Higher Education

On this Newsbuzz episode, IPR's Gavin McGough joins to discuss a new gas power plant that was approved by the Cedar Falls City Council this week, and IPR's Rachel Cramer shares how Iowa's landfills are filling up fast. Cami Koons of Iowa Capital Dispatch reports on a multistate research project that held a panel of rural Iowans Tuesday, and we hear about the U.S. losing ground in the higher education space as Iowa State University and University of Iowa continue to slip in university rankings. Humans for Racial Justice hosts their second annual Juneteenth event which tours local Underground Railroad sites in Cedar County, and IPR Studio One's Nick Brunner grooves us into the weekend.

A bill moving through the Statehouse could limit which countries Iowa colleges can hire foreign professionals from. Supporters say the bill will enhance national security, while critics say it could hurt the competitiveness of higher education institutions in Iowa and open them up to lawsuits.

Iowa’s environment and public health are under stress. IPR’s Natalie Krebs discusses the basics of the new Cancer in Iowa Report, and Jason Clayworth of Axios Des Moines talks about the state’s impaired waters. After that, a new study examines how the U.S. investigates deaths in custody. Forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell, President of the National Medical Association, discusses the study’s findings and recommendations. Finally, a conversation with the new president of Iowa State University, David Cook.

The Iowa House advanced proposals Thursday aimed at offering a fixed tuition rate to in-state students, adding more U.S history and government class requirements and reviewing general education courses with DEI content.

The Iowa State Normal School held its first classes on Sept. 6, 1876. This year, the University of Northern Iowa is celebrating 150 years of educating students. We learn about UNI's early history and then talk with organizers of various celebrations connecting with alumni, performing acts of service and special concerts.

On this Legislative Day episode, we talk with the House Higher Education Committee chair and ranking member, Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, and Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, D-Waterloo, about bills that would allow some community colleges to offer four-year degrees, place a tax on large endowments at colleges and universities, and more. Then, we talk with a former student regent Jenny Connolly about proposed legislation that would change student representation of the Board of Regents. We also hear from the presidents of Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge and Northwestern College in Orange City on their views of the four-year degree proposal.