five years serving on the Lincoln Highway Days Committee Steve was also well prepared to fill us in on the details of this year's celebration to be held August 29-30 at the Story County Fairgrounds.  Tami Kuhn recorded a lively view of last year's rodeo. Focusing on a different kind of family entertainment, Lisa Hein, senior director for conservation programs for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, described the collaboration of the INHF, Story County Conservation, and the town of Radcliff to create a well equipped campground and a clear and well-stocked fishing lake.  Closing on a serious notice, Sam Wormley (KHOI's Science Bytes host) came in to give us some background on discussions of climate change emerging as an issue in the Democratic Primary campaign.  

Wilburn, Ames Chamber

Listen Here NowOriginally broadcast 08/19/2019
Listen to the entire episode now!Today's program featured Ross Wilburn, Iowa's newly elected House District 46 member, discussing his background and goals. 

In addition, Andrea Dodge, the vice president of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, and Joel Hochstein, the chair of the Ames Human Relations Commission, talked about an upcoming symposium on building inclusive organizations.  Wilburn joined Dodge and Hochstein in the discussion about inclusiveness and diversity in Ames. The symposium will take place Oct. 29 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center.

Also, the program featured an interview with Lily Bohlke, who soon will produce a weekday series of KHOI broadcasts about the presidential candidates as the state's caucuses draw near.  Those broadcasts will air at 6:57 a.m., 12:55 p.m., and  at 7:55 p.m.  

Ames School District

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Originally broadcast 08/16/2019
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Today's guests included Jenny Risner, the superintendent of the Ames School District, and Eric Smidt, the district's director of communications. Discussion centered on construction of the new Ames High School and a new district swimming pool, the pending addition of new classrooms at three elementary schools, and changes parents might notice when classes start Friday, August 23.

Another guest on today's program was Alex Fejfar of the Ames History Museum, who discussed the museum's upcoming new exhibit, "Uncorked: The Spirited History of Alcohol in Ames." It opens Aug. 24. Discussion involved how Ames was founded as a "dry" town, and on an early incident in Ames history involving an establishment that sold alcohol, much to the dislike of some citizens.

Maggie Westvold's "Minutes with Maggie" segment dealt with her experiences in learning how to drive.

Community Academy, Gun Sense, Collins-Maxwell

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Originally broadcast 08/14/2019
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We started our show with Leanne Harter giving her Story County Report, followed by Mike Todd and Collin Reichert, science teachers from Ames High School, together with student Elizabeth Burris, telling us about Ames Community Academy . This unique summer 2019 program engaged young people of all ages, from kindergarten through high school, in exploring Brookside Park in depth with the idea of developing a project that would benefit the park and the community of Ames. After this stimulating example of how youth can make a difference, we heard voices from activists and presidential candidates speaking at the Gunsense Forum sponsored by Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, and Students Demand Action. Keeping our focus on youth, we heard from Corey Lunn, the new Superintendent of the Collins-Maxwell School District, telling us about the opportunities available in small schools.

Caucus for Kids, Teenage Loons, Disaster Volunteers

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Originally broadcast 08/12/2019
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Dennis Hart gives a summary of Iowa news of the past week.

Mike Meetz, wildlife expert and host of KHOI’s Science Bytes, joins inthe conversations about the “Wild Ones,” discussing crickets in doors and counting adolescent loons in Northern Michigan.

Former state senator Charlie Brunner, Director describes Caucus for Kids, a coalition of children’s service organizations that are raising issues of children’s welfare and safety during “coffee with candidates” meetings and throughout the entire Iowa caucus process.

11- and 12-year-old Thomas Sauer and Jack Spence, both residents of Nevada, explain why they go to question presidential candidates in coffee shop settings and what it means to them to do this.

Story County Emergency Coordinator Keith Morgan and Jessica Babcock, from the Story County Coalition for Disaster Recovery Coordinator to talk about how you can volunteer during times of disaster, and how Jessica coordinates volunteers.

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