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The Daily Iowan

Iowa City after dark

Just months after the shooting in the Pedestrian Mall, do you feel safe coming back to campus?

he walk between downtown Iowa City and the University of Iowa campus is only a few blocks. For some students, however, it can feel much longer after the sun goes down. Gavin Leech, a second-year student at the UI, said he had always felt safe on campus during the day, but when he was working at ReUnion Brewery on the Pedestrian Mall during the April 19 shooting, his perception of safety downtown — particularly at night — changed. “When I began working at ReUnion, I expected occasional violence, such as ﬁghts, but I never expected that [there

would be] a shooting,” he said. “Since the shooting, I’ve found myself to be more anxious while at work and feeling a bit on edge. I worry for the safety of myself and those around me and fear the same kind of violence could happen again.” Five people, including three UI students, were injured in the April 19 shooting after a ﬁght broke out on the Ped Mall shortly before 2 a.m. The incident prompted an increased law enforcement presence downtown and renewed conversations among city and university oﬃcials surrounding safety in the area. Leech’s concerns come as thousands of students pour into Iowa City for the fall semester, putting extra pressure on law enforcement is already balancing renewed concerns about downtown safety. For other students who were downtown the night of April 19, the shooting

similarly changed how they view their safety in Iowa City. Claire Carey, a second-year student at the UI, said after seeing how much chaos ensued after the shots went oﬀ in downtown this April, she became more aware of the possibility of gun violence in Iowa City. “I am very scared of gun violence,” she said. “It'd be crazy to say you weren't, but I was out [that night], and I did hear gunshots, and we saw people running, we saw paramedics, and the reality of it set in after that.” As students like Leech and Carey return to a downtown altered by the shooting, city and university oﬃcials are carrying some of the safety measures adopted in its aftermath into the new school year.

Local police navigate changes IMU, Student Health prepare to training laws for change Following the elimination of the annual bias training mandate, police departments have had to alter their training regimens.

The project remains on schedule and on budget following one year of construction.

On July 1, House File 2711, a bill overturning the requirement for law enforcement agencies to conduct annual bias training, went into effect. The law still requires annual de-escalation training for law enforcement agencies. House File 2647, the requirement for annual de-escalation and bias training, went into effect in July 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. According to a 2020 news release from U.S. Sen.

The Iowa Memorial Union and student services at the University of Iowa are set for a series of changes as renovations to the historic building near the end of phase one of construction. With construction starting in summer 2025 following approval from the Iowa Board of Regents, the $81.4 million project is set to be completed in fall 2027. Student Health, housed in the Westlawn building on the west side of the UI campus, will vacate the premises and move into the new space after renovations are completed. According to the university officials, the project's budget remains unchanged. Bill Nelson, executive director of the IMU and associate dean of the IMU, said the project has been broken up into two phases. He said phase one will be completed in Fall 2026, with phase two completed in Fall 2027, when the building will be restored for full use by the student body. Nelson said parts of phase one will overlap during phase two as the renovations near completion. Phase one began in Summer 2025 and includes a new “space for decompression,” connecting the southeast corridor of the building to the northeast corridor, and connecting Madison Street to the river. Nelson said the decompression space on the ﬁrst level will have high ceilings and is intended to be a place for students to relax and gather their bearings before ﬁnding their way to other areas of the building.

Since the beginning of July, the Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty police departments have made decisions regarding the future of bias training courses for their departments. For the last six years, bias training was a required part of annual training regimens for Iowa police departments. Now, local law enforcement agencies have had to weigh the training’s importance in their operation.

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As investigations continue, trial dates are set, and charges move through the courts as students return to campus, the Iowa City Police Department, or ICPD, plans to continue its joint downtown patrols with the UI’s police department, or UIPD. ICPD increased its downtown patrols starting the weekend after the shooting, with four additional UIPD officers added to the Ped Mall and surrounding areas. Officers patrolled across Clinton Street, Dubuque Street, Iowa Avenue and Washington Street. Lee Hermiston, ICPD’s public information officer, said the department has been pleased with the additional downtown patrols and plans to continue its partnership with UI Campus Safety throughout the fall semester. Hayley Bruce, chief of staff and public information officer for campus safety at the UI, said UIPD has received lots of positive feedback through its joint partnership with ICPD. “In terms of what we've seen this summer, that partnership has been really successful in increasing visibility, supporting safety efforts downtown, and then continuing to strengthen that coordination between our agencies,” she said. Bruce said while ICPD, UIPD, and the Johnson County heriff s ffice are separate entities, they have overlapping jurisdictions and regularly assist one another when responding to incidents throughout the area. “We have agreements with all of the local area law enforcement where we will back each other up on calls and support each other on various types of responses depending on what the situation is, just based on who's closest by,” she said. “When it comes to downtown, we both have jurisdiction over that area and [UIPD’s] primary focus is going to be intervening on the front end of any unsafe behavior.” As the departments prepare to continue those efforts into the fall, ermiston said ICPD has not identified any spike in violent crime associated with students returning to Iowa City. He still urged residents to be mindful of their surroundings as downtown becomes busier. “Just take those steps to make sure that you know you're being safe, being visible, and getting to your destination,” Hermiston said. According to ICPD’s 2024 annual report, the number of shootings, rounds fired, people struck, and homicides all decreased from 2020 to 2024. The report noted seven total shootings in 2024, a drastic decrease from the 57 total shootings in 2020. “Generally speaking, Iowa City is a safe place to live, to work, and to go to school,” Hermiston said. “But that doesn't mean

that anyone who is out and about in any part of our city, including downtown, should take that for granted.” Other categories of crime have uctuated in Iowa City in recent years. According to the 2024 report, aggravated assaults increased from 141 in 2020 to 213 in 2024, while robberies increased from 27 to 43 during the same period. Simple assaults, which are classiﬁed as assaults without a weapon or serious bodily injury, also increased from 547 in 2020 to 776 in 2024. Compared with other college communities with similar populations, Iowa City fell near the middle for violent crime in 2024. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data show Iowa City recorded about 321 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, compared with about 462 in Lawrence, Kansas, 348 in Columbia, Missouri, and 287 in Bloomington, Indiana. Violent crime under the FBI’s definition includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

