Posted June 04, 2025in Civic Skinny
Ever wonder how — or if — our elected officials are dealing with Artificial Intelligence and how they are juggling the risks and benefits for their constituents? The National Conference of State Legislatures recently released a tool showing Artificial Intelligence legislation by state. In 2025, 48 states and Puerto
Read More →
Posted April 30, 2025in Civic Skinny
In the aftermath of March Madness, the Wall Street Journal released a ranking of the most valuable NCAA college basketball teams. As you may expect, two of the sports’ most dominant, blue blood programs — the University of North Carolina and Duke University — grossly outrank the rest, each eclipsing
Read More →
Posted April 02, 2025in Civic Skinny
Iowa is the only state in the union that has not seen its population double since 1900. Don’t expect that to be part of our state’s economic development marketing campaign anytime soon, but it is true, according to the Iowa Chamber Alliance Talent Poll. In 1900, Iowa’s population was 2.2
Read More →
Posted March 05, 2025in Civic Skinny, Just Released
Starving artists? Maybe not. The Iowa Cultural Coalition (ICC) released a report on the state of Iowa’s creative sector, which includes nonprofit and for-profit participants ranging from museums, theaters and performing arts centers to independent artists, directors, live music venues, galleries, dance studios, filmmakers and design firms. Venues, event organizers,
Read More →
Posted February 05, 2025in Civic Skinny
For the average worker, a sabbatical may be joked about as taking a long weekend, or perhaps even a week off of work, to rest, relax and recharge. For university professors, however, they are more. Much more. Each year, we review the “professional development assignments,” AKA sabbaticals, requested by state
Read More →
Posted January 01, 2025in Civic Skinny
Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek tells CITYVIEW the speed camera story is “challenging,” “long” and “complex.” And he is right. A little background: In 2011, the Des Moines Police Department began its Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program, which included speed cameras and red light cameras. The legislature passed
Read More →
Posted December 04, 2024in Civic Skinny
Political campaign money flowed into the Iowa’s U.S. House of Representatives campaigns this past election season. All four of the House seats were up for grabs in Iowa’s congressional districts. Republicans were aiming to retain their dominance in the state, while Democrats were hoping to flip two of the districts,
Read More →Twelve drummers drumming… …To the anonymous person who is giving $250,000 to match dollar-for-dollar contributions to help the Des Moines Area Religious Council feed the needy this Christmas-time. And to Matt Unger, who runs that oh-so-important operation…and to the not-anonymous donors who helped Drake exceed by $40 million its three-year
Read More →
Posted November 06, 2024in Civic Skinny
Nonprofit organizations are aplenty in Iowa, and the paychecks of the CEOs, presidents and other executives who manage them are often astounding. While there is little doubt about the good these varying organizations do through their services, it’s interesting to see how much those in charge are earning running a
Read More →
Posted October 02, 2024in Civic Skinny
Earlier this summer, the Evangelical Lutheran Churches Association (ELCA) and the Southeastern Iowa Synod voted to remove the West Des Moines-based Lutheran mega-church, Church of Hope, from its roster of congregations. The Southeastern Iowa Synod is one of 65 synods that make up the ELCA. Bishop Rev. Amy Current said
Read More →
