The Englert Theatre was packed last Monday night, February 25 at 7 PM. The crowd, filled with students and Iowa City citizens, was there to see one incredible woman: Ayana Mathis. Mathis, a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, came back to Iowa City to read from her debut novel, The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. The novel’s recent acclaim is partially due to its acceptance in to Oprah’s book club. Following a wild applause, Ayana Mathis took the stage and read a short poem by Gwendolyn Brooks entitled “Kitchenette Building.” She then commented on the poem, noting that it questions whether … Continued
Key Takeaways from the Iowa Senate Debate
On Wednesday, October 7th, Democratic nominee Josh Turek and Republican nominee Ashley Hinson met in Johnston, Iowa, to discuss their platforms and concerns ahead of the November election. Council Bluffs native Josh Turek is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist and democratic member of the Iowa House of Representatives. Turek is seeking a seat in the U.S. Senate, a position that has not been held by an Iowa Democrat since 2008. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is running on the Republican ticket in hopes of securing a Senate seat next to Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley (R). Born and raised in Des Moines, Hinson … Continued