A few days after the shooting on the Ped Mall, Iowa City City Council members debated how much of the city’s budget should go toward traditional policing versus alternative approaches to public safety. During its April 21 meeting, the council approved the overall ﬁscal year budget in a 5-2 vote, while separately considering and rejecting a police budget reduction. Iowa City s ﬁscal year runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. In a 4-3 vote on the proposal pulled from the regular budget discussion, councilors Mazahir Salih, Laura Bergus, and Oliver Weilein supported the reduction for ICPD while the remaining four councilors voted against it. The measure would have redirected $500,000 from ICPD’s annual budget toward other city

priorities, including community-based public safety and crisis response services. The discussion came as part of a broader debate among councilors over how Iowa City should allocate resources toward traditional law enforcement and alternative approaches to safety. In a 6-1 vote during the same meeting, the council established a Community Response Reserve fund of roughly $162,000 from a surplus city funds. While the money has not yet been allocated to a specific program, councilors have discussed using it to support alternative public safety responses, including dedicated mobile crisis responders in downtown Iowa City. In an interview with The Daily Iowan, Bergus said trained crisis responders could address some con icts that occur downtown without immediately requiring a law enforcement response. “It could be neighbors who are having issues,” she said. “It could be things like noise complaints. It could be someone who has had too much to drink and not backing down — a bartender can make a call to say, ‘We’ve got people who maybe need to leave.’” Bergus said the programs are part of a broader approach to public safety that extends beyond traditional law enforcement. In addition to crisis responders, Bergus said the city can intervene in crises before they escalate to the point where law enforcement is needed by making mental health resources more available. She said resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is a , conﬁdential number available for anyone experiencing mental health issues, are underutilized and can connect residents with trained mental health counselors before a situation escalates. “I hope we continue to invest in prevention and addressing those kinds of harm in ways

How Iowa City compares on violent crime Among four major college towns, Iowa City had the second-lowest violent crime rate in 2024, with 321 incidents per 100,000 residents.

that don't have to invoke law enforcement or the carceral system in general,” Bergus said.

As the fall semester begins, Bruce, UI’s public information officer for campus safety, said she wants to make sure students know they have access to campus and community resources. UI’s Undergraduate Student Government, or USG, meets with Campus Safety once a month and provides safety services for all students at the university, including free $5 Uber vouchers, free Birdie noise alarms, and Nightcap covers, which are used to prevent drink spiking. City council also meets with USG to discuss issues affecting students, including public safety concerns and the relationship between the university and the broader Iowa City community. Bergus said a safety concern she often hears from students is the lighting downtown after dark. That concern has shaped some of USG’s efforts to help students travel safely at night, primarily through the Uber voucher program. USG President Emily Cross said the initiative is one of their most popular programs. She said the initiative, also known as Hawk Vouchers, runs from Aug. 21 through Dec. 20 during the fall semester, and students can use the vouchers from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. within a five-mile radius of campus. Each student who signs up receives three vouchers per semester. The program recently adjusted its hours and the three vouchers available per student to accommodate increased demand. It lessens the financial burden for students,” Cross said. “When it gets dark out, it’s about getting students home safe. I know certain areas aren't lit the best, and that's kind of something with the city that I feel USG has tried to work on multiple times.” Other options to help get students home safely, Bruce said, include the UI’s Nite Ride shuttles, a free late-night transit service available to all UI students, and the Rave Guardian app, which allows students to set a safety timer for their walk home or to anonymously contact campus police if needed. USG Director of Health and Safety Ava LaBine said USG distributes kits with resources and supplies to help students stay

safe during busy weekends on campus, such as Halloween. “Last year in those kits we had condoms, nightcap covers, Birdie alarms, Uber voucher information, and resources from Student Wellness and Student Health on how to keep yourself safe on Halloween weekend,” she said. “Campus Safety will be there again this year. Whatever you think you’ll need for a safe weekend — electrolyte packets, band-aids — that was all in there.” While USG’s efforts focus on providing students with tools to stay safe before problems arise, law enforcement officials are urging students to know how to respond when a situation presents itself and becomes dangerous. To prevent violent situations from escalating, particularly following the violence seen during the Ped Mall shooting, ICPD’s Hermiston recommends students prioritize getting to safety and alerting law enforcement rather than staying to watch or record an incident. “If something doesn't feel right, ag down one of our officers and let them know, he said. “If you don't feel safe in a situation, get out of there. It is not the time to start pulling out your phone and recording things. Just leave a situation if it feels unsafe, and if something is happening, let an officer know. Cross said USG plans to increase awareness across campus of the protections available to students who seek assistance during emergencies. “I think this year we really need to emphasize medical amnesty, where you will not get in trouble,” she said. “If you're drunk and you need help, you need to get medical help.” Bruce said she encourages students to review their settings for the UI’s campus emergency notification system, or HawkAlert, to ensure they are registered to receive emergency notifications by text message, which she said is the fastest way to receive an alert. Bruce urged students to look out for one another, remain aware of their surroundings, and report potentially unsafe situations rather than intervening or staying nearby to record them. “If something doesn't seem right, trust your instincts,” she said. “If you see someone who might need help, notify law enforcement or venue staff or another trusted person rather than intervening directly and putting yourself in a dangerous situation.”

