Shubham Singh is lean, 5-foot-5 and just 22 years old. Once a civil engineering student at a technology institute in India, now Singh works in the kitchen at Masala, an Indian restaurant here in Iowa City. He is waiting for his request for political asylum to be processed by U.S. immigration. We drink tea on his afternoon break, and he tells me the
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Posted inArts & Entertainment
From Lizzo’s ‘Cuz I Love You’ to Migo’s ‘Culture II,’ engineer/mixer Sean Phelan is making his mark — and doing Cedar Rapids proud
“I moved directly on out to Los Angeles, sight unseen. Just did kinda the cliche: pack your bags and go.” Sean Phelan is self-effacing when he tells his story, as though it all happened to him — as though he’s the luckiest guy in the world. But demand is rising for the skills of the […]
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Pete Buttigieg drops out of the 2020 race, one day after being certified as the Iowa Caucus winner
After almost a month of problems and delays, the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) finally certified the results of the Iowa Caucus on Saturday, declaring Pete Buttigieg the winner and awarding him an extra delegate for winning the most state delegate equivalents (SDEs). On Sunday, Buttigieg dropped out of the 2020 presidential race. Speaking to supporters […]
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CR Mayor Brad Hart talks infrastructure, traffic cameras and making ‘difficult decisions’ in State of the City speech
During his third State of the City speech, Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart shared his top infrastructure goals for 2020, his thoughts on the city’s traffic cameras and various projects residents can look forward to in 2020. Hart also acknowledged that during his two years as mayor there “have been — and will be — […]
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Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek is running for the Iowa House of Representatives
Lonny Pulkrabek announced on Thursday he is running for the Iowa House of Representatives in District 73, which covers eastern Johnson County and all of Cedar County. Pulkrabek, who has been Johnson County sheriff since 2005, said in May 2019 he would not seek another term as sheriff. “After 35 years in law enforcement, I’ve […]
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The Cedar Rapids school board selects new superintendent, Noreen Bush — the first woman to hold the job
The Cedar Rapids Community School District’s (CRCSD) didn’t have to look far in its search for a new superintendent. The Board of Education announced on Tuesday it has selected interim superintendent Noreen Bush for the job.
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Democratic super PAC launches $1 million ad campaign for Ernst challenger Theresa Greenfield
The Senate Majority PAC, a super PAC working to elect Democrats and closely allied with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, launched a $1 million advertising campaign on Tuesday on behalf of Theresa Greenfield. Greenfield, the president of a real estate firm in the Des Moines suburb of Windsor Heights, is one of five Democrats running […]
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Two houses represent a forgotten period of segregation in Iowa City, University of Iowa history
The houses at 942 Iowa Ave and 914 S Dubuque St in Iowa City may seem nondescript — just another couple of old, off-campus rental properties for college students — save for the rust-brown metal signs out front. These signs, funded by a grant from the National Park Service, detail the background of the Iowa Federation Home and Tate Arms house, which have had quiet but important roles in the history of Iowa City and the University of Iowa.
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Capt. Bill Campbell named interim ICPD chief as the city begins nationwide search for a permanent leader
Capt. Bill Campbell has been named the interim chief of the Iowa City Police Department, City Manager Geoff Fruinn announced on Monday. Campbell takes over from Chief Jody Matherly, who announced his retirement on Feb. 6. Campbell joined the ICPD in 1990, starting as a patrol officer
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Royceann Porter’s journey, from overcoming ‘culture shock’ in rural Iowa to making Johnson County history
Four days before the Iowa Caucus, Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter got a phone call from Pete Buttigieg. “This was the first time I’d heard from him in the whole 14 months of the campaign,” Porter said. “He said, ‘Do you think I could persuade you to come over to my team?’”
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Whether you foxtrot or lindy hop, dancing is required at the Dandelion Stompers’ Mardi Gras show
Don’t go to a Dandelion Stompers show expecting to just sit there and watch. “Oh, man,” said Dandelion Stompers bandleader Chris Clark. “Dancers really make it a party. We work hard to interact with the audience when they’re sitting down and watching, but once they are up and dancing, it goes to a whole new […]
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‘We welcome you to be part of our national mosaic’: 74 people become citizens during ceremony at National Czech and Slovak Museum
For most people last Friday was just another Valentine’s Day, a day to celebrate love and eat unlimited chocolate. But for more than 70 people, Feb. 14, 2020 is significant for another reason — it’s the day they became citizens of the United States.
