There have been several discussions as to what is the proper size for the new jail that is being proposed. I will share my thoughts in a moment. First, here are the facts: For operational reasons, Johnson County keeps the population of the current facility at about 65 inmates. But that requires paying other counties […]
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Iowa City’s council majority is stoking division
By David Sterling, Iowa City On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the four members of Iowa City’s City Council majority engaged in divisive behavior toward the public, revealing a deep‑seated contempt toward any opposition from their constituents. Despite being good-hearted people with good intentions, Councilors Alter, Harmsen, Moe, and Mayor Teague showed they are out of touch […]
Letter to the editor: Deportation is wrong, period
By Nate Holdren, Des Moines I write this letter to the editor on the evening of Friday, Sept. 26 after hearing the news that Ian Roberts, the superintendent of the public school system here in Des Moines where I live, has been taken into ICE custody. ICE are a wing of law enforcement and it […]
Letter to the editor: No, Brad Sherman, we’re not in an ‘ideological war’
By Paul Deaton, Solon There is little to say about the death by gun violence of Charlie Kirk. Too many U.S. citizens die of gun violence and the Congress can, and should, do something to prevent more death and destruction. On the other hand, Republicans, including gubernatorial candidate Brad Sherman, find things to say. In […]
Rob Howe: What we overlook when we celebrate Kirk Ferentz’s wins
Beth Goetz stepped to the Kinnick Stadium podium Saturday night with an announcement for Hawkeye Nation. “I gotta take the opportunity on behalf of the athletic department, the University of Iowa and all Hawkeyes to congratulate Coach on this monumental achievement.” Iowa’s athletic director was speaking for a whole lot of people, curious for someone […]
Rob Howe: The ‘prep portal’ is souring high school sports in Iowa
You’ll notice a pattern in my columns for Little Village. They’re giving old-man-yells-at-cloud vibes. Yes. Yes, they are. Hopefully, almost 35 years covering sports leads to a little wisdom finding its way in as well. That brings us to today’s rant — What are we doing to high school sports, people? And by we, I […]
Letter to the editor: We must join together to stop this fascist power grab
By Pat Bowen, Iowa City In Iowa City, we know what keeps us safe. It’s living in communities where we look out for our neighbors, have great schools and the healthcare we need, and where people sworn to serve and protect us prevent, investigate, and solve crimes and treat us all as equals. No one […]
Letter to the editor: The decision to close SHSI Iowa City should alarm anyone interested in Iowa and Midwest history
Some 40 years ago, my mother donated a 1915 landscape plan to the State Historical Society of Iowa’s library in Iowa City. The plan, a rare surviving hand-painted sketch by landscape architect Joseph Krieger for Waterloo architect Howard Burr (1885-1964), was part of their design of what later became my family’s home in rural Charles […]
Letter to the editor: Those concerned about the development near Milan Bottoms should let the process play out
By Dylan Parker, Rock Island, Fifth Ward Alderperson On July 21st, you published a letter to the editor regarding a proposed development at the Casino West site in Rock Island, Illinois. I appreciate the opportunity to provide additional perspective. The subject matter is nuanced and complicated and deserves close attention due to the important needs […]
Letter to the editor: The Milan Bottoms development is a senseless risk to wildlife and water safety
By Elizabeth VanCamp, Davenport A Quad Cities developer named Matt Stern (of A Hana Illowa LLC) is working with the city of Rock Island, IL (a city that faces Davenport, IA across the Mississippi River) to add a truck stop and dispensary to a 10-acre parcel of land on the edge of a 528-acre wetland […]
Film review: Ari Aster’s ‘Eddington’ depicts a small town spiraling in May 2020. It’s as bleak and familiar as you’d think.
“Don’t make me think. Post it.” Sevilla County Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) blurts out this line during his haphazard campaign against mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) in Ari Aster’s latest film Eddington. Set in May 2020, pandemic panic slowly infects the titular New Mexican town before any nasal swabs come into play. Though our […]
Letter to the editor: Even in Iowa City, it isn’t easy finding work as a trans woman
By C.S., Iowa City I just wanted to talk about trans women in the workplace in Iowa City. It’s not something we see very much of. We do see a ton of Pride flags, and signs that read “trans people belong in Iowa.” As a trans woman having lived here for close to four years, […]




