KHOI

Originally broadcast 07/13/2018
Listen to the entire episode now!

KHOI civic reporter Dennis Hart summaries local news of the past week from the pages of the Ames Tribune. 

The Iowa Summer Games, beginning August 14, give opportunity to everyday athletes, school children and senior citizens a chance to experience Olympic-style competition, complete with Olympic-style ceremony and events. Summer games Organizers: Director Katie Kramer and Assistant Sports Director Megan Hanson describe the games and invite you to experience the games even if you are not competing the Olympic-style Opening Ceremony, and an Athlete Jamboree. 

Jessie Lowry, Director of Conservation and Research at the Blank Park Zoo, extends an invitation to Eagle Day at the Blank Park Zoo on July 15 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Speakers will include KHOI's reporter and former DNR Wildlife Diversity Program manager Pat Schlarbaum, Stephanie Shepherd from the DNR, Bob Barnhill and Yankton Chief Golden Light Eagle who will drum and share native perspectives in eagles,  Des Moines Park and Recreation with activities for children, and an artist who will make sidewalk drawings that educate about raptors, and wildlife rehabilitators. Present will also be Liberty and Spirit, two live eagles who permanently live at the Blank Park Zoo.

Lowry describes the "Iowa Hunters Lead the Way" campaign, partnering with Iowa hunters and fishers for non-lead based ammunition. Lead ammunition leads to poisoning eagles since fragments are left in carcass remains from hunted animals that have been cleaned.  Eagles have recently made a come-back after near-extinction, since the banning of DDT.

ISU and Ames Sustainability Director Merry Rankin introduces Ayodeji Oluwalana, the new director for Recycling at ISU.  

Originally broadcast 07/09/2018
Listen to the entire episode now!

Today's show started off with an overview of this weeks weather for the area as well as big news stories from the state of Iowa. We then heard from Maggie Westvold, with a Points to Ponder piece about bunnies. Aaron Kirch, an engineering student at Iowa State, was interviewed about his experiences at college in the area of premature dropping of a major. Our final interview was with Keith Morgan, Story County Emergency Coordinator and Josie Stahlin from MICA, Mid Iowa Community Action. Josie gave information on how MICA helps community members after disasters, such as the recent flooding in Ames. Keith wrapped up the show with an overview of the emergency plans that are being but in place to make sure RAGBRAI runs smoothly.  

Originally broadcast 07/04/2018
Listen to the entire episode now!

Following a brief report from regional newspapers, especially announcements of road closures due to flooding, civic reporter Dennis Hart joined Susan Franzen in exploring Independence Day celebrations in central Iowa -- Ames and well as the county seats of Story, Boone, and Greene counties.  Our feature from Ames was an interview with Patrick Phillips, the commander of American Legion post 37, which was kicking off the Centennial year of the National American Legion this July 4. Commander Phillips reviewed the history and service activities of the Legion over the past 100 years, including a few surprises. 

Much of the focus of our stories was on fireworks displays and how they varied in timing and financing in the towns considered.  Dennis discussed the music and entertainments preceding the large display at Reiman Gardens in Ames, which occurred last night (July 3), partly to enable more cost-effective production of an elaborate fireworks display before the rush on July 4.  The other towns celebrated on the 4th and had varying solutions for this problem.  Lynn Scarlett of the Nevada Chamber of Commerce described the traditional features of Nevada's Fourth of July complete with pancake breakfast by the fire department , band concert in the park, fireworks in the evening and much more.   For a complete change of pace we spoke with Rob Waton, owner of the Boone Speedway, where the people of Boone can watch a "fabulous fireworks" display following the "Eve of Destruction" -- races, rollovers etc.  Waton gave us a history of the speedway, which has been operating in Boone for 51 years.  In Jefferson, the expensive quest for a good fireworks display has been met by a partnership with Wild Rose Casino.  We closed our show with a medley of Patriotic songs.