International Writers

With data centers on the rise and an increased need for irrigation for farming, Iowa is seeing a bigger need for ground water, with not enough known about our supply.State Geologist Keith Schilling shares how the state's current groundwater monitoring paces far behind neighboring states, and what we should be doing now to reverse the trend. Linn County Sustainability Director Cara Matteson also joins to talk about how the county is prioritizing groundwater mapping and other water studies. Then, we look back at Christopher Merrill's 25 years as director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa.

Photojournalist Mariam Abu Dagga hoped to change hearts and minds through her coverage of the war in Gaza. In August, she was among five journalists killed in an Israeli strike.

The City of Ankeny is researching the use of drones as first responders, potentially dispatching them to emergencies ahead of police officers.

The U.S. Department of State canceled its funding of the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program. It’s the end of a 58-year-old partnership, which has brought writers from all over the world to be in residence at the university.

Residents of the University of Iowa International Writing Program share first-hand accounts of the Russia-Ukraine war.

This year, 16 counties in Iowa were impacted by historic flooding.

Kang is the first Korean writer to win the award. International Writing Program Director Christopher Merrill says several IWP alum were considered for this year’s prize.

The Russia invasion upended everything in their country. In this episode, first-hand accounts of war through the eyes of Ukrainian writers.

Writers from 30 different countries are arriving in Iowa this week to take part in a 10-week residency.

Landowners had a stake in two projects placed on hold this past week.