Gazette Daily News Podcast: Feb. 24 and 25, 2024

– Kirkwood President Kristie Fisher making $350K

– Iowa researchers advocate for a drought information system, but lack funding

– Largest sycamore in Iowa likely destroyed by suspicious fire

– Postmodern Jukebox cuing up for Iowa City

– Martin Luther King Jr. in Riverside Theatre spotlight

Episode Transcript

Welcome to the weekend edition of The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast. This podcast gives quick bites from the latest headlines coming out of The Gazette newsroom. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Coming up, Iowa researchers are advocating for a drought information system, but are coming up dry on funding

And later, the Iowa DNR is seeking information about a fire in Geode State Park

Plus, things to do this weekend in the Corridor

But first, this past week Kirkwood Community College inaugurated its new President Kristie Fisher. Fisher will make an annual salary of $350,000 for the budget year that ends June 30, according to her three-year contract. This is a slight increase from what Fisher’s predecessor, Lori Sundberg, was making in 2022 when she announced plans to retire. Fisher started her tenure as Kirkwood’s sixth president on Oct. 30. Her employment agreement runs through June 30, 2026 unless it is quote “extended in writing by the parties” end quote. Fisher will also receive benefits, an annual annuity at 12 percent of her base pay, a vehicle allowance and expense reimbursements for business costs. Kirkwood officials told The Gazette that Fisher doesn’t have any deferred compensation agreements or other contract attachments or amendments.

Next, Iowa is heading into its fourth year of drought, causing researchers to advocate for an Iowa Drought Information System. This would better inform water utilities, industries and the public about local water conditions by pulling a wealth of drought-related data into one easy-to-access, free-to-use website. But advocates are coming up dry on the funding front. The project would need about $500,00 upfront. $300,00 would be used to develop the website and incorporate available data. About $150,000 is needed to annually support data analysis and any features added to the website in the future. The idea for the Iowa Drought Information System developed from the Iowa Drought plan, which published in early 2023. That plan designated a drought coordinating team to set drought statuses ranging from normal to emergency for different regions of the state. That way, local, county and state agencies and governments could use the designations to better prepare communities for drought impacts. The Iowa Drought Information System has been pitched to Iowa legislators, government agencies and private entities, but no group has offered funding.

For more details, follow the link in this episode’s description. That will take you to the full story available at The Gazette dot com.

Next, Iowa’s largest sycamore tree was severely damaged after a suspicious fire on Sunday, Feb. 18 at Geode State Park. The park is about 90 miles southeast of Cedar Rapids. The sycamore tree is estimated to be 350 years old, but its survival is now uncertain. According to the Iowa DNR, a Geode State Park visitor alerted staff Sunday that the sycamore was on fire. Now, the Iowa DNR is seeking information about the fire. Callers can remain anonymous. If you have information, call Geode Park Ranger Andrew Kuckler at 319-392-4601.

Are you looking for something to do this weekend? Here are two options in Iowa City. Postmodern Jukebox is bringing today’s hits with yesterday’s twists to the Englert on Sunday, Feb. 25. Postmodern Jukebox is an ensemble that covers popular music in a variety of retro styles. For example, the group covered rock band KISS’s “I Was Made for Loving You” in the style of a spaghetti western soundtrack. The ensemble takes the Englert stage at 7:30pm on Sunday, Feb. 25. Tickets range from $25 to $80 and can be purchased at englert.org/events.

Or maybe you’re looking to catch some theatre this weekend. Riverside Theatre is performing “The Mountaintop”, which imagines a fictional conversation between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a hotel maid before his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968. The two-person play runs through March 10. Tickets range from $15 to $39 and can be bought at riversidetheatre.org/themountaintop.

As always, you can find a link to each of the stories featured in today’s episode in this episode’s description or at the gazette dot com.

Finally, let’s take a look at the weather this weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Saturday will be cloudy with a high of 44 degrees and low of 34 degrees. Sunday things will warm up. Expect mostly sunny skies with a high of 59 degrees and low of 36 degrees. Monday will get even warmer. Anticipate partly cloudy skies with a high of 69 degrees–yes, 69 degrees in February in Iowa. Temperatures are expected to reach a low of 46 degrees Monday night.

Thank you for listening to The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast. Stay up to date with the latest news from Eastern Iowa at the gazette dot com. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com