A N - Peter Nazareth, longtime niversity of Iowa professor, novelist, literary critic, and adviser to the International Writing Program, passed away on May , , in Ashburn, irginia. e was years old. Born on April 27, 19 , in ampala, Uganda, Peter was part of a generation of influential African writers who left an indelible mark on literature. is books included In a rown Mantle and The eneral Is p which explored themes of colonialism, exile, multiculturalism, and political upheaval. In 19 , Peter oined the niversity of Iowa through the International Writing Program, later becoming an adviser to the I P for over years. Writers from around the globe saw him as a mentor and intellectual guide. As an nglish Department professor, he taught African, Caribbean, African American, ingaporean, and world literatures. ne of his most renowned courses, lvis as Anthology examined lvis Presley through the lenses of race, music, and cultural exchange and got him worldwide media attention. Peter retired in 1 and moved to irginia in to be closer to family. e is survived by his wife of years, Mary daughters athleen Na areth andy ccles and Moni ue Na areth Patrick Cronin grandsons Chris, Aidan, and reyson and siblings uth, John, and David. His warmth, humor, and intellectual generosity left lasting impressions on all those who knew him.

Chuck Grassley’s, R-Iowa, congressional team said the original law was created through bipartisan efforts with the goal of bringing greater accountability to Iowa’s law enforcement officers. According to the Council on Criminal Justice, bias training for law enforcement agencies focuses on changing attitudes and thought processes by prompting officers to confront their personal biases, thereby allowing for more e uitable policing. In an email statement to The Daily Iowan, Lee Hermiston, the City of Iowa City public information officer, said the Iowa City Police Department “routinely cycles” different training topics annually, with bias training among them. “With bias training no longer required, we will emphasize other training topics,” Hermiston said in his statement. The department reserves the right to reintroduce bias training in the future as we see fit. In his statement, Hermiston said bias training has been completed in two different formats for the Iowa City Police Department. The first format was in-person training delivered by the niversity of Iowa Department of Campus afety during Johnson County s annual training for agencies. The second was an online training module focused on bias in policing and was a part of a larger database of topics that the department pays about $9,700 per year to Police egal ervices to access. Hermiston said while the department will focus less on bias training, it doesn’t anticipate any changes in its uality of service. “A majority of our department is already wellversed in bias training, and we remain committed to serving with dignity, respect, and adherence

to best practices, ermiston wrote in his statement. Other departments, such as the North Liberty and Coralville Police Departments, are working to ensure bias training is consistently incorporated into annual training regimens, even though the lessons may undergo some alterations. e re exploring all opportunities to provide ongoing training in several different aspects, Mike Mrstik, administrative lieutenant at the Coralville Police Department, said. It s early to say that we re going to commit to this 100 percent of the time because it’s going to depend on what other training is out there and our time constraints. hile Mrstik and the Coralville Police Department want to continue offering bias training to its officers, the department s goal is to cover the most pertinent training topics that will most benefit the Coralville community. hen you continue to find ways to train your staff that you find valuable and that people find valuable, and you re not ust meeting that check in the box, that s going to have a positive impact on the community, the officers, and then all of those in between, Mrstik said. North Liberty Police Department Police Chief Diane Venenga said the department’s training regimen will not change much, adding the main difference will be less time spent directly on bias training, though it will remain as a training option. Pretty much everything that we do within our training there is some type of verbali ation, de-escalation, community policing, so it’s not really going to change our

training, enenga said. e also have an implicit bias instructor, so we will ust modify it. It ust won t be the mandated four hours. While the training isn’t mandatory anymore, Venenga said it is important that her department still receive bias training and other training to improve themselves and their service to the community. The most training we can get, the better for everybody, enenga said. As police departments have now had to evaluate the importance of bias training to their department’s training plans, Amber Powell, assistant professor of sociology and criminology at the niversity of Iowa, said a potential reason for the change to the 2020 law may be the current perception of law enforcement. I ve always understood people s attitudes toward policing as a pendulum that’s swinging back and forth, and 2020 was certainly one of those turning points,” Powell said. I think now the political climate is such where the pendulum has kind of swung back to maybe less progressive means. Powell said the elimination of bias training mandates can not only negatively aﬀect the public s perception of police departments, but also the way police departments operate within certain communities. That s higher levels of procedural in ustice, higher levels of bias, higher levels of police brutality, Powell said. hen that continues to happen, and it becomes a part of the system again, it s going to create greater levels of distrust.

