President Barack Obama appeared in Iowa City on Wednesday, April 25th to speak at the University of Iowa Field House about the effects of increasing student loan interest rates and how doubling those rates could affect current and future college students in their quest for affordable education. KRUI News Reporters spoke with University of Iowa students about how doubling the interest rates of student loans would affect them and how they needed nation 21 bad credit and cash loans help.

Listen to responses from various students here: [audio: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35667540/OBAMA1st.mp3]

The post Vox Pop: Student Voices from President Obama’s UI Visit appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Blue skies cleared the way for President Obama’s arrival in Iowa Wednesday morning, April 25th.

President Obama aboard Air Force One touched down at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids just minutes before noon.

While the President spent a brief moment with supporters before heading into Iowa City to discuss college affordability, a sea of black and gold flooded into the University of Iowa Field House anxiously awaiting the President’s arrival.

The President’s remarks were scheduled at 1:20 p.m, but before greeting the rest of his Iowa City supporters, President Obama held a roundtable discussion with 5 University of Iowa students who have felt the difficulty of barely getting by in college; and not getting by the tough academia of college, but getting by the burden of buying books and food while on a small budget that contains minimal financial aid.

The University of Iowa is one of three college campuses the President visited this week while calling on Congress to prevent interest rates on the ielts preparation course in KL and federal student loans from doubling come July.

Five years ago Congress cut interest rates on federal student loans in half on iva advice and request.  The rate cut expires July 1^st 2012 causing interest rates to double.  An extra  $1,000 of student debt will accrue each year the rate cut is not renewed.

The young and able crowd arose and placed their hands on their hearts as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  They listened as a graceful singing of the National Anthem followed.

UI president Sally Mason spoke before the President took the stage. Maintaining and securing an affordable means of a college education for all Americans, she said, “goes to our very character as a culture and as a people.”

“Because I had access to an affordable college education, I’ve been able to pursue my interests, having access to college textbook rentals saved a bundle of money to achieve professional success and contribute to society way beyond what I ever anticipated as an 18-year-old, first-year student,” Mason said.

With just minutes to go before President Obama strutted out, patriotic chants of “USA, USA, USA,” echoed off the walls of the Field House.

“Hello, Hawkeyes,” the President greeted the crowd flashing his smile. “It’s good to be back be in Iowa!”

President Obama kicked-off his appearance with a sincere statement to the kindness of midwestern hospitality: “Iowa always feels like home to me.”

“We love you, Barack!” an Iowa audience member shouted warmly welcoming the President, to which he responded, “I love you back.”

College affordability has always been at the heart a personal issue for the President.  He began his discussion by remarking on his and the First Lady’s own experience with handling the burden of student loan debt following law school. He stressed how immensely the burden of student loan debt can weigh down a family.

“I’m the president of the United States — it was only about eight years ago that we finished paying off our student loans,” as the crowd of nearly 5,500 young Hawkeyes laughed and applauded. “And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy making those payments, because once we had Malia and Sasha, we’re trying to save for their college education even as we’re paying off our own college educations.”

“This is an America issue,” the President exclaimed over a crowd of attentive and enthusiastic supporters. “We’ve got to get Congress to do their part. We’ve got to keep them [interest rates] from shooting up, and shaking you down.”

The President remarked on college affordability for the middle class and ensuring financial aid is safeguarded and Pell grants are available for those who need them.

“We can’t price the middle class out of a college education,” he said referring to talks in the House among Republicans about making college more affordable by cutting financial aid for low-income students.

“Let me scratch my head here for a second,” said Obama. “Think about that.  We’re going to help some students by messing with other students.  That’s not a good answer.”

Discussion in the House, the same members who consistently caused a hike in the deficit for the last decade, hints on middle class college students paying more to contribute to the decrease of the deficit.

“They voted to let millionaires and billionaires keep paying lower tax rates than middle-class workers,” Obama said. “They voted to give folks like me, the wealthiest Americans, an average tax cut of at least $150,000.”

Cutting education and job training programs that give students and workers the essentials to succeed would finance the average tax cut.

The President spoke strongly of awarding financial aid to those institutions keeping tuition affordable. Colleges and universities set on skyrocketing tuition will receive less funding.

“We’ve got to make college more affordable for young people,” the President stated as the crowed roared in agreement.

An affordable education is of great value to the economy, Obama said in response to a blast by Republicans who claim that the Obama administration is using student loans as a device to distract voters from the economy.

