A University of Iowa student has filed a civil lawsuit against the university’s Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, or FIJI, alleging that two members of fraternity raped her at a party on Sept. 4, 2020. Makéna Solberg filed the lawsuit in Johnson County District Court on Tuesday. It alleges two members of the fraternity “planned and […]
Adria Carpenter
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission works on moving forward after the city council’s rejection of their chosen facilitator
Iowa City’s Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will take a new approach to fulfilling its task of documenting systemic racism in the community, and collecting the stories of those who have experienced it. Previously, the commission had focused on hiring a facilitator to assist and help guide its work. In fact, hiring a […]
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Photo Gallery: International cyclists gather in Iowa City for Jingle Cross 2021
The Jingle Cross Cyclo-Cross festival is back in Iowa City after last year’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the three-day festival, cyclists from the United States and Europe participated in cyclocross and gravel races. Hundreds of spectators bundled up to watch the races at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. In cyclo-cross races, cyclists have […]
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Iowa City’s new board game cafe is now open
Iowa City already had excellent stores for gamers, but unlike a lot of other college towns, it didn’t have a board game cafe near campus. That changed on Saturday, as Fortuna Board Game Café officially opened its doors on the Ped Mall. Fortuna’s owner, Justin Ford, is originally from Michigan and has moved to Iowa […]
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Photo Gallery: Iowa City celebrates 50 years of Pride
Iowa City held its 50th annual Pride celebration on Saturday. This year’s Pride would’ve been the 51st, but Iowa City Pride 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. Iowa City first celebrated Pride in 1970, when the Gay Liberation Front marched in the University of Iowa’s homecoming parade. Organizers decided not to hold Pride’s traditional […]
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Iowa City holds first ever celebration for National Hispanic Heritage Month
Iowa City is hosting a celebration of Hispanic American Heritage Month at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. This is the first event of its kind. “We don’t know what to expect. We’re hoping for a good turnout, a decent turnout, and we’ll continue to offer it […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘I hope it’s gonna be a catalyst’: City dedicates the Oracles of Iowa City mural
The Oracles of Iowa City mural is finally completed after months of work. The figures stand tall over East Burlington Street with two stark messages: “Black joy needs no permission” and “Weaponize your privilege to save Black bodies.” Artists Antoine Williams and Donté K. Hayes designed the nearly 70-foot murals that now decorate the Capitol […]
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Lessons on consent, every Thursday on the Pentacrest
Like the thousands of people who protested at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, or Fiji, house on Aug. 31, the members of U for Us want “to end sexual misconduct at the University of Iowa, and hold the University accountable for the safety of its students,” as their Facebook page explains. U for Us is […]
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Photo Gallery: Locals paint a mural by the numbers for Iowa City Climate Fest
Community volunteers helped paint a by-the-numbers mural on the Resource Management Center building Thursday as part of Iowa City’s second annual Climate Fest. Local artist Erika Danner designed the mural with a climate and environment theme, featuring worms, centipedes, fungi and plants. The mural shows how healthy soils and composting can remove carbon from the […]
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Iowa City’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission prepares to move forward with its work on systemic racism
After months of delays, Iowa City’s Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is close to beginning its work of documenting systemic racism in the community, and collecting the stories of those who have experienced it. During its meeting on Thursday, the TRC voted to endorse a contract with Kearns & West to provide organizational […]
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Systems Unlimited celebrates 50 years of helping people with disabilities live with greater independence
Terrell Baumler wants to live on his own, have a pretty girl and a blue Chevy truck. He loves the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Bulls. He has all their socks, shirts and shorts. “I got a four rec draft, Justin Fields of Ohio,” he said, before the NFL season kicked off. Terrell has come a […]
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Iowa City Council hears two very different plans for how to spend federal pandemic relief funds
Both of the Iowa City Council’s two meetings on Tuesday had speakers addressing how the city should spend the $18.3 million in federal funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). During the council’s 4 p.m. work session, city manager Geoff Fruin presented a series of recommendations for what he called a “two-prong approach” […]