That first level is almost like a triage area if you don t know where to go, Nelson said. People can relax, meditate, decompress, and we re excited to offer that to students. Connecting Madison treet to the Iowa iver will relocate the kitchen to the ground oor, increasing food service options. The second oor will be home to niversity Counseling ervices and a wing that includes the deck and the Dean of tudents area. Nelson said counseling services will occupy most of the space at the former Iowa House Hotel, which closed in ebruary . Phase one also saw the closure of two dining locations: the IM s nion tation, previously located on the ground oor, and the iver oom, previously located on the first oor. Nelson said a national food chain will fill that space following renovations in fall . The brand will be announced on ept. 1 , and students will be able to use their I dining dollars at the new location. The IM s ground oor is also home to an esports arcade. Nelson said the arcade will relocate to the Academic esource Center's current location. The esports arcade is utili ed by a lot of students, and I think you would be amazed at the number of students who find their home in that space,” Nelson said. The building s historic tenure continues to be taken into account, with sustainability remaining a key component in the renovation process. Nelson said during the project the building has not been lowered, maintaining its longstanding a r c h ite c t u r a l bu i ld a nd t he u n i ver sit y s sustainable initiatives. istoric aspects of the IM such as the first- oor Main ounge, the International allroom on the second oor, and the ayne ichey allroom on the third oor all remain untouched, Nelson said. Nelson sees the pro ect as key to improving building circulation and wayfinding, with the new layout helping faculty and students alike feel comfortable in the space. To improve circulation, students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be able to access all oors through a single set of elevators or stairs, unlike the building s current layout, where individuals must use different sets of elevators and stairs to get from oor to oor. tudent organi ations on campus, such as raternity and orority ife and Dance Marathon, will also see a change with a new leadership and engagement area where groups can collaborate. Additionally, there will be new conference rooms on the first, second, and fourth oors, reducing over ow during meetings and providing additional storage.

The I s tudent ealth service has remained a vital resource for undergraduate and graduate students at the university, opening in 19 in the estlawn space where it is now housed. In all , however, the service will have a new home on the third oor of the IM . Todd Patterson, director of tudent ealth at the I,

said the decision to relocate from Westlawn was primarily about accessibility. aving services in one accessible location will make it easier for students to connect with the right resources,” Patterson said. The transition, he said, will also reduce the fatigue that may come with seeking help and aid students in finding support services tailored to their specific needs. Patterson said tudent ealth offers a range of medical services at its estlawn location and will continue to do so after the transition to a new space. Medical services include family medicine, gynecology, eating disorders, weight management, sexual health, men s and women s health, nurse care, and psychiatry. I tudent ealth also works in tandem with I ealth Care, allowing staff to provide consults, referrals, and imaging. Patterson said services now offered in the estlawn

building will continue to be offered in the IM . The transition to a new space, however, will enable providers and support services to operate under a more collaborative model. ur goal is to offer a more coordinated and connected experience, making it easier for students to access the right support at the right time and navigate services more effectively, Patterson said. Patterson said that having tudent ealth in the IM will also allow the Division of tudent ife's services at the university, which focus on health and well-being, to work in a shared space. The third oor will be reserved for tudent ealth only, allowing for a centrali ed space. According to the university officials, estlawn will continue to house a childcare center following tudent ealth s vacancy until the center moves into its newly approved I ealth Care childcare center. nce the center vacates the premises, the estlawn building will be ra ed in accordance with the I s Master acilities Plan. I tudent ealth and all IM services and programming will transition into the space after all renovations are complete, I officials said. “I could be no more excited to showcase the space when it is ready, Nelson said. e are on track and really excited.

SUMMER IN A FLASH DI Staff photographed a variety of events this summer. From Banana Ball to Block Party, they captured it all.

OPINIONS

Iowa women’s healthcare crisis goes beyond abortion access

Even when a clinic goes away, the need for care doesn’t.

s of July 31, the Iowa City Planned Parenthood shut its doors, leaving Des Moines with the only Iowa location. Although telehealth will continue providing medical care and services through the organization, access to abortion care will become more difficult, especially for patients who live in rural Iowa. Eastern Iowa will still have the Emma Goldman Clinic but will reduce the number of providers in the area to one, re ecting a change in the availability of healthcare resources. Fewer providers could mean patients have fewer appointment options or face longer wait times. This is especially concerning since Iowa already has stringent laws about abortion. A new Iowa law took effect on July 1, re uiring in-person service for medication abortion, which potentially places additional strain on the state’s remaining abortion providers. In the past specifically in Planned Parenthood provided over , abortions in Iowa, while the mma oldman Clinic provided over . yrstin Delagardelle, director of public affairs for Iowa at Planned Parenthood North Central States, remains optimistic. “The closure doesn’t mean that the need for care has gone away. It s ust that care is gonna look different, Delagardelle said. Planned Parenthood will continue offering virtual services such as birth control, emergency contraception, STI testing, and menopause care, while abortion patients can still receive care at the Emma Goldman Clinic in Iowa City or travel to other Planned Parenthood locations. Delagardelle said the organization’s patient navigators help coordinate transportation, lodging, childcare, find community resources, and connect with financial assistance for patients. She stated that these patient navigators have helped more than 1 , people access essential care.

According to Planned Parenthood North Central tates, their telehealth will still offer birth control, emergency contraception, gender affirming care, pregnancy testing and planning, prenatal and postpartum services, STI testing and treatment, vaccines, mental health supports, perimenopause and menopause care, and even some wellness and preventive care. But the pressure on Planned Parenthood, and on other women’s healthcare clinics, is not limited to laws and funding. The organization has also faced years of political hostility and public opposition, and that hostility comes with conse uences. In recent years, there have been reports of decreased staff in the northern central states. Losing healthcare workers because of the controversy

surrounding where they work adds another layer to the state’s access problem. That pressure has also been visible in the community. Planned Parenthood facilities and their employees have faced protests and threats for decades, and Iowa City is no exception. Alongside protests for women’s rights, there have been countless protests against these clinics, such as the March for ife. The eﬀect of that hostility is diﬃcult to measure in a single statistic. But healthcare does not exist separately from the environment in which providers work.

