By Cathy Zimmerman and Sam Helmick We write in firm and solemn opposition to HF 2324, now before the Iowa General Assembly. This measure forbids school districts, charter schools and innovation zone schools from entering into partnership with their public libraries, denies students the use of their school-issued identification to obtain books and learning materials, […]
Letter to the editor
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Letter to the editor: Why I cannot support Flock cameras in Coralville
By Hai Huynh, Coralville City Councilor Last year, the contract to purchase Flock’s automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) was signed as part of the City of Coralville’s budget process — before most people even knew it was happening, and before we had even talked about it as a council. When the police chief later returned […]
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Letter to the editor: Don’t let the Board of Regents close the Department of Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies at UI
We, alumni/ae of the University of Iowa, write to you in a moment of profound alarm about what is happening to our beloved university. Public universities exist for a reason: they offer students access to a wide range of established academic disciplines, broad enough to challenge assumptions and rigorous enough to prepare graduates for professional […]
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Letter from a service member: The U.S. military is entering dangerous political territory
The following letter was submitted to Little Village by a service member who wishes to remain anonymous. Their identity has been verified by LV editors. As a service member with nearly 20 years of service, I have watched the U.S. military drift into dangerous political territory. The military’s power has never come from partisanship or […]
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Letter to the editor: Despite ban, Iowa City’s municipal infrastructure is a surveillance infrastructure
By Nick Bergus, Iowa City Like many cities, Iowa City makes use of cameras and license plate readers to help manage its parking and traffic systems. Unlike most, Iowa City’s code includes significant privacy protections, prohibiting these devices from being used to identify a vehicle, its operator, occupants or owner. When the ordinance was passed […]
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Letter to the editor: Why not make it a no-mow year?
By Sam Moon, Des Moines Some of you may have seen that this year in May, the mayor of Des Moines asked citizens to not mow our lawns, for the sake of pollinators and local wildlife. If you’re a tree hugger like me, this excited you quite a bit. Think about it: not hearing the […]
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Letter to the editor: Smaller government and protecting children
By Pat Bowen, Iowa City If Iowa Republicans were serious about protecting children, and smaller government, our public schools would be fully funded and they wouldn’t be wanting to rollback long established protections governing child labor. Recently the Senate and House passed (SF 538, HF 623) to ban gender affirming medical care for transgender children. […]
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Letter to the editor: CommUnity’s food bank needs our help
By Ellen Ballas, Iowa City Eastern Iowans: our local food bank in Iowa City needs monetary or food donations to help keep our neighbors fed. I received their email stating their donations are down and their inventory is scarce. There were “1,640 more visits to the Food Bank in January than the month prior.” Additionally, […]
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Letter from local faith leaders: Anti-LGBTQ legislation puts Iowans in danger
Submitted by David Borger Germann, Executive Pastor, Sanctuary Community Church Over the last seven weeks of the Iowa legislative session, numerous anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced. Bills restricting teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity as well as acknowledgement of gender identity without a parent’s permission are finding their way through our legislative processes. Legislation […]
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Letter to the editor: Republican decorum is at an all-time low
By Abigail Grothe Since I became of voting age, I’ve been involved in politics and have contacted my legislators when I feel bills are against the good of the people in Iowa. I have encountered a lack of decorum by many of these legislators and I’m finally done with it and want to let reporters […]
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Letter from Joe Bolkcom: Reynolds not keeping Iowans safe
The toxic fire, explosion and the hospitalization of 10-15 workers at 6C-Zero in Marengo was a completely preventable disaster. That is if Governor Reynolds were not calling all the shots on how and when to regulate unsafe, polluting businesses in our state. The safety of the 30 workers, dozens of emergency responders and the entire […]
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Letter to the editor: We can’t afford to be complacent anymore
By Madi Remington, Iowa City It’s been a little over four months since SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade. Every day since has brought more horrifying results, with near-total abortion bans now in place in 13 states. Miscarriages are being criminalized as well, often victimizing already traumatized individuals. As a community organizer, I saw a spark […]
