Isabella Luu
Central Iowa ReporterExpertise: Reporting writing and producing stories about communities across Des Moines and Central Iowa, all with an ear to help IPR listeners and readers understand their communities and the central portion of the state.
Education: Bachelors degree from the University of Georgia
Favorite Iowa Destination: Maquoketa Caves
Experience:
- Covered local and regional issues as part of WUGA's flagship news show Athens News Matters, for KCUR in Kansas City, for NPR, and for IPR
- Has covered homelessness policy and issues in Des Moines, Iowa's Third District congressional seat and other state races, and the compatibility of solar and crop production
- Has reported and written features across many topics, including a three-part series on Asian-American experiences in northeast Georgia, community organizers' efforts to rename Kansas City's historic Troose Avenue and a non-narrated feature highlighting an iconic Kansas City restaurant
My Favorite Stories
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Under the new bans, people who do not leave or remove their campsites can be arrested, charged with a simple misdemeanor and fined $15. -
Backed by the Department of Energy, Iowa State University researchers are studying how farming the land around solar panels can diversify farm income, boost biodiversity and improve worker safety. -
YSS, a youth social services provider in Iowa, is opening the Ember Recovery Campus with a residential addiction treatment program, crisis stabilization and crisis recovery services. -
DMACC is ending a food forest and urban prairie program that harvested fresh produce and rescued food waste around Des Moines, citing funding issues, aesthetic concerns and irrelevance to academic programs. -
The council approved a ban on camping and sleeping on public property that targets people who are unhoused. Opponents of the plan at the crowded meeting booed the decision.
My Latest Stories
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Dozens of protesters in Des Moines joined a nationwide day of "Good Trouble" rallies to stand against Trump administration policies they say "criminalize our communities, roll back our rights and slash vital public programs." -
President Donald Trump visited the Iowa State Fairgrounds July 3 to kick off a year-long celebration leading up the country's 250th anniversary. He touted the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" hours after it passed the U.S. House. -
Iowa's hands-free driving law aimed at combating distracted driving goes into effect July 1. Under the new law, drivers can't hold their phone in any way. -
Rob Sand hosted a town hall Wednesday in Waukee, where he touted his distaste for partisan politics and distanced himself from party labels. The event kicked off his 100 Town Hall Tour as part of his campaign for governor in 2026. -
After more than 60 years, the Orient-Macksburg Community School District has closed its doors for good. Former students, teachers and community members came together recently for a farewell celebration to walk the halls, reminisce and honor the years the school was open.
