Author Archives: Jeff

Jan 29

Who wants to read about county supervisors?

Posted on Monday, January 29, 2024, at 12:00 PM by Jeff

You do, right? With a full breakdown of what county has what type of board, by number and how they’re elected? You’re in luck!

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Who wants to read about county supervisors?
Jan 26

That’s the story

Posted on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

What’s the tipoff that this item on the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier’s website wasn’t written by a reporter? I mean, besides the byline being “Lede AI Sports Desk.” A reporter or even “person at the sports desk taking phone calls” would … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on That’s the story
Jan 24

Southeast Connector completion ahead

Posted on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A quarter-century after a southern bypass of downtown Des Moines began, it’s going to reach US 65 by the end of the 2020s. The Des Moines Register reports on the city’s announcement that $34 million will go to the project. … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Southeast Connector completion ahead
Jan 22

Tama County map meetings on three mornings

Posted on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 9:00 AM by Jeff

Notice for three public meetings regarding the proposed five-district map for the Tama County Supervisors will be this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday — all at 9:45 AM (UGH!). So this blog post is live at 9 and if you hurry … Continue reading →

Posted in Maps, Tama County | Comments Off on Tama County map meetings on three mornings
Jan 19

Shenandoah, somewhere

Posted on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Iowa has not one but TWO stories about babies in a blizzard: In western Marshall County, a sheriff’s deputy walked half a mile through the snow to assist with a delivery at a farmhouse. The Marshalltown Times-Republican has a clinical recap … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Shenandoah, somewhere
Jan 17

Caucus reporting from Reinbeck

Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I reported on a precinct caucus in Grundy County for my Substack (and the Sun-Courier newspaper). This was the first presidential caucus in my adult life where I wasn’t working for an Iowa newspaper. It came 200 days after being … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Caucus reporting from Reinbeck
Jan 15

Politico vs. Pizza Ranch

Posted on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

We were close to getting out of the 2024 caucuses without major broadsides on Iowa for being Iowa, but then the Associated Press went for it: Iowa’s winter blast could make an unrepresentative way of picking presidential nominees even more … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Politico vs. Pizza Ranch
Jan 12

Southern Benton County lost its newspaper

Posted on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Publication of a newspaper dedicated to the interests of Belle Plaine and southern Benton County ceased at the end of 2023. The Belle Plaine Union had that name for the overwhelming majority of its life. The Blairstown Press and the Benton … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Southern Benton County lost its newspaper
Jan 10

Update on Preston’s Station restoration

Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Last year, Preston’s Station in Belle Plaine marked its 100th year of existence and 95th year at its current location. The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. In the past few years, a concentrated … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous, Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Update on Preston’s Station restoration
Jan 08

Cedar Rapids turns 175

Posted on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Cedar Rapids is officially the fourth-oldest incorporated community in Iowa, behind Farmington, Burlington, and Keokuk. (Note that incorporation is different from founding.) This week, the city is marking its 175th birthday with a ceremony and a time capsule. The city’s … Continue reading →

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