By Tara McGovern, Coralville A city does not run on autopilot. If a city council is not engaged and proactive, people with too much power and too little accountability make bad decisions that affect everyone. I cannot take a candidate seriously who refuses to acknowledge that our city’s $36,000 contract with a private AI surveillance company […]
Eastern Iowa
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: I support the Local Option Sales Tax in Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty
By Nancy Bird, Iowa City As President and CEO of Greater Iowa City, Inc., I’m proud to support the Local Option Sales Tax on the ballot this Nov. 4. It is a community-driven solution that strengthens our region by investing in infrastructure that makes our area a great place to live and work. We live […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Iowa City could use a fresh set of leaders
By Mike Carberry, Iowa City President Harry Truman once said that if you wanted a friend in Washington, you should get a dog. The same could be said for politicians in Iowa City. I have lots of friends and acquaintances here in Iowa City who just happen to be elected to public office. I like […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Jayne Finch brings skills and transparency to the Iowa City school board
By Joan Vanden Berg, Iowa City I am voting for Jayne Finch for school board, and I encourage you to do the same. I have found Jayne to be a consistent advocate for our most vulnerable students. On several occasions, I have approached her about concerns raised by community members. She not only listened but took […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Travis Terrell can deliver change in the 1st District
By Becca Mallon, North Liberty It’s time for a change in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, and I’m convinced that Travis Terrell can deliver the change we need. Travis is running a refreshing grassroots campaign that has the potential to unseat Mariannette Miller-Meeks. His platform focuses on delivering much-needed relief for working class families. He presents […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks touts role in firing of teacher over Charlie Kirk remarks
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, speaking to supporters at a fundraiser in Iowa City on Friday, claimed credit for her involvement in the firing of an Oskaloosa teacher over remarks about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Miller-Meeks, speaking at her fifth annual tailgate fundraiser, said there’s “a lot at stake” in the upcoming election. To show voters […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Vote Jenny Struthers for Coralville City Council
By Angela Rogers, Coralville I am writing to express my strong support for Jenny Struthers, who is running for Coralville City Council. I have known Jenny for more than ten years and have had the privilege of working alongside her on numerous fundraising efforts, committees, and PTO executive boards. In every setting, Jenny stands out […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Dan Stevenson will serve the school board as he has the ICPL board
By Tom Rocklin, Iowa City I’m voting for Dan Stevenson for school board, and I encourage you to do the same on Nov. 4, or during early voting. I got to know Dan when we served together on the Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees. Dan demonstrated a a collaborative and positive approach to […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: ‘Videoheaven,’ a genre-defying film essay at Refocus, stirred and challenged Iowans’ rental store nostalgia
Do you remember your favorite video store growing up? Director Alex Ross Perry, who recently released his experimental documentary film Pavements, chronicles the now virtually extinct rental shop industry in Videoheaven, a three-hour film that screened at the Refocus Film Festival earlier this month. Fascinatingly, it’s not really a documentary. Videoheaven is uniquely devoted to studying […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: Queer desire ruled at Refocus 2025, from ‘She’s the He’ to ‘Hedda’
The Refocus Film Festival awarded its Audience Choice Award to She’s the He, the debut feature from director Siobhan McCarthy. In it, high school best friends Ethan and Alex find themselves tangled up in a queer coming-of-age. Alex (Nico Carney), desperate to impress his dream girl, insists that they pretend to be trans women in […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Jayne Finch is committed to fairness and accountability on the ICCSD school board
By Annie Tucker, Iowa City I strongly support Jayne Finch’s re-election to ICCSD school board. For eight years, she has been an advocate for students, families and staff. That is what keeps our schools strong. She championed a pay raise differential for paraeducators supporting students of higher needs. She also championed the addition of fine […]
Posted inBook Reviews
Fully Booked at ICPL: Horror classics for young readers
October is upon us, and the veil grows thin, which means it’s time to put aside our beach reads and turn towards some darker books. As a child, I loved being read to by my mom, and our go-to for a long time was Hauntings: Tales of the Supernatural, a collection of 19th and early-20th […]
