Higher Education

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.

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.

The University of Iowa held an inaugural event over the weekend for the new Center for Intellectual Freedom. It featured prominent conservative voices and panel discussions about the future of the controversial center. UI President Barbara Wilson was not in attendance.

Wendy Wintersteen will retire as president of Iowa State University on Jan. 2, 2026. She started her career at ISU Extension in 1979 and rose through the academic ranks to become the land-grant university's first woman president in 2017.

The Iowa Board of Regents elected Robert Cramer as its new president after former President Sherry Bates announced her resignation earlier this week.

Reaction to a newspaper acquisition and a tribute to two philanthropic giants from Iowa in this Newsbuzz episode.

For better or for worse, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Iowans to adapt.

A study from Iowa State University highlights areas deemed legal deserts, where the number of attorneys do not match the population's needs. Also, a new app warns users if their indoor temperatures reach unsafe levels.

Nick Offerman is coming to Des Moines Oct. 14 to talk about his new book aimed at children, “Little Woodchucks: Offerman’s Guide to Tools and Tomfoolery.”