
James Kelley
Eastern Iowa ReporterExpertise: Reporting writing and producing stories about communities across Iowa City and Eastern Iowa, all with an ear to help IPR listeners and readers understand their communities and the eastern portion of the state.
Education: Bachelors degree from Oregon State University
Favorite Iowa Destination: Stuff, Etc., and Iowa City's beautiful parks
Experience:
- Covered local and regional issues for IPR and for Jefferson Public Radio in Ashland, Ore.
- Has covered child care, the environment, politicians and public policy for IPR
- Has reported and written features across many topics, including hospital staffing shortages and service reductions, community power outages, Indigenous tribal customs and small business challenges
My Latest Stories
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Across Iowa, funding cuts to the national service agency AmeriCorps ordered earlier this year by the Department of Government Efficiency are leaving gaps in nature conservation, youth education and community outreach programming. The cuts have eroded trust with the young people who sign up with AmeriCorps to serve their communities.
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Lawyer and Democrat Taylor Wettach launched a campaign for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, the seat held by Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Wettach said he decided to run for office when the firm he worked for, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, struck a deal with President Donald Trump.
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A 20-year-old West Liberty man has been deported to Guatemala after he was arrested last week at an annual check-in with immigration enforcement officials. His lawyer learned about it when he went to deliver a request to try to pause the deportation proceedings.
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A new state law that is now in effect says cities and counties cannot ban the use of fireworks on certain days — July 3, 4, and New Year’s Eve. Some local officials in cities that previously had year-round bans are preparing for a possible uptick in fireworks-related emergency calls.
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Iowa County Supervisor Abigail Maas is seeking the Republican nomination for state auditor in 2026. Maas runs a flooring company and farms corn and soybeans in South Amana. Between trips across the state, she said she's running her campaign from her barn.