Planned Parenthood’s departure from Iowa City may be saddening, and even when these organizations continue doing important work, there is something to be said about the general inaccessibility of women’s healthcare in the state. ith only . - Ns for every 1 , women of reproductive age, compared to the national average of 4.5, Iowa already ranks low in maternal health. With fewer specialists available to provide essential care, many preventable medical emergencies could persist. The shortage of providers is only part of the issue.

Obstetric facilities in Iowa Iowa has 54 hospitals providing obstetric and birthing services across the state, though access varies widely by region.

Rural Iowa has the most maternal healthcare deserts in the country, with 57 percent of Iowa counties without an obstetric facility, despite over percent of babies being born in rural counties. On top of this, 14 percent of Iowa women also do not have a hospital where they can give birth within minutes of their homes. While countless labor and delivery units are closing and 19 rural hospitals are at risk of closure, Iowa is seeing an increasing number of physicians leave their practices in the state. Numbers aside, these are real issues that are not occurring independently. The loss of providers, medical professionals, and accessible care are all connected. For rural patients, each loss can mean fewer options and longer travel. Political pressure surrounding reproductive healthcare adds another challenge to an already strained system. Improving access means keeping providers in Iowa, clinics open, and care within reach. To its credit, the state has acknowledged the rural healthcare shortage and has proposed investments to address it. Gov. Kim Reynolds promoted the Healthy ometowns initiative, which received 9 million for its first year through the federal ural ealth Transformation Program. As part of this initiative, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics was given 1 million over five years for two projects to strengthen rural healthcare. The projects focus on creating health hubs, with priority for maternal and child health, cancer, cardiovascular care, and more. This is particularly important because it intends to bring more resources into rural communities. The effects of this implementation are yet to be recorded. However, there is a contradiction that must be acknowledged. Leaders say that improving access to rural and maternal healthcare is a priority, while women across the state are still facing fewer places to give birth, shortages of OB-GYNs and greater distances to care. At the same time, Iowa continues to restrict abortion access. Gov. Kim Reynolds has described these policies as part of Iowa’s commitment to supporting mothers and babies. While Iowans wait for any relief, it is important to note that even as they wait, lives are still at stake. A report from the Maternal Mortality Report Committee found over 9 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in Iowa to be preventable. Those are countless deaths that would have been saved if given the proper care and resources. The gap between the state’s stated priorities and the reality many women face raises an important uestion Who is responsible for ensuring these investments actually translate into accessible care? As Iowa leaders work to address these healthcare access gaps, individual healthcare organizations are still being left to navigate the immediate conse uences for their patients. Decisions to close a clinic are never easy decisions, Delagardelle said, regarding the Iowa City Planned Parenthood. She then explained that the organization made the decision with its long-term ability to provide care in mind. “Our priority is making sure that patients can access care today, tomorrow, 1 years in the future, she said. If Planned Parenthood is planning for whether women can access care a decade from now, Iowa’s leaders

The politics of pizza Iowa candidates campaign where voters eat.

izza has found a place in Iowa’s race for governor as candidates turn to familiar pizza brands to connect with voters on the campaign trail. Iowa gubernatorial candidate and State Auditor Rob Sand has made Casey’s a recurring part of his campaign, while Pizza Ranch has maintained a longstanding presence in Republican politics through campaigning events and political donations from its founder. Sand has incorporated Casey’s into his social media presence for years and continues to do so during his 2026 gubernatorial campaign. Pizza Ranch, another Iowa-founded company, has frequently served as a campaign stop for Republican candidates. The company’s founder, Adrie Groeneweg, has also personally donated to Republican candidates, including U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who lost the 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary to Zach Lahn. Dennis Goldford, a retired professor at Drake University and author of “American Constitution and the Debate over Originalism,” said candidates generally want to establish a connection between themselves and voters. The ﬁrst thing the candidate wants to do is try to say, at the most basic level, ‘I am one of you,’” Goldford said. For candidates with strong ties to Iowa, appearing at businesses voters already recognize can reinforce that message.

Sand’s association with Casey’s predates his campaign for governor. As early as 2019, Sand was publicly posting reviews of Casey’s breakfast pizza. In one post, he praised a Casey’s location for having both sausage and bacon breakfast pizza, writing he was “moving [Casey’s] up a notch.” During the 2026 campaign, Sand has used Casey’s as part of organized campaign events. His campaign began holding events titled, “Casey’s and Conversation,” which have been advertised in communities including Ames, Muscatine, and Ottumwa. The events center on conversations among voters while Sand’s team provides Casey’s pizza. In a post on his personal Substack account, and wrote about his effort to engage voters across party lines during his statewide town hall tour. The post re ects the same cross-party messaging used in Casey’s events. Sand wrote about an interaction demonstrating the importance of “showing up and being part of the conversation,” while his campaign has promoted Casey’s and Conversation events as opportunities for Iowans with different political views to speak with one another. Sand has also continued posting about Casey’s outside of those events, including during a visit from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear this summer. “Thank you Gov. Beshear for coming to Iowa!” Sand wrote. “Glad I could introduce you to your new favorite pizza.” Casey’s has grown well beyond Iowa. The Ankeny-based company operates nearly 3,000 stores and describes itself as the nation’s third-largest convenience retailer and fifth-largest pi a chain. Despite that growth, the company has remained headquartered in Iowa and has a familiar presence in communities throughout the state. University of Iowa political science professor Tim Hagle said posts about food and other personal interests can help candidates show voters another side

