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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Community members in eastern Iowa are bringing attention to a new surveillance technology that’s been quietly rolled out across the state. It’s a tool that helps law enforcement agencies track vehicles across multiple jurisdictions. While some say it helps reduce crime, there are growing concerns that it might be used with other motives in mind. -
Former state representative and Trump appointee Joe Mitchell is running for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District. He said he's a trusted voice in the MAGA movement, having served in the administration's Department of Housing and Urban Development. -
State Sen. Charlie McClintock, R-Alburnett, is running for the U.S. House in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. He said he's campaigning on an "America First" agenda and reiterated his support for President Donald Trump and the Republican platform. -
It's been two months since JBS told over 200 workers at a meatpacking plant in Ottumwa they would have to find new work authorization after the Trump administration revoked their migrant visas. Now, they’re being forced to re-navigate a legal system that’s become more complex in recent months. -
The Iowa Board of Regents is directing teachers at public universities to avoid what they call indoctrination of one perspective. For some educators, the changes raise questions about where to draw the line between opinion and scientific truth.
