As Iowans — and people around the country — are grappling with changes to their daily lives, jails and prisons are facing their own challenges keeping staff and inmates safe. Practicing social distancing, staying home and avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people are recommendations Gov. Kim Reynolds has been stressing to Iowans, as the […]
COVID-19
Posted inLetters
Open letter to UI Dean of Students: Guarantee a passing grade to all students
By Tarweeh Osman, Iowa City Dear Dean of Students, Firstly, I would like to commend the University of Iowa and the office of the Dean of Students for the steps they have taken in ensuring our safety amidst this international crisis. I am also incredibly proud of our community for abiding by the guidelines the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Transportation Department announces changes for parking ramps, bus service
Parking will be free in Iowa City’s parking ramps during the COVID-19 emergency, the Iowa City Department of Transportation announced on Monday. But that doesn’t mean the department is encouraging people to come downtown. “We strongly encourage the public to stay home and limit transit trips to those that are absolutely essential,” the department said […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds suspends foreclosures, says state is being ‘proactive’ in supplying medical needs, as UIHC asks the public for donations of protective gear
Gov. Reynolds suspended all foreclosures on residential, commercial and agricultural properties on Sunday. The suspension, which lasts through April 16, was included in a new State Public Health Emergency Declaration. The new declaration also closes businesses not covered in the emergency declarations the governor issued on March 17 and 19. “Effective at 10 p.m. today, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
In a time when we need theater most, Mirrorbox brings actors together online
Mirrorbox Theater is known for firsts. Iowa premieres. New writing. Topics that are tough. Shows that inspire conversations into the night, well after the curtain has fallen. Friday night, March 20, was no different. Earlier in the week, I saw that Mirrorbox’s Artistic Director, Cavan Hallman, asked on social media who had worked with the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
COVID-19 now confirmed in Linn County, total number of cases in Iowa rises to 68
Linn County Public Health Director Pramod Dwivedi got directly to the point at the beginning of the department’s Saturday morning press conference. “Linn County Public Health was notified of the first laboratory-diagnosed case of COVID-19,” he said.
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa has an ‘unprecedented number’ of unemployment claims and another new case of COVID-19, but testing remains limited
“We are seeing an unprecedented number of claims,” Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend said when asked about unemployment in Iowa at Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Friday afternoon press conference on COVID-19. “It’s pretty staggering to see the number of claims that we’re receiving,” Townsend said.
Posted inCommunity/News
Coralville waives bus fares, closes city hall
Like Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Coralville is waiving bus fares for the duration of COVID-19 emergency, the city’s transit department announced on Thursday. Coralville Transit is also asking riders to change how they get on and off the buses to help with social distancing.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Art in the time of COVID-19: Arin Eaton
Karen Meat has been performing their weird, delicious brand of pop music for seven years now. “There have been various incarnations of it,” says the band’s foundational member Arin Eaton, “but it’s what keeps it alive and interesting.”
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Community School District announces pick-up locations for student lunches during the school shutdown
The Iowa City Community School District has announced the locations where students can pick-up free lunches while schools are closed. The meal distribution program begins on Monday, March 23. “The District will provide a number of meals based on the number of children in the car ages 1-18,” according to ICCSD.
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds suspends most evictions in Iowa, cancels property tax deadline
On Friday morning, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an additional State Public Health Emergency Declaration, which will temporarily stop most evictions in Iowa. The suspension of evictions applies to all rental properties, including those in manufactured home communities or mobile home parks. The change took effect as soon as the governor signed the declaration, and is scheduled to last until 11:59 p.m. on April 16.
Posted inCommunity/News
Linn County declares a state of disaster emergency
The Linn County Board of Supervisors declared a State of Disaster Emergency on Thursday. The declaration activates the disaster response and recovery aspects of the county’s comprehensive emergency plan. It also recognizes that a civil emergency exists in each of the county’s municipalities. “It will increase our ability to respond and address the health and […]