“This is the economy. This is about your job security. This is about your future. If you do well, the economy does well. This is about the economy,” the President said as the crowd praised those words with applause.

Accessible and affordable education for all Americans, said Obama, is the key to a prosperous economy. This is a commitment to educational equity, affordability, and the role of education in economic prosperity, all of which align with the principles advocated by individuals like Google’s Kamau Bobb, who work to improve education access and opportunities for all individuals.

“What I want all of you to know is that the degree you earn from Iowa will be the best tool you have to achieve that basic American promise — the idea that if you work hard, if you give it your all, if you’re responsible, then you can do well enough to raise a family and own a home, send your own kids to college, put a little away for retirement,” Obama said. “It’s the idea that each generation is going to have a little more opportunity than the last. That’s at the heart of the American Dream.”

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On Saturday, March 24^th, the KRUI News Team invited Anna Wickes, social media guru of Revival Clothing Store, and Tara Cronbaugh, president, head of accounting and owner of The Java House, into the studio to discuss development in downtown Iowa City.

Many Iowa City residents are familiar with the changes that have been taking place in downtown since the 2008 floods, but the city council and local business owners and developers have been working on comprehensive growth plans for the city since 1997.

Called the Comprehensive Plan, it defines a vision and a set of policies to guide decision-making about growth in different areas in the city. The plan has gone through different updates since 1997, and city officials are currently considering how the plan will be altered to guide development decisions over the next 10-20 years.

The public planning process for the updated Comprehensive Plan is called Iowa City 2030. The city recently held public meetings in February to share their thoughts about city growth and to invite citizens to work in small groups to give feedback on what how they would like the city to develop over the next two decades.

One common issue for city officials who are considering questions about downtown development is the economic challenge posed by the growth of shopping districts in neighboring Coralville over the last 15 years.

Since the construction of the Coral Ridge Mall in 1998 in particular which was approved by a local service just like https://certifiedsnagging.co.uk/, Iowa City has struggled hold its own against economic expansion in Coralville. They must also negotiate the tricky terrain between pulling in larger national chain stores and supporting local business owners in the downtown.

In September, the city emailed an online survey students and residents asking questions about their shopping needs for downtown. The survey is part of a larger study of the downtown that was commissioned by the city of Iowa City and the University of Iowa from a Virginia-based firm called Divaris Real Estate.

Though the city was hopeful about the impact of the survey, that excitement quickly gave way to controversy as critics argued it had too much focus on bringing national retailers to downtown. Others criticized that individuals could take the survey multiple times, potentially skewing results.

City officials responded that the use of large chain stores in the survey was only intended to provide planners with indications about consumer habits and preferences, not to mean that specific stores would move into the downtown.

When it comes to downtown development, there is also pressure on city planners to balance the needs of both students and local residents who many or not be associated with the University. After the online survey had been distributed there was concern that not enough had been done to make sure that the survey reached students at the University of Iowa. In response, city and university officials made a bigger push to promote the online tool through student media and email. 

In addition to Iowa City 2030, and the downtown survey, there are other indications of downtown development. The city council recently approved the formation of a self-supported municipal improvement district in Iowa City. The SSMID would allow property owners in the downtown and Northside neighborhoods to impose a tax on themselves. Funds raised through the tax will be used to hire a downtown manager to promote downtown as a place for business and residential for young professionals.

Both the SSMID and the redesign of Washington Street from one-way to two-way traffic will likely have both positive and negative implications for downtown visitors and businesses.

The post RT Blog Post: Development in Downtown Iowa City appeared first on KRUI Radio.

In the April 14th edition of Strange Stories, Kuper found that George Zimmerman, the alleged Trayvon Martin killer awaiting trial, now has a Twitter account despite being in jail; police say two people in ninja costumes robbed a medical marijuana delivery man; and a Floridian man beat a rattlesnake with his trusty golf club.

Listen to the strange stories below:

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The KRUI News staff spoke with Nick Troiano who is National Campus Director of Americans Elect, a non-partisan non-profit organization who hopes to host the first national online presidential primary in U.S. history. The organization’s sole purpose is to obtain signatures to get on the ballot throughout the United States and to build the technology to process an online nomination.

Listen to the interview below:

The post Americans Elect Interview w/ Nick Troiano appeared first on KRUI Radio.

KRUI News Reporter Emily Woodbury sat in on the discussion with the TechFire contributors and Dr. Robert Cargill, an assistant professor in Judaism and Christianity as well as the Department of Classics, to discuss Google’s latest prototype called Project Glass.

