The family stories you dread

As sure as there will be turkey when you sit down with family this Thanksgiving, you know the very mention of the word “car” Uncle Lou will bring up the time you drove the new Ford into the lake.
Or maybe one of your sweet aunties will remind everyone of the year you and that awful boyfriend what’s-his-name showed off your [...]

Read Full Post »

Kangaroo cousins and burglars beware

I’ve come across two interesting DNA stories today. The first, in the most recent issue of the National Institute of Justice Journal, says researchers have had great success using DNA evidence to solve property crimes.
The NIJ’s DNA Field Experiment compared traditional burglary investigations to investigations in which DNA evidence was also collected and analyzed. They found [...]

Read Full Post »

IC cabs refusing to give rides?

I’ve heard a couple stories now about Iowa City cabs refusing to accept fares from downtown to Coralville, or even to the west side of Iowa City, on busy weekend nights.
One man who lives out by the Coral Ridge Mall told me he was trying to get home one weekend night and had to practically force a cab to [...]

Read Full Post »

You, a commissioner?

Of course!
If you’re still going through election season withdrawal, you might make a good commissioner.
If you’re a fan of details and have a few evenings free, you might make a good commissioner.
If you’re passionate, or just curious, about a particular local issue, you might make a good commissioner.
Ever wonder how your local city councilors get [...]

Read Full Post »

11/8 Column: Let’s talk about race

So now that we’ve elected our first African-American president, does that mean we can stop being so squeamish about race?
If we try harder.
Barack Obama’s election this week was a home run for racial equality, and Americans are feeling it. A recent Gallup Poll found two-thirds (a bigger number than those who voted for the Democrat) [...]

Read Full Post »

11/5 Column: Remember why we elected you

Hello from yesterday, where the polls are still open and we’re waiting to hear who will emerge victorious from these elections.
With luck, all you over there in Wednesday have a newly elected body of lawmakers and are spending a lazy morning celebrating (or crying into your coffee as the case may be). Fingers crossed, you’re [...]

Read Full Post »

More Election Day scenes from IC students

Here are more Election Day scenes from Iowa City, courtesy of University of Iowa journalism students. Thanks to their instructors, Judy Polumbaum and M. Gigi Durham:
 
IC seniors vote
By Leigh Riggs
 
IOWA CITY — The warm November sun shone through Margaret Keyes’ white hair Tuesday as she took slow, tremorous steps toward the 16-passenger shuttle, her arm [...]

Read Full Post »

Obamaphoria

On my way to work today I ran into my neighbor – a precinct captain for now president-elect Barack Obama here in Iowa City. She looked like she couldn’t stop smiling if she wanted to. And she definitely didn’t want to.
It put those HOPE yard signs into perspective for me. Not a slogan but, for [...]

Read Full Post »

The consensus: A smooth day overall

By Abby Betts
 
IOWA CITY—Election Day couldn’t have gone better according to Iowa City poll workers as last minute voters trickled in to cast the final votes of this historic election.
 
“This has been a positive day,” said Precinct Chairperson Richard Tiegs, who worked the University of Iowa Library polls. “The students have been wonderful and understanding.”
 
Myron [...]

Read Full Post »

Iowa’s election results expected within hours

By Sabrina Potirala
 
One hour until polls close and local results start becoming available. By 8 p.m., 31,594 Johnson County voters had cast Election Day ballots, including 2,681 same-day registrants, according to the auditor’s office.
 
State officials say they expect most preliminary statewide results by 11 p.m.
 
Iowa polling places converted to an all paper ballot system this year in an [...]

Read Full Post »