Sarah McCammon

Legislative Wrap-up 2013

Joyce Russell and Sarah McCammon — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:59:42 +0000

IPR's Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell joins Sarah McCammon to wrap up the 2013 session. Lawmakers adjourned in their third week of overtime on Thursday, May 23.

Legislative Preview: 05/20/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:55:56 +0000

Iowa lawmakers are returning to Des Moines for a third week of overtime. The session was scheduled to wrap up May 3, but legislators continue to negotiate education reform, property taxes, Medicaid expansion, and other key issues.

Longer Lifespans For Children with Congenital Disorders Mean New Challenges for Pediatric Doctors

Sarah McCammon — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:39:28 +0000

As medicine advances, babies who used to die from congenital conditions early in life are living longer. That’s the good news. But doctors used to treating children born with heart problems or cystic fibrosis don’t always know how to help them, once they reach adulthood.

Legislative Preview: 05/13/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:58:52 +0000

Paul Name Could Be Asset, or Liability, for Rand Paul

Sarah McCammon — Sat, 11 May 2013 05:45:16 +0000

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says he’s considering a run for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. He headlined a fundraiser for Iowa Republicans Friday night in Cedar Rapids.

He may be picking up where his father, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tx.), left off his 2012 campaign.

Legislative Preview: 05/06/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:30:09 +0000

As Iowa lawmakers go into overtime, IPR's Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell discuss what's left to hash out at the statehouse.

Legislative Preview: 04/29/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:59:19 +0000

IPR Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell joins Sarah McCammon for an update on legislative news.

Legislative Preview: 04/22/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:29:10 +0000

IPR Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell joins 'Morning Edition' Host Sarah McCammon for a weekly conversation about legislative news.

Are Iowa Fertilizer Plants at Risk?

Sarah McCammon — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:13:49 +0000

The deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas is prompting questions about regulatory oversight there. In Iowa, officials say fertilizer is only produced at a handful of sites across the state, but many others store it.

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spokesman says the agency regulates 700 retail facilities in Iowa that store more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia fertilizer, an ingredient that can be particularly volatile.

"Trans Oral History Project" Collects Stories of Transgendered People

Sarah McCammon — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:22:40 +0000

This weekend in Iowa City, several events are planned around the theme of celebrating and understanding the lives of transgendered persons.

Andre Perez of the Trans Oral History Project in Chicago joins IPR's Sarah McCammon for a conversation about trans issues and workshops designed to gather the stories of transgendered Iowans.

For more information about this weekend's events at the University of Iowa, click here.

Legislative Preview: 04/15/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:07:33 +0000

IPR "Morning Edition" Host Sarah McCammon and Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell look ahead to the upcoming week in the Iowa Capitol.

As Rustic Camps Struggle, Girl Scouts Look at Modernizing Camping

Sarah McCammon — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:40:46 +0000

Officials with Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois are voting on whether to downsize four of their Girl Scout camps. The proposal is a step back from an earlier plan, to sell all four camps entirely. Girl Scouts officials say today's girls want a more modern camping experience.

There are certain traditions that are essential to being a Girl Scout: reciting the Girl Scout Pledge, selling cookies, and – for many girls over many decades – going to summer camp.

The Latino Experience in Iowa: Many Cultures Over Many Years

Sarah McCammon — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:01:37 +0000

Latino immigration has helped to shape - and re-shape - Iowa communities for more than a century. Dr. Omar Valerio-Jimenez, associate professor of history at the University of Iowa, joins Sarah McCammon to discuss "The Latino Experience in Iowa." That's the title of a lecture he's giving as part of a series on race and gender at Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids.

Legislative Preview: 04/01/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:11:03 +0000

IPR's Joyce Russell joins Sarah McCammon for an update on news from the Iowa General Assembly.

Legislative Preview: 03/25/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:17:53 +0000

IPR Morning Edition Host Sarah McCammon checks in with Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell on legislative news.

Legislative Preview: 03/18/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:08:50 +0000

IPR's Joyce Russell and Sarah McCammon check in on news from the Iowa Statehouse.

Legislative Preview: 03/11/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:04:44 +0000

Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell joins IPR "Morning Edition" Host Sarah McCammon for a preview of this week's Iowa legislative news.

Some Northeast Iowans Fear Expanded "Frac" Sand Mining

Sarah McCammon — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:39:30 +0000

Northeast Iowa is known for the big, scenic hills that dot the Mississippi River Valley and beyond. Many of those hills contain sandstone. They can be used in hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas.

