Author Archives: Jeff

Feb 08

I dig in to school enrollment for 2023-24

Posted on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

My Substack piece this week is about the 2023-24 Iowa school enrollment numbers, with a map and two graphics. One of those graphics looks at Waterloo’s stagnant enrollment vs. Waukee’s astronomical growth. The Des Moines Register, in its evaluation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on I dig in to school enrollment for 2023-24
Feb 05

State Center still has concerns about US 30

Posted on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Left turns are a big problem on the south side of State Center. Last week, residents and the Iowa DOT had a meeting about the increase in accidents over the past 18 months. This is the second such meeting in … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on State Center still has concerns about US 30
Jan 31

Nevada bridge opens today

Posted on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The bridge for County Road S14 at Nevada should open today. That’s according to a press release from the Iowa DOT. The release notes that the 6th Street intersection will remain open. However, that is likely short term. This bridge … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Nevada bridge opens today
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