Originally broadcast 09/27/2019
Listen to the entire episode now!Today's program featured Sheila Schofer, the new director of the Ames Public Library, who discussed her goals and vision for the library and its role in the community.
Members of the Ames Progressive Alliance talked with Nancy Gebhart from Moms Demand Action-Iowa, the state chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
Originally broadcast 09/25/2019
Listen to the entire episode now!Dennis Hart and Ursula Ruedenberg discuss recent public events with Ames Tribune editor Michael Crumb, including the case of Carson King, who raised funds by holding up a sign asking for beer money at the recent football game, only to be called out by the Des Moines Register for past tweets seen as racist; the conflict between Iowa State University and University of Iowa after an Iowa band member allegedly suffered broken ribs after the ISU / Iowa football game; the Federal Highway Commission's request that Ames remove its new diversity and inclusion crosswalks, and the female jogger who was recently stabbed near the bandshell park in Ames. Finally we bid a fond farewell to Marlys Barker who is leaving the Tri-County Times with a brief farewell interview and Mr. Crumb gives an update on where the county newspapers are headed.
Susan Franzen reports from Stockholm, Sweden, where she talks with young people about the recent Climate Strike and with parents who know the family of Greta Thunberg and describe how her activism has affected her home life.
Originally broadcast 09/23/2019
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On today’s show, we spoke with Dr. Lucia Suarez about the Latino/a Studies Program at ISU, which is celebrating its 25th year. She invited everyone to the U.S. Latino/a Studies 25 Year Anniversary Symposium, which will take place on Saturday, September 28 in the Memorial Union. All are welcome; click on the link for registration.
We also heard from Tammy Koolbeck, Director of the Iowa State Center, about the new plans to develop the area around the Stadium and Hilton Coliseum and how that development might impact the Iowa State Center. And Crystal Davis, from the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau, came by for her monthly visit and updates about happenings in Ames During October.
Originally broadcast 09/20/2019
Listen to the entire episode now!Today's program featured Andrew Allen, president and CEO of YSS, discussing the organization's purpose and programs designed to help children, teens, young adults, young mothers and others with mental and behaviorial health issues.
Also appearing was Alex Fejfar of the Ames History Museum, who discussed the museum's ongoing exhibit, "Uncorked: The Spirited History of Alcohol in Ames."
Maggie Westvold also appeared, commenting on growing up in Iowa when television was in its black-and-white infancy.
Originally broadcast 09/18/2019
Listen to the entire episode now!Matt Russell, executive director or Interfaith Power and Light, told us about the recent Pilgrimage on the Prairie and IPL's work of empowering farmers to combat climate change. He especially credited youth activists. Appropriately Toni Sleugh and Brad Wisenmayer two of the leaders of ISU Climate Reality Corpps (part of the international Climate Strike inspired by Greta Thunberg) came in to tell us about the Climate Strike in Ames on Septeber 20. Our next stop was in Boone county talking with Mark Schneider about ArborFeast at the Iowa Arboretum. We closed our show at the Boone Community Theatre's open house celebrating their upcoming production of Pirates of Penzance directed by Christopher Levi taking us backstage to talk with Kate Zimmerman.
Originally broadcast 09/13/2019
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Today's program featured Ames Mayor John Haila, discussing this past Tuesday's $29 million bond election for the proposed Healthy Life Center. Voters rejected it. The bond needed 60 percent "yes" votes to be approved. It received 48.5 percent. The mayor talked about possible reasons for the bond's failure, and what might be next.
Also appearing on the broadcast were Merry Rankin, who is the Director of Sustainability for Iowa State University and the Sustainability Coordinator for the city of Ames; and Bill Schmitt, Resource Recovery Superintendent for the city of Ames. They talked about the city's pilot food waste diversion project.
Originally broadcast 09/11/2019
Listen to the entire episode now!The hosts of Local Talk gathered to share their memories of September 11, 2001. Ursula Ruedenberg was in New York, literally at ground zero watching the Twin Towers Collapse and living in the city in the following weeks. Paul Wierson recalled the reaction in Des Moines -- gas lines. Susan Franzen was on an election board at the Memorial Lutheran Church in Ames, where a memorial service for the tragedy was held across from the polling station before the polls closed. And finally, Dennis Hart discussed the day as he experienced it from his home and newsroom in California. The show closed with a discussion of the increased fear and uncertainty in the post 9/11 world.
Originally broadcast 12/09/2017
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Dennis Jones give a summary of Iowa news from last week.
In the wake of the Democratic National Committee's decision last week to veto plans by the states of Iowa and Nevada to incorporate tele-caucusing by phone and virtual caucusing by computer, Douglas Jones, a computer scientist at the University of Iowa who researches computer security, explains why he was outspoken against these plans. He also discusses the intent and implementation of caucuses and proposes an alternative. Iowa and Nevada have been given the directive to make caucuses more accessible to voters and Jones proposes establishing proxy voters to do this.
Story County Emergency Coordinator Keith Morgan discusses emergency preparedness month and how to prepare. There is also a lengthy discussion about the dangers of lightening. Did you know it is dangerous to take a bath or shower during a storm?
Originally broadcast 09/06/2019
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Today's program featured Ames Mayor John Haila, who discussed next Tuesday's (Sept. 10) $29 million bond election for the proposed Healthy Life Center. The mayor talked about why, in his opinion, Ames needs such a facility and how it would benefit residents.
The program also featured Deb Schildroth, the new Ames Assistant City Manager. She talked about why she came to work for the city after spending about three decades working in Story County government. She also talked about upcoming events in Ames, including tomorrow's (Sept. 7) Pridefest celebration.
Originally broadcast 09/04/2019
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Alyssa Knudsen started our program by giving us a detailed rundown of the events of Pufferbilly Days 2019, with it's parade themed "Peace, Love and Trains," A feature of events was the Boone Community Theatre open house previewing its upcoming operetta, Pirates of Penzance. Cast members Joe Zimmerman, David Michael, Coriann Westvold, along with La Homa Simmonds came in to tell us about preparations for the show. We had recordings of from the ribbon cutting for the inclusive sidewalk at the corner of Douglas Avenue and 5th Street. Mayor John Haila, Dr. Reginald Stewart -Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Iowa State, Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, and nicci port all spoke to KHOI reporter Ursula Ruedenberg at the celebration. Janet Vine and Sally Daub came in to the studio to invite people to Ames Pridefest this Saturday, and to discuss the importance of the celebration, especially for young people struggling for acceptance from their communities.