of themselves. “It’s not always policy,” Hagle said. “It’s, ‘I’m an average guy. I have to eat too, and here’s a nice place to stop.’” Hagle said the strategy is similar to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, posting regularly on social media about stopping at Dairy Queen for a blizzard. He said the goal is partly to make a politician appear more like an ordinary person, rather than showing voters only campaign speeches and policy positions. That approach can be particularly useful when candidates are trying to reach voters who are less engaged with party politics. Hagle said no-party voters may be more focused on issues including the economy, jobs, education, and healthcare than on partisan political disputes. “That’s the kind of nice thing that humanizes the candidates and lets people relate to that candidate as a person,” Hagle said.

Pizza Ranch’s connection to Iowa campaigns stretches back decades and continued during the 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary between Feenstra and Republican nominee Lahn. Groeneweg founded the ﬁrst Pi a anch in Hull, Iowa, in 1981, and the company has since expanded to more than 200 restaurants across the Midwest. The W as hing t on P os t reported that as early as 2007, presidential candidates including Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul appeared at the Pizza Ranch in Pella ahead of the 2008 Iowa caucuses. During the 2026 Republican primary, Feenstra frequently held meet-andgreets at Pizza Ranch restaurants, while Lahn’s campaign events took place across a broader range of venues. In November 2025, Lahn attended an Ida County Republican candidate forum, while Feenstra instead held a meet-andgreet at a Pizza Ranch in Mason City. Lahn went on to defeat Feenstra in the June Republican primary. Lahn made opposition to corporate in uence part of his campaign message from its launch in November 2025, when he said he was his “own biggest donor” and “can’t be bought.” Lahn’s campaign finances became

more dependent on outside contributions as the race progressed. By May, he had raised $3.14 million during the election cycle, including a $2 million personal loan, as well as two individual contributions of $250,000 and $150,000. After the primary, his campaign received $5 million from the Republican Governors Association’s Right Direction PAC during a single reporting period. The political activity of Pizza Ranch’s founder adds another component to that association. Groeneweg has personally contributed to Republican candidates, including Feenstra, with the connection dating back to at least his first congressional campaign. Federal Election Commission records show Groeneweg contributed $3,500 to Feenstra for Congress in May 2025. The filing lists his employer as Pizza Ranch and his occupation as the owner. Groeneweg later became involved with Feenstra’s gubernatorial fundraising operation when the campaign announced in June 2025 that he was part of an expanded 64-member finance committee and identified him as Pizza Ranch’s CEO. The Feenstra campaign described the committee as comprising prominent Republican donors and Iowa business leaders. Groeneweg’s contributions were individual political activity and do not establish that Pizza Ranch as a company endorsed Feenstra. His involvement, however, creates a connection between the company’s leadership and a candidate who frequently used Pizza Ranch restaurants as campaign venues. Feenstra also has a personal history with Pizza Ranch. He grew up in Hull, where the company was founded, and has said he met his wife when they both worked at their local Pizza Ranch. Pizza Ranch’s role in Iowa politics also extends beyond the 2026 race. Presidential and statewide candidates have used the restaurants as places to speak with smaller groups of voters rather than holding larger rallies. Goldford said campaigns have to consider where candidates can most effectively use their time, referencing a political saying associated with former Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater: “You don’t go hunting where the ducks aren’t.”

N IO LL MI

The 2026 Iowa Gubenatorial race has been a high spend journey for the candidates.

N IO LL MI

Who has a $20 piece of the pie? $20

Hagle said Pizza Ranch’s history with Republican politicians and the political involvement of people connected with the company could contribute to a partisan perception. Individual business owners, however, are free to make their own political contributions, Hagle said, and those contributions should be distinguished from actions taken by the company. Hagle said the distinction can become less clear to some consumers and lead to boycotting. Some customers may not care about the political views of a company’s owners, while others may make purchasing decisions based on those views. Hagle said increased political polarization has made those considerations more visible. A LendingTree survey found nearly a third of Americans have boycotted a business over its political, social, or religious positions. The most common reasons included discrimination and political affiliations or donations According to the survey, younger consumers were especially likely to research the company’s values before making a purchase. The survey also found 23 percent of Americans have intentionally supported a business because others were boycotting it. While large companies were the most common targets, 35 percent of boycotters said they had also avoided a small business. Goldford said businesses risk losing potential customers when their brands become closely associated with one political party. But he said an owner’s personal political activity does not directly mean they want the business itself to develop a partisan identity.

Iowa candidates have long used restaurants, fairs, coffee shops, and other public venues to interact with voters. Those appearances can communicate something about a candidate without requiring a formal campaign message. For Sand, his history of talking about Casey’s allows his campaign to connect current events with part of his public image that predates his gubernatorial run. Social media has also expanded the audience for those appearances. A campaign stop that might have only reached the voters inside a restaurant can now produce photographs and videos that campaigns distribute to thousands of followers. These locations can also provide campaigns with an existing gathering place as candidates travel across the state. Rather than organizing every appearance in a traditional campaign venue, these establishments can allow for smaller events where candidates can meet and speak individually with voters. In Iowa, where statewide candidates regularly travel between smaller communities, those stops can become part of a broader effort to maintain a statewide presence. While stops at local businesses make up a small part of a statewide campaign, Hagle said voters form opinions about local candidates from more than their positions on major political issues. The settings candidates choose, how they interact with people, and the parts of their lives they share publicly can contribute to that broader impression. “For [voters], it may make more of a difference if it’s somebody that they feel comfortable with, as a person, that they can then maybe trust,” Hagle said.

