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The funded and cut programs in this year's state budget

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River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

Lucas Riley said his son's developmental skills since being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and baraitser-winter syndrome were greatly improved by programs offered by their Iowa Area Education Agency, but this year's budget included more cuts to Iowa AEAs.

Chief administrator for the Mississippi Bend Iowa AEA Bill Decker discusses with River to River host Ben Kieffer how these cuts could impact their programming. Kieffer also speaks with a professor of geographical and sustainability sciences at the University of Iowa, Sylvia Secchi, about the possible repercussions of another budget item that would shift funding away from an Iowa State University Nutrient Research Center.

Later, deans of the University of Iowa College of Nursing and the University of Northern Iowa College of Education talk with Kieffer about the funding they'll receive to help address workforce shortages in their industries.

Guests:

  • Sylvia Secchi, professor of geographical and sustainability sciences, University of Iowa
  • Lucas Riley, father
  • Bill Decker, chief administrator, Mississippi Bend Iowa Area Education Agency
  • Julie Zerwic, dean of the College of Nursing, University of Iowa
  • Colleen Mulholland, dean of the College of Education, University of Northern Iowa
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Dani Gehr is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. Since 2022, Gehr has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.