August 2014

Originally broadcast 08/22/2014
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 We review the events at the August 19 Environmental Protection Commission hearing on the state's proposed rule for Clean Water Act compliance, which the EPA has forced on the state. As stated by the EPC counsel, the rule complies with EPA, "but no more." ICCI's State Policy Organizing Director Adam Mason explains a lawsuit filed by star Des Moines attorney Joseph Glazebrook: 5 of the 9 commissioners benefit financially from the weak ruling, but did not recuse themselves from the decision. We hear the testimonies of Vern Tiggis, Barb Kalbach and Joe Fagan, and the demonstration of "the people's will" by Deborah Bunka. Then, we speak at length with Mary Skopec about the fascinating chemistry and biology of Iowa's water. Mary heads up the water quality monitoring team and issues advisories for state beaches on the beach hotline, (515) 725-3434

Originally broadcast 08/18/2014
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We look back at the achievement of the Grassroots Radio Conference 2014 with an excerpt of journalist David Barsamian's keynote talk and a montage of voices from the Closing Plenary session. Key stories coming out of the GRC included the extensive representation at the conference of the low-power FM (LPFM) movement and the spectacular success of the first annual Hip Hop Summit. KHOI board member Ron Latson reflects on that success, and Ursula Ruedenberg reflects on the mind, heart, body and spirit of this four-day reunion of friends and radio family. We air an excerpt from an interview by Jerome Edge of KSRV with author and cultural voice Ray Young Bear at the Meskwaki Settlement, as an example of community radio journalism at work. Finally, Greta interviews Lynne Carey, director of the Ames Public Library, about the Book Brigade that kicked off the library's return to its "renewed" permanent home on Douglas Ave.

Originally broadcast 08/15/2014
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We invite a number of our guests from around the country to share their visions for community radio. Adrienne Lauby of Pacifica station KPFA Berkeley is currently focusing on the untapped resources of the disability community. Behr of KMUD in California redwoods country describes how emergency response is a vital function of community radio when the dial is crowded with faraway corporate stations. Marika Partridge, former director of NPR's "All Things Considered", explains why she switched from public radio to community radio. Then we hear from two newcomers to the scene: Sam Brannon of San Marcos, Texas and Rev. Joan Ross of Detroit, who states "we're not waiting for the Blackhawk helicopters" in her coalition's efforts to rebuild an occupied city based on human capital. Finally, DJ Defkawn-Edge of KSBR of Mount Vernon, Washington, describes how his hiphop show reinvents the storytelling tradition of the native people he comes from.

Originally broadcast 08/084/2014
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Today's show covers Iowa hog CAFOs past, present and future. First, we interview Ann Pellegreno, a world-famous aviator who left the Story County home she and her husband had established after a 15,000-head hog confinement moved to her neighborhood. We next turn to the construction of a new hog CAFO in southern Boone County owned by Brodie Brelsford of Perry and constructed by Brent Rastetter of Ames. Neighbor Jan Danilson and Des Moines River watershed ecologist Danielle Wirth discuss its likely impact on, among other things, the swimming hole and drinking water of the Boy Scouts Summer Camp. Finally, we turn to Tarah Heinzen of the Environmental Integrity Project in Washington DC, which is joining Iowa's Sierra Club and ICCI in addressing the state's Environmental Protection Commission about an upcoming August 19 ruling pertaining to the Clean Water Act. Will CAFOs of the future be required to obtain permits? Stay tuned to Friday's Clean Water Radio to find out!