But some residents are concerned that more sand mining would harm the area’s environment.

Iowa Public Radio’s Sarah McCammon looks at the current state of “frac” sand mining in Iowa…and the potential for more.

Economic Opportunites and Environmental Concerns Set Up Debate Over 'Frac' Sand Mining

Sarah McCammon — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:24:45 +0000

You’ve probably heard about controversies over the environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing – the technique known as “fracking.” There’s no oil or gas fracking in Iowa…but the increasing use of the technique is affecting the state. It’s creating a market for finely-grained silica sand from northeast Iowa.

And some residents of the area are in conflict over the future of frac sand mining.

Legislative Preview: 03/04/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:59:10 +0000

IPR's Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell discuss the latest news from the Iowa Statehouse.

Iowa Public Radio Board Fires CEO

Sarah McCammon — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:14:25 +0000

Iowa Public Radio’s top leader, Mary Grace Herrington, has been fired by the organization’s board of directors. The board voted 6-1 Tuesday to dismiss Herrington. She had been the organization’s chief executive officer since 2009.

The lone dissenter, Mark Braun, is a new IPR board member and the interim Vice President for Strategic Communications at the University of Iowa.

Snow Piles on Des Moines

Sarah McCammon — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:19:14 +0000

A winter snow storm dumped several inches of unexpected snow on the Des Moines area Tuesday morning, much of it during the morning rush hour. Forecasters are adjusting their predictions as more snow moves into the region.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Jeff Johnson says the storm's trajectory defied predictions, which had put most of the snowfall in southeast Iowa.

Legislative Preview: 02/25/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:23:47 +0000

IPR Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell joins Morning Edition Host Sarah McCammon for a weekly preview of Iowa legislative politics.

Frack Sand Mining Stirs Up Controversy in Northeast Iowa

Sarah McCammon — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:17:57 +0000

Controversy over so-called “frack” sand mining is heating up in northeast Iowa. A community meeting Wednesday evening in Decorah will focus on concerns about the possibility of mining development in Winneshiek County.

Fine sand can be used in the hydraulic fracturing process known as “fracking.” The technique is used to remove natural gas and oil from deep underground. There’s not any oil or gas fracking in Iowa right now – but there is a sand mine in northeast Iowa’s Clayton County, which is shipping frack sand out of state.

Legislative Preview: 02/18/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:44:03 +0000

IPR's Morning Edition Host Sarah McCammon checks in with Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell for a look at the week ahead at the Iowa Legislature.

Legislative Preview: 02/04/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:06:14 +0000

IPR's Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell joins Morning Edition Host Sarah McCammon for a look at the upcoming week in Iowa legislative politics.

"Sue the T-Rex" Comes to Iowa

Sarah McCammon — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:00:47 +0000

A replica of a rare, 67,000,000-year-old dinosaur fossil is in Iowa for a little while. “Sue" the T-Rex was discovered in South Dakota in 1990.

The Science Center of Iowa is hosting a traveling exhibit about the dinosaur Feb. 2 to May 12. Workers have been busy this week setting up the replica of the towering fossil.

That’s where IPR's Sarah McCammon caught up with the Science Center’s exhibit director, Allison Shwanebeck, and Michael Paha of the Field Museum in Chicago.

The Silver Lining In Drought: 5 Upsides To Rain-Free Weather

Sarah McCammon — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:09:00 +0000

Drought is mostly seen as a bad thing — and for good reason. It dries up crops, destroys landscaping and stops ships from moving. But even the lack of rain clouds has a bright side.

Good For Grapes

Last summer it seemed like all Midwestern farmers were upset over the lack of rain. But not all of them were; those growing grapes were embracing the drought.

John Larson makes wine at Snus Hill Winery in Madrid, Iowa. This time of year, he's not growing grapes but instead mixing wine in giant, silver tanks.

Legislative Preview: 1/28/13

Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:43:12 +0000

IPR's Sarah McCammon and Joyce Russell catch up on the week's news from the Iowa General Assembly.

Does Drought Have an Upside?

Sarah McCammon — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:52:24 +0000

Over the past several months, we’ve been reporting on lots of problems caused by a lack of rain. And for good reason – the historic drought plaguing Iowa and much of the nation has dried up crops, destroyed landscaping, and killed off fish.

But like with most things, there can be a silver lining.

John Larson makes wine at Snus Hill Winery in Madrid, Iowa. This time of year, he’s not growing grapes – but he is mixing wine in giant, silver tanks.