Episodes
Reading the feed…
Reading the feed…
Laura Bergus and Oliver Weilein discuss the upcoming city council meeting, including the proposal to add three new police officers.
Laura and Nick Bergus discuss Johnson County's request to build a larger, new jail, highlighting what the expected $125M total spend WON'T include.
Oliver and Laura discuss the current proposal to hire more police, which was presented as the only answer to "Ped Mall Safety" at a city council work session. There are proven, in-progress alternatives that are cheaper and less likely to negatively impact our Black and brown neighbors. Let's try those first!
Iowa City city council members Oliver Weilein and Laura Bergus discuss local politics. This week's episode includes critique of the Coralville mayor's choice to temporarily remove public comment from the city council agenda, and then Oliver takes a brief, deep dive into leftist politics, generally.
Nick and Laura Bergus discuss the Johnson County Board of Supervisors' decision to place the question of borrowing $94.5M on the November 3, 2026 ballot, and how "do nothing" or "this much bigger jail" is not an honest framing of the question for voters.
Laura Bergus and Oliver Weilein discuss many cool housing-related initiatives from the most recent city council work session, and reflect on the Board of Supervisors' decision to ask voters to approve borrowing nearly $125Million (when you include the interest) for a new jail.
Laura Bergus and Nick Bergus discuss the proposed Johnson County Jail, recapping the Board of Supervisors' discussion of borrowing $94.5M, which would be Johnson County's biggest debt ever.
Oliver Weilein and Laura Bergus discuss the upcoming city council work session and formal meeting, featuring the work of the City of Iowa City's Harvard fellow, Nora Cahill.
Nick Bergus and Laura Bergus discuss the discourse about public discussion--about the proposed Johnson County jail, of course.
Oliver and Laura discuss right-wing fear-mongering around the DSA and how now is a terrible time for local leaders to silence dissent.
Books mentioned this episode: Children of Blood and Bone A Canticle for Liebowitz His Majesty’s Dragon The Blade Itself
Laura dives in solo to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors’ recent $7.6Million in unbudgeted property purchases, approved prior to any disclosure to the public.
Nick and Laura discuss what happened at Johnson County Board of Supervisor meetings on July 1 and July 2, including a secret land purchase!
Laura Bergus and Nick Bergus discuss the current status of Johnson County’s journey towards a new jail, revisiting an early Board of Supervisors work session on the topic, held July 10, 2024.
Oliver and Laura discuss the recent big wins in the New York Democratic primary for Democratic Socialists, and how it relates to local politics in Iowa CIty and Johnson County.
Oliver Weilein and Laura Bergus discuss recent Iowa City city council actions, like a new pilot for a couple of protected bike lanes on Dodge and Governor Streets this fall. And Oliver shares what it feels like to be solidly outside of the elites' club.
Laura and Nick Bergus discuss continued myths surrounding the Johnson County jail, and what we will be asked to believe.
Laura and Oliver riff off a recent community conversation at Great Plains Action Society's hub, learning about why community members want to vote "no" on a new jail.
Laura and Nick Bergus check in about the Democratic primary results and what they might teach us about the jail vote in November.
Oliver Weilein and Laura Bergus discuss city council's recent agreement to help out some displaced tenants.
Laura and Nick Bergus continue their weekly discussion of a proposed new Johnson County jail, focusing on how we define "public safety," and why it must be different than just the reactive State punishment system.
Oliver and Laura discuss the upcoming primary election on June 2.
Laura Bergus and Nick Bergus provide a weekly update on public discourse and questions about the proposed new Johnson County, Iowa, jail.
Oliver and Laura discuss progress on the Summit Street City-developed affordable housing project, deer "management," and how everything (literally everything in society) is made up.
Laura and Nick Bergus discuss a recent Community Conversation hosted by Great Plains Action Society about the question of a new, bigger jail.
