Zoe Bentler

As the Olympics near, we spotlight curling — a sport often forgotten outside of the winter games, but one that thrives year-round in eastern Iowa. We hear from Emily Nelson, marketing and communications coordinator for Cedar Rapids Curling, on the sport’s history, its Olympic influence and why watching elite curlers inspires local players. Then, Charity Nebbe goes out on the ice with Kari Kozak, a founding member and events coordinator of Cedar Rapids Curling, for a crash course in sweeping and throwing stones. Later, historian Ricki King joins discusses her work preserving Iowa’s Black history amid efforts to rewrite or erase it.

Our relationship with fruit trees is different from the way we interact with other trees. This hour, we’ll dig into pruning fruit trees, vines and bushes with Iowa State University horticulturist Suzanne Slack. Later, horticulturist Aaron Steil joins the conversation to help answer your questions and share advice to keep your plants thriving.

Our relationship with fruit trees is a little different than our relationship with other trees. Iowa State University’s Suzanne Slack shares advice about when and how to prune fruit trees, vines and bushes.

The killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis have captured the nation's attention, but immigrant rights advocates in Iowa want Iowans to look closer to home. This hour, a conversation about the rights of immigrants and legal observers. Jose Yugar-Cruz joins, an immigrant from Bolivia who was recently released after a year and a half of illegal detention, talks about his experience through an interpreter. Then, attorney Lucas Asbury and community organizer Maria Acosta of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice join the conversation to talk about the rights individuals have when they're approached, arrested or detained by ICE, as well as the rights of those who choose to act as legal observers.

The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake is a rock and roll landmark and one of the few historic ballrooms still operating today. Its legacy is closely tied to "The Day the Music Died," when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson performed their final show at the Surf on Feb. 2, 1959, before their fatal plane crash in a field north of Clear Lake the following morning. The Surf has recently expanded with the opening of their Music Experience Center next door, which has artifacts of the three late stars, along with other artists that have performed at the Surf, since it first opened in 1933. In this episode Pete Potts, director of marketing and public relations, and Jeff Nicholas, president of the nonprofit that manages the Surf, give us a tour of the Surt Ballroom and Music Experience Center. We also visit the crash site with Nicholas, whose family owns and maintains the crash site, which has become a tourist attraction for music lovers around the world.

Joanna Dee Das, author of 'Faith, Family and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America,' joins to discuss her new book. Then, Iowa duo Weary Ramblers share how they found each other, built their Americana sound and what’s next after a major Blues competition win.

On this Newsbuzz edition, 'Des Moines Register' Statehouse reporter Stephen Gruber Miller discusses the latest developments at the Capitol. IPR’s James Kelley reports on the growing mental health crisis among Iowa farmers — from financial stress to barriers in accessing care — and what resources may offer support during an especially vulnerable time for rural communities. Investigative reporter Tyler Jett of the 'Des Moines Register' explains new data showing a sharp drop in immigration to Iowa and what it means for the state’s population growth and workforce. Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, D-Des Moines, discusses the history, purpose and recent expansion of the Iowa Black and Brown Caucus, and how lawmakers are working to advance equity-focused policy.

A breakdown of the latest political news in Iowa, including Trump’s visit and immigration debates, with political scientists Kelly Shaw and Wayne Moyer.

The Iowa House voted to ban eminent domain for carbon pipelines, but the Senate has a different plan. We break down the divide and what it could mean for Iowa farmers and landowners. With IPR's Katarina Sostaric, we explore the House and Senate proposals. Two Iowa landowners share their perspective on the potential economic affect of the pipeline as well the affect on property rights. Then, Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, D-Hiawatha, and Rep. Chad Ingels, R-Randalia, explain their positions.

The Cedar Rapids School Board has approved deep budget cuts — and the consequences could ripple through classrooms, staff and students across the district. That story, plus a recap of this week's action in the Iowa Legislature, a look at this weekend's freezing temperatures and more on this Newsbuzz episode.