On the opening night — and the world premiere — of The Fiancé at Riverside Theatre in Iowa City, among the first things I noted was how the playwright, Emily Bohannon, describes her body of work…
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Posted inCommunity/News
Blood, sweat and jeers: Pro wrestlers with central Iowa’s 3XW open up about the thrill of the ring
Between tribute bands, themed raves and touring acts, Des Moines venue Wooly’s hosts events produced by 3XWrestling, an independent wrestling promotion company based in Central Iowa, active since 2005. I attended 3XW’s bout on Friday, March 6 for a crash course in kayfabe.
Posted inCommunity/News
Judge orders hearing for ICE detainee in Polk County Jail after immigration officials fail to comply with two previous orders for a hearing
For the third time, a judge in Iowa has ordered the federal government to provide a bond hearing for a truck driver detained 10 weeks ago by the Iowa State Patrol and immigration officials. U.S. District Judge Stephen H. Locher ruled this week that the government must provide a hearing at which truck driver Suraj […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Josie Nabhan-Warren, a junior at Iowa City West High, is the new Iowa Student Poet Ambassador
Josie Nabhan-Warren of Iowa City West High School has been named the 2026-2027 Iowa Student Poet Ambassador, the highest honor a young writer can receive in Iowa.
Posted inCommunity/News
Community members gather for a vigil in response to Sunday’s Ped Mall shooting
Laments are “a legitimate prayer,” Rev. Nora Boerner told the people gathered at Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City on Monday evening. “Anger is a legitimate prayer. Frustration, pain, anything that you are feeling and anything you believe, you can offer to God, Higher Being, Source, whatever that may be.”
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: With its most eclectic show yet, ‘edify’ marks a high note for 237 Fashion Month
Cedar Rapids’ 237 Collective wrapped up edify, the third fashion show of 237 Fashion Month last Saturday at Groundswell Cafe with one of the most high-quality shows I’ve seen them put on so far. From beachy vibes to social activism, there was something for everyone.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Writer Chris Offutt on working more than 50 jobs in his life, and why he loves Iowa
Chris Offutt lives on a hill outside Iowa City. His driveway looks like it will be impossible to shovel during the winter, but it is otherwise a nice home, calm, the kind of place you would imagine a writer would live. There’s a 10-foot cactus that a student gave him. It fills the entire living room window. There are turtle shells on a shelf, and a huge hornet nest hanging in his office. At his dining room table sat a notebook and a draft of his next project.
Posted inCommunity/News
Rob Sand wants to legalize marijuana, regulate it like alcohol
Even before he launched his campaign for governor almost a year ago, Rob Sand has spoken out in favor of Iowa legalizing marijuana. On Monday, the Democratic candidate released details of his proposal to legalize and regulate adult use of cannabis in the state. “Establishing an adult-use cannabis industry in Iowa would also create thousands […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Milwaukee’s Maximiano will share a new album with Iowa City featuring nature sounds, blunt lyrics and a song called ‘Puppers’
Milwaukee-based musician Maximiano is preparing for their Iowa debut on April 18, bringing a deeply personal and close-listening performance to the stage at The Black Angel.
Posted inCommunity/News
New study finds higher cancer rates in counties with more CAFOs
People living near concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, in California, Texas and Iowa suffer from higher rates of cancer, suggesting that the air and water pollution from the massive farms may be playing a role, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Environmental Research, comes just weeks after a years-long […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Carrying on the Mission Creek spirit, Day Party is a bite-sized feast of Iowa City arts, all south of Burlington Street
Day Party is a brand-spanking-new arts festival launching April 25 on the south side of downtown Iowa City. Spring in town has long been associated with Mission Creek, which in 2025 celebrated its 12th (and final) year as a multi-day festival. The first thing that strikes one about Day Party is that it packs an […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Hambone and the Maple Babies — ‘Hootenanny’
Have you heard of “word painting”? It’s the musical technique in which instrumental choices illustrate the lyrical ones — and vice versa — in a positive feedback loop. Synergy at its finest. Skilled word-painters create something unique, something a purist musician or lyricist couldn’t create when exclusively focusing on one or the other. Iowa City’s […]