SPORTS

Iowa volleyball coach approaches milestone Head coach Jim Barnes enters the 2026 season just two wins shy of 500 career victories.

fter a 2025 campaign that ended just one win short of an even record, Iowa volleyball has the opportunity this season to reach multiple historic markers. As key returning players and the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament present the chance for a momentous year, Iowa head coach Jim Barnes closes in on a milestone of his own: 500 career victories. In 29 years as a head coach, Barnes, whose career began as an assistant coach at McNeese State, has collected 498 wins, just two shy of the accolade. These wins, combined with 427 losses, are good for a .538 career winning percentage. Coupled with experience at schools like Baylor, Tulane, and Wyoming, Barnes looks to make Iowa the next big volleyball school. “We are making steps forward in turning Iowa into a volleyball school,” Barnes said at Big Ten Volleyball Media Days on Aug. 3 in Chicago. “I know people hear football and basketball quite a bit from us. That’s why we came. We came to make people talk about volleyball.” In his ﬁrst three seasons heading the program in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes saw records of 10-21 in 2022, 8-24 in 2023, and 10-22 in 2024. The 2025 season, however, had a spark that was missing for years, becoming Iowa’s best season on record since 2016. “I think they’re on a mission,” Barnes said. “All of us who signed on to represent Iowa, we knew we were going to have to be on a mission to turn this program into something. Last year, we made big strides. They’re taking that experience and building on it. I know they’re excited to get into the

biggest tournament — the NCAA one. We have a lot of big goals ahead of us.” The Hawkeyes started the nonconference portion of their 2025 season with a - surge five of their wins coming via sweeps against teams like Butler, Loyola Chicago, and UNLV. By the time conference play entered the mix, Iowa was 9- , ultimately finishing the season 1 -1 . While the 2025 team, aided by weapons such as setter Claire Ammeraal and outside hitter Chard’e Vanzandt, fell short of an even or winning record, there was still plenty to celebrate. Iowa took down Illinois in Champaign for the first time since , and defeated hio tate for the first time since . This year’s squad, consisting of 13 returners, carries optimism into the season. “I’ve been so privileged to be a part of what we’re building here at Iowa,” fourthyear middle hitter Hannah Whittingstall said. “I truly believe that each year we’ve taken a step up. I’m just super excited with all the pieces that we’ve added from transfers and two freshmen who are so willing to work.” Whittingstall was a key member of last season s offense, receiving ig Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 25, 2025. The San Antonio native also set an Iowa record for the program’s most blocks in the rally scoring era, with 129. “I think the coaches helped me so much last year [with] being able to get to that point in general,” Whittingstall said. “I’m surrounded by great players in practice, too, that make my blocking a little bit harder.” Shoring up the middle this season is fifth-year iv Mogridge, a -foot- middle hitter with experience at the University of North Carolina and, most recently, Georgia

Tech. Both middle hitters credited Barnes as ma or in uences on their time at Iowa, past, present, and future. “His optimism is so infectious,” Mogridge said. “It’s really refreshing to have a smile when we walk into the gym. As a player, I can be a little bit intense. I’m a little competitive. I feel like it s a good offset to be able to look at my coach and know he wants the best for me and every single one of my teammates.” Even with the growing impact of the transfer portal in college sports and the future of the athletes involved, Mogridge still found the adjustment to Iowa comfortable, largely because of the people associated with its program. “I’ve never been surrounded by so many genuinely nice people,” Mogridge said. ur coaching staff was so open to helping players grow, developing them into not just good players, but good humans. I wanted to try something new. I had always been on the East Coast, so the Midwest is definitely new for me. It s been super fun and exciting.” Whittingstall has been at Iowa a few seasons longer than her counterpart, but her impression of Barnes remains unchanged and equally positive. “The optimism has carried us so far,” Whittingstall said. “[Barnes] stays positive. I think something so special about him is he truly believes in each individual player that he brings on. That gives every player confidence going into games and practices.” Barnes returned the praise, citing Mogridge as a tough and experienced portal player, one of two players acquired in the offseason, the other being regon transfer Ksenija Tomic, an outside hitter originally from Belgrade, Serbia. “Liv is an absolute beast,” Barnes said. “She’s going to take names every game.

She’ll be one of the middles that leads the team in kills, which we don’t see often. [In] her first spring scrimmage, she had kills in three sets. You’ll see. She can bring it.” A big source of competition this season will be the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament. Of the 18-team Big Ten juggernaut, the conference’s top 15 teams will qualify for the new event, set to begin on Nov. 20 at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana. “I was a big proponent of it ever since I came into the league,” Barnes said. “I thought it would be a no-brainer as far as how exciting it would be. It would be another championship for these ladies to play for. I think the volleyball world is going to turn its eyes onto it. I was glad it finally went through. e had to talk some coaches into it.” The addition of the tournament, which is not a guarantee for every conference team, presents a new challenge, but one the Iowa women are eagerly anticipating. “I think the more comfortable we get together in both positions, learning how to be the best we can at our respective roles, is going to make all the difference, Mogridge said. Barnes summarized that, while the Big Ten is at a high caliber of competition, it’s also an exercise in mental fortitude. “It’s the hardest thing, to me, in coaching, getting the mentality to understand, ‘That was a loss, get past it, let’s get ready for the next one,’” Barnes said. “Same in life, you’re going to face things where you get hit in the face, and you’ve got to get up, take on the next challenge.” Early successes like Iowa’s last year will be key to another historic season. “When we start putting those wins together, you start to see that confidence really come together,” Barnes said. “That’s what we’re looking for this year.”

