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Former Cedar Rapids superintendent chronicles his journey to understand racism

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Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

Dave Markward spent the last five years interviewing, researching and writing his book From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond, My Journey to Understanding Race in America

Dave Markward is the author of From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond, My Journey to Understanding Race in America. On this episode of Talk of Iowa, Markward tells the story of his 2018 trip to Selma, Alabama to participate in a reenactment of the 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Then — for the first time in 200 years, two large groups of periodical cicadas are emerging at the same time, and Iowans have an opportunity to get involved in tracking them as a citizen scientists. The information gathered through the iNaturalist app will help University of Iowa researchers study these plant-eating insects whose population have declined over the last couple of centuries due to deforestation.

Guests:

  • Dave Markward, author, retired Cedar Rapids schools superintendent
  • Andrew Forbes, professor of biology, University of Iowa
Charity Nebbe is IPR's 'Talk of Iowa' host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts 'Garden Variety' and 'Unsettled'. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.
Samantha McIntosh is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University. Since 2022, McIntosh has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Madeleine Willis is IPR's Production Assistant supporting the talk shows and The Sunny Side Project. Willis has experience in audio production, reporting, writing and editing stories and conversations. She's reported and produced conversations on womanhood, sports, and good news from across Iowa. Willis will receive her bachelors degree from the University of Iowa in May 2025.