Shakespeare is everywhere in Iowa this summer! On this episode we talk to the creatives behind the inaugural Northern Iowa Shakespeare Festival in Cedar Falls, which is holding its final performances of 'As You Like It' this weekend. Then, we feature two established Shakespeare events in the state - Riverside Theatre's Free Shakespeare in Lower City Park which is performing 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' this June in Iowa City, and Shakespeare on the Lawn, which is co-produced by Iowa Stage Theatre Company and Salisbury House and Gardens in Des Moines. They're producing 'Measure for Measure' this July. Later in the episode, Amanda Thomas-Murphy of Iowa Pride Ensembles joins to talk about their busy Pride Month with marching band performances around central Iowa, as well as their jazz and concert bands.
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Iowa’s second funnel deadline has passed. What bills are still alive, and what does it all mean for the rest of the legislative session? Today, statehouse reporters Katarina Sostaric of IPR, Stephen Gruber-Miller of the 'Des Moines Register', and Erin Murphy of 'The Gazette' join to break it all down. The conversation covers the biggest unresolved issues shaping the session, including competing property tax proposals, ongoing debates over eminent domain and carbon pipelines, and concerns about a projected budget deficit. The group also discusses key developments in education policy, criminal justice, and health care. -
The public library's book club geared toward students in sixth through eighth grade chose to read and discuss This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson, but the event was ultimately canceled following community outcry. -
In the year since Iowa lawmakers repealed state civil rights based on gender identity, transgender and nonbinary Iowans have experienced fear, anxiety and uncertainty. The historic legislation has forced transgender Iowans to contemplate their future in the state. Some have left, and others are navigating how to continue living in the state.
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The Ames City Council passed an ordinance Tuesday prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and education based on an individual’s gender identity. It comes about a year after the state removed gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which sparked some cities to adopt resolutions affirming local protections. -
Under a bill advanced by an Iowa House subcommittee Monday, local municipalities would be banned from adding their own civil rights protections beyond those in state law, including those prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity. -
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest battleground in the ongoing debate over an Iowa law that bans books with sexual content from school libraries and restricts lessons that relate to gender identity and sexual orientation.
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Iowa roller derby leagues are carrying on a sport rooted in community and inclusion. -
The City of Coralville passed a resolution affirming its protections for the LGBTQ community. It’s the second city to do so after state lawmakers removed gender identity as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act earlier this year. -
The performers are embarking on their first-ever headline theater tour, "Knockout," which will arrive at Waukee's Vibrant Music Hall on Oct. 11.
