Page 2 - Mark Simmet News Today

Learn what's happening in the Iowa Legislature, about how the state is preparing for Ukrainian refugees and a Finnish writer's work capturing the emotional valance of place.

Trans girls banned from girls' sports. Racial disparities in cancer rates. And new music for the weekend.

Michaela Ramm of the Cedar Rapids Gazette joins Ben Kieffer to discuss what the end of Iowa's emergency COVID-19 disaster proclamation means for data collection, tracking cases and access to information. Plus, other top news stories and conversations from around the state, including tax bills at the statehouse, free speech training at Iowa's public universities and how vertical farming is a new way of harvesting leafy greens.

Mark Simmet, Tony Dehner and Cece Mitchell recently spoke with Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe about their favorite songs in alternative and indie music for 2021.

Mark Simmet is a Senior Producer and Studio One Host

Ben Kieffer speaks to an established writer who is taking part in a two-month residency at the University of Iowa.

Iowa Public Radio announces weekend programing changes, including two new shows: Code Switch/Life Kit and All Access.

The venues grand re-opening concert since the pandemic began is happening Thurs., Aug. 19. Ani DiFranco, who is playing the venues grand re-opening concert on Aug. 19, is all for it. On Tuesday, Codfish Hollow updated their website and Facebook page to inform concertgoers that they would require a proof of full vaccination and a matching ID for entry to the venue. Its the first venue in the state to require proof of full vaccination for entry. Their statement reads: anidifranco.com Ani Di...

Published May 14, 2021 at 3:52 PM CDT Listen • 45:54 On this edition of River to River, host Ben Kieffer talks with Kathie Obradovich, editor in chief of the Iowa Capitol Dispatch about the latest work in the Iowa Legislature and the reverberations of national politics in the state. Sybil Soukup, executive director for the Human Society of Northern Iowa joins the program to talk about how the Humane Society of the United States ranked Iowa as the state with the ...

Published May 7, 2021 at 4:34 PM CDT Listen • 45:43 IPR On Wednesday, in regards to Iowans missing their second shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Kim Reynolds said "even if youre overdue for your second dose, dont worry about that. Its more important that you get it late than not at all." On this edition of River to River, Michaela Ramm of the Gazette shares her reporting on Iowans missing their second doses of COVID-19 vaccine and the challenge of vaccine hesitan...