LOCAL TALK 21 January 2022
Censorship
Following the Story County Report from Leanne Harter, Special Projects Manager for Story County, we heard from Dana James, former Des Moines Register reporter, about her online publication Black Iowa News and its coverage of the Johnston School Board meeting. She also introduced us to the organization Johnston Parents For EquitythandAnti-Racism, first through Lya Williams, who described the School Board Meeting, then Luana Nelson-Brown, who elaborated on the threat she sees from ignoring what happened. Both introduced us to the concept of "otherness," which is simply being different from white, Christian, "normal" people of the community, especially students.
Expanding the issue of Intellectual Freedom to public libraries, we heard from Amanda Vasquez, chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Iowa Library Association, describing the conflict over LGBT books in the Orange City Library, which resulted in her resignation as director and subsequent move to Director of Dubuque District Library Association.
LOCAL TALK 14 January 2022
Local Talk for Friday January 14, 2022 featured Dennis Hart news summary of the week from Ames Tribune. A tribute to passing of Clyde Bellecourt followed. Anna Gray, Public Policy Director with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation discussed Fund the Trust legislative goals for 2022. Merry Rankin Sustainability Director with Ames and ISU invited Lydia Youngquist and Lucia Rizzo to discuss upcoming Smart Business Challenge Luncheon January 20 at 11:35AM. Sign up today for luncheon at CityofAmes.org. Wolf Oestreich provided summary of waterfowl at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Music was Chiriqua Dawn and Pachamomma by Big Blue Sky.
Communities in Central Iowa
This program consisted of voices from little known communities in central Iowa starting with Marcellina from the Hispanic Community of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Ames; Johnathan Buffalo, director of historic preservation for the Meskwaki Cultural Center; Louise O’Donnell from the Slater Area Historical Association; and Paul Leuth of the Sudanese Community.
LOCAL TALK 11 January 2022
2021 BEST DEVELOPMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS Celebrates iowa’s Development Heros and recognizes smart growth principles across Iowa. We review and discuss a number of the 7 awardee projects.
Susan Gwiasda Public Information Officer for the City of Ames: updates on city council meeting and remindes community of Christmas tree disposal hours. Susan introduces us to
Thursday’s, You Name It , presented by Mike Murphy.