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News
Des Moines’ plan to solve its budget crisis: gentrification.

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Des Moines is facing the culmination of multiple long standing budgetary crises resulting in its present $17 million annual deficit. Without room in the general fund, transportation is facing cuts, utility rates have been hiked, and agencies reorganized. The city manager Peter Zamansky in January released a proposal to lay out reductions in spending to shrink the deficit this fiscal year. However, policy makers are looking for larger cuts and structural changes to address the city’s long increasing debt burden. Image via axios One of the largest services under scrutiny is Des Moines’ DART bus system. Reimagine Dart is the … Continued

Music
On Speaking Aloud and Breaking Boundaries: Mannequin Pussy Mission Creek Festival

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Ignore the name. Or don’t, because truthfully the heart of Mannequin Pussy’s art lies in its name. Mannequin Pussy, of Philadelphia origin, gracefully blessed the hall of the Englert Theater for Iowa City’s annual Mission Creek Festival in April. As someone who has been a longtime listener, I was ecstatic when I learned they were performing on day 2. For those who are new to the band, Mannequin Pussy consists of 4 artists, Missy Dabice on vocals and lead, Kaleen Reading on drums, Bear Regisford on bass and secondary vocals, and Maxine Steen on guitar. They weren’t always called Mannequin … Continued

News
Zachary Harris

The Media Court: Introduction

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This column will take a look at various industry players currently operating within the shifting media landscape of our country and how these major corporations interface with major media platforms. Image via Media Education Centre.

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Mission Creek: Unexpected Futures with Nick Scappaticci

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Nick Scappaticci, a Rhode Island School of Design alumnus and current CEO of Tellart, began his “Unexpected Futures” presentation by posing rhetorical questions to the audience that invited us to imagine our future means of engaging with domestic spaces, healthcare, government, and the environment. This proved to be something of a challenge. I wasn’t sure if the ideas that came to my mind were actually my own or just what I’ve seen in books, television shows, and movies. Nothing but vague images of automation that centered around the seamless integration of human beings with our technology. Nanobots, driverless cars, and … Continued

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522XX Tour Guide: Fair Grounds Coffeehouse & Howling Dogs Bakery

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Carrying on my exploration of local caffeine hubs, I decided to take a trip over to 345 S. Dubuque and visit Fair Grounds Coffeehouse.  What struck me most about the establishment upon entering was how much it had going on simultaneously. After making just a cursory glance, I was swimming in sensory overload. Two televisions were streaming classic films above the main seating area. Blues guitar beat out from speakers that I couldn’t quite locate. An array of potted plants in various stages of disrepair lined the bank of windows behind tables to my right. Two separate ventilation systems bulged … Continued

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522XX Tour Guide: Cortado Coffee and Café

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This month I traveled into the belly of our town’s burgeoning coffeehouse scene by way of Cortado—a newcomer to the 52240 zip code located on 26 South Clinton Street between late-night Iowa City staples The Airliner and Pancheros. After its grand opening on January 23rd of this year, the café has quickly developed a reputation for hot drinks and quality baked goods. Looking at the menu posted outside the establishment, potential customers can find almost any type of caffeinated beverage imaginable. Edible offerings appear subject to change; however, an abundance of variety is consistent across these listings as well. Upon … Continued

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522XX Tour Guide: Introduction

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Hey all, I am a third-year English and Creative Writing major who is also pursuing a Media Entrepreneurialism certificate at the University of Iowa. This semester I’m going to be roaming around Iowa City in search of interesting coffee shops, restaurants, study spaces, liquor stores, and snack vendors. Hailing from Chicago (yes the ACTUAL city, not the suburbs), my standards will start high. Being a college student, my budget will be low. How might these conflicting factors resolve themselves? Over the next fifteen weeks, one young man’s mind, stomach, and wallet will be put to the test in order to answer … Continued

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