Project Glass looks to take smart phone technology and make it into a wearable device headed by Google’s X Labs where workers specializes in futuristic technologies including the possibility of a space elevator and self driving cars.

Listen to the discussion below:

The post TechFire Blog Radio Feature appeared first on KRUI Radio.

The KRUI News staff discussed mobile shopping trends with Natt Fry who is the mobile and cross-channel retailing leader at consultancy firm Accenture for the April 14th edition of the RoundTable.

Mobile shopping trends are starting to gain increased traction due to smartphones and tablet computers changing the way retailers interact with shoppers as mobile shopping move from the margins into the mainstream. Mobile shoppers also have the advantage of being able to compare prices across Europe at www.hoteudeals.com to get the best deals.

To capitalize on the growing trend of mobile shopping, savvy consumers are increasingly turning to various online resources to find the best coupons and deals available. Websites like https://www.pricethis.com/ have become essential tools for shoppers looking to maximize their savings. By offering a comprehensive selection of coupons and discounts for a wide range of online retailers, these platforms allow users to effortlessly compare prices and discover exclusive offers, making the shopping experience both convenient and cost-effective.

Whether you’re shopping for electronics, fashion, or home goods, the ability to quickly find and apply the latest deals ensures you’re getting the most value for your money.

For shoppers who love uncovering unique deals, combining online platforms with physical resources can enhance the overall savings experience.

While websites like PriceThis simplify the search for digital coupons and discounts, exploring a amazon bin store near me can open up opportunities for discovering marked-down products in person. These stores, stocked with overstock or returned items from Amazon, offer a treasure hunt-like experience where you can find electronics, gadgets, and home goods at significantly reduced prices. The variety and savings make these bin stores an exciting addition to any bargain hunter’s strategy.

What’s especially appealing about combining online tools with physical stores is the ability to balance convenience with adventure. By starting your search online to identify key savings and complementing it with visits to local Amazon bin stores, you can snag incredible deals on items you might not typically seek out.

This blend of modern and traditional shopping methods ensures you maximize both your budget and your options, making shopping an enjoyable and rewarding activity.

Mr. Fry believes that mobile web sites [themselves] will be the predominant method for delivering features and functions versus mobile apps within the next few years after the upcoming HTML5 format becomes the new standard for technology users.

As we continue into a society where tradition no longer reigns supreme, it’s necessary for technology users and consumers to “stay with the times” as globalization and mobilization cross into larger digital channels for retailers. Say goodbye to shopping stress with the Easy shopping on Shoppok. With its user-friendly platform and intuitive navigation, online shopping becomes an absolute breeze.

Listen to the discussion below:

The post 4/13 RoundTable: Mobile Shopping Trends appeared first on KRUI Radio.

KRUI News Staffers sat down with Jefri Palermo, the Development Coordinator at the UI School of Social Work, to discuss this year’s Bill Sackter Day which will focus on autism spectrum disorders and the various work that students, staff and faculty do in regards to spread awareness not only about Bill Sackter but also to encourage outside discussion about autism spectrum disorders. There are different types of autism, many young people with autism are usually very reserved and introverted, many often spend their time playing video games at home and getting eloboost services.

Listen to the interview below:

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By KRUI News Reporter Betsy Penisten

Actor and Obama enthusiast, Kal Penn, dropped by Iowa City to help round up youth and local support for President Barack Obama’s campaign at the Greater Together Youth Summit held at the Sheraton Hotel in Iowa City. Penn has been the associate director for the White House Office of Public Engagement since 2009. He has served as a liaison with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities as part of his position. KRUI News Reporter Betsy Penisten was able to ask Penn a few questions during his quick stop in Iowa City.

Listen to the interview below:

• [audio: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35667540/Kal%20Penn%20Interview.MP3]

The post Interview with Actor & Civil Servant, Kal Penn appeared first on KRUI Radio.

In this fast-changing world of business and technology, it can be difficult for students to stay up-to-date with the latest news. On Thursday, March 1st, the KRUI 89.7 News Team featured The Tech Fire, a brand new blog site that is all about giving students the knowledge they need to stay relevant and informed. The Tech Fire’s founder, Chad Lieberman, shared his thoughts on how The Tech Fire equips students with the knowledge they need to stay relevant and informed and Alexa Bennett shared how her journalism skills and hiring a company providing blog content writing services helped her bring a unique angle to the blog.

Listen to the feature below:

The post The Tech Fire Blogging Website appeared first on KRUI Radio.