Soil Compilation

Music
Best Albums of 2025: KRUI Staff Picks

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The rumors are true, KRUI likes music! 2025 was a crazy year all around, and even crazier, we here at KRUI actually listened to lots of albums this year. We’ve picked out eleven of our favorite albums from this year to share, and explore together.

Music Category
Best Songs of 2025: KRUI Staff Picks

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It’s December 29, 2025, and if you can believe it, we here at KRUI actually listened to music throughout the whole year! From pop superstars, to indie legends, to the fresh Bandcamp up-and-comers, we’ve picked out nine of our favorite songs released this past year to share and explore together.

Music
Festival Preview: Chicago’s New Year Transitions, Dec. 26–Jan. 1st

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Spanning 7 venues across 7 days, Transitions, the New Years Eve celebration by AURIS PRESENTS, in downtown Chicago has cultivated a lineup of the biggest names spinning records and electronica today. From December 26 – January 1st, Chicagoland will be ablaze as it welcomes the likes of 70 artists and a 21-hour marathon to ring in the new year at Outset. Here are the highlights coming this week to Chicago. 

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LGBT Youth in Iowa City

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By KRUI News Reporter Michael Gerald “It gets better” – Helping Queer Youth Life for Trae Krum would most likely be considered normal given the traditional American narrative. The southern California native grew up in a religiously conservative household with her 3 sisters and mother and father, who affectionately referred to her as Tracy. Trae attended church, kept her hair long, wore dresses, showed cleavage, and dated boys. None of this, however, was normal for Trae. “Living in the closet is almost as painful as what happens after coming out.” Trae said. Her adolescence, a confusing and traumatic enough experience … Continued

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Cecile Richards talks Planned Parenthood interest in the 2012 presidential election

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By KRUI contributing reporter Mike Mendenhall and KRUI News Director Betsy Penisten Betsy and Mike spoke with the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund Cecile Richards in a 2-part on-air phone interview about the interest of Planned Parenthood in the November presidential election. Cecile weighs in on the issues greatly affecting women and discusses science, fact and belief on the basis of conception. Planned Parenthood part 1 Planned Parenthood part 2

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James Taylor talks early voting September 27

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By KRUI News Director Betsy Penisten News Director Betsy Penisten spoke with legendary American singer, songwriter and guitarist James Taylor in a two-part on-air phone interview about the importance of early voting. _James Taylor Interview 1   James Taylor Interview 2

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Thursday News Update

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By staff writer Jen Hoch Local News Speeding and other drugs Two men were arrested in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and caught in possession of 52 grams o f marijuana as the result of a high speed chase. According to Johnson County criminal complaints, 19-yeard-old Patrick D. James Jr., and 21-year-old Bernard J. Butler II were speeding on Interstate 380, traveling 80 mph in a 70 mph zone before being caught with more than a 10th of a pound of marijuana. The men allegedly exited the Interstate onto the North Liberty exist and onto Penn Street before driving around 70 mph … Continued

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Tuesday News Update

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By staff writer Snovil Dong State News Bullying in schools under fire In order to stop bullying in schools, all Iowa middle schools and high schools have been invited to submit a video about what their school has done to prevent bullying. By using on social networking sites, citizens will be able to vote on their favorite video, and the winning school will get $500 for bullying prevention. The government officer who is in charge of this event also said parents have a responsibility to monitor their children at home to stop bullying both on and off campus. Local News … Continued

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Morning Newscast August 2

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By KRUI news reporter Betsy Penisten Johnson dismissed from football Sophomore running back for the Iowa Hawkeyes De’Andre Johnson has been dismissed from the team, Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz said Wednesday. Johnson was suspended Sunday upon earning two tickets in the past week. Johnson played four games in 2011, rushing 18 times for 79 yards. According to reports Johnson received a ticket for eluding arrest after being ticketed for speeding on Saturday. Just two days earlier, Johnson was ticketed again after countless  noise complaints were reported to the Iowa City police. Johnson received a ticket for maintaining a disorderly … Continued

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Morning Newscast July 26

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By reporter Betsy Penisten Local news Closing day at Johnson County Fair Today is the last day of the Johnson County Fair. If you haven’t had a chance to make it out to the fair yet this week, tonight will be a great night to do so with evening temperatures dipping into the upper 60’s. With the significant lack of rain during the past two weeks fair organizers have been tossing around the idea of whether or not cancel the annual fireworks show as they believe it poses some threats. No word this morning on any cancellation yet. The fireworks … Continued

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Morning Newscast July 25

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By reporter Betsy Penisten Fair Queen Crowned The Johnson County Fair officially crowned its queen Monday.  Out of 8 contestants, 18-year-old Rebecca Haugland from Solon, was awarded the crown. Haugland was just a young 4-Her when she watched her first queen competition, she says, “Being in 4-H, I always watched the queen competition. So when I got that old, I knew I wanted to compete.” Monday’s competition marked Haugland’s third year taking part in the contest. The running for the crown includes undergoing a personal interview with the judges a week before the fair, then from that point, the judges … Continued

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