One Last Round Maxwell Tjoa Enters His Final Season with Iowa Men’s Golf

As the school year begins, so does another season of Hawkeye golf. Looking back on a team that ended the season tied for 15th in the Big Ten Championships, the remaining returners look to improve upon that ﬁnish. ut for a certain returner, it may mean a little more than the rest. Back in high school, the Cedar Falls native led his team to four state tournament appearances and even took

home a championship in 2021. Maxwell Tjoa, the Hawkeyes’ lone fourth-year, was also awarded Iowa Golf Association Junior Player of the Year honors in 2022, making him no stranger to success. This upcoming season, though, Tjoa will step into an even bigger spotlight than in previous seasons. With a wealth of experience behind him, Tjoa enters the season with a resume that could make him a natural leader for the younger Hawkeyes. He posted a 72.2

Hawks stay on pace

With the offseason coming to a close, the teams will start the season on September 4 at home.

UK-native adapts to IC

After weeks of early-morning runs, countless miles, and workouts during the off-season, the Iowa men s and women s cross country teams are nearing the point where preparation gives way to competition. ith key returners such as senior uke nepp and unior yle Montgomery on the men s side, and the unior duo of lena Torres and illary Trainor on the women s side, the awkeyes enter the season with goals of personal bests and high finishes. ooking back on the season, Torres led the awkeyes at every regular-season and post-season meet, with her time of 1 . at the NCAA Midwest egional meet, marking her season s best in the race. Torres also secured two new top-1 times at Iowa in the and races and earned ig Ten Athlete of the eek. Trainor scored for the awkeyes every meet as well, following closely behind Torres. Another returner, sophomore lla Magallan, collected three ig Ten reshman of the eek Awards and scored multiple times for the awkeyes in her debut season. n the men s side, nepp led the awkeyes in three meets, moving into Iowa s all-time list with a time of 1 9. at the season opener. e also earned ig Ten Men s Cross Country Athlete of the eek honors. Montgomery scored in every meet except one, moving into seventh alltime at Iowa in the . Additionally, Iowa will be returning sophomore lias Arbuckle, who scored in every meet for the awkeyes in his debut season. ead Coach andy asenbank had nothing but good things to say about both the men s and women s s uads following the final race

of the season at the NCAA Midwest egional. I m very proud of the consistency these women displayed this season. very race, someone stepped up and helped carry the load, asenbank told awkeye ports. Additionally, this was the best meet of the year for the men s s uad. Today they executed the best race of the season, by far. I m happy for the guys, considering all the adversity over the past two months. The awkeyes wrapped up their season with two ma or meets the ig Ten Championships and the NCAA Midwest egional. At the ig Ten Championships, both teams finished 1 th in their respective races, while at the Midwest egional, the women finished 1 th and the men finished 1 th. This year, the women s s uad brings in two new faces to the team, freshmen Avery ump from ort Madison, Iowa, and Noella oss from Chaska, Minnesota. ump was a four-time state ualifier and three-time all-state honoree in cross country and a multi-time all-state, four-time state ualifier in

track and field. oss was a two-time state champion and current holder of the Minnesota all-time state record in the -meter dash. he was also her conference champion in cross country her senior year. The men s s uad brings in three freshmen, lader uckheister from Cedar apids, eed obbins from Indianola, Iowa, and Aaron arbro from itchburg, isconsin. uckheister is a two-time elite all-stater and holds two of his high school s records in the 1 -meter and -meter, all while earning aledictorian honors for his graduating class. obbins earned lite All- tate and irst Team A All- tate as a senior after leading Indianola to the A tate Championship team title, as well as lite All- tate and econd Team All- tate in track. arbro was selected irst Team All- tate in cross country after placing sixth at the state meet his senior year and second-team All- tate his unior year. ith five well-decorated freshmen oining the team, the awkeyes are gearing up for what they hope to be a promising year. Iowa will compete in four regular-season meets throughout eptember and ctober. Most notably, the awkeyes get a preview of the ig Ten Championships at the Nuttycombe Invite in Madison, isconsin, on ct. 9, while the regular season ends with a trip to Peoria, Illinois, for the radley Pink Classic on ct. 1 . Postseason competition starts with the ig Ten Championships followed by the NCAA Midwest egional in Ames. Iowa could have seven meets if athletes ualify for the NCAA Championships on Nov. 1 in Terre aute, Indiana. The awkeyes open their season with the annual awkeye Invitational at the Ashton Cross Country Course on riday, ept. . The first race is set to start at p.m.

Who will be Iowa football’s breakout player in 2026?

Sports editors Jonah Frey and Jackson Miller present arguments for Reece Vander Zee and Anthony Hawkins, respectively.

Throughout the oﬀseason, the bu surrounding Iowa s receiving room has centered on transfers Tony Dia and van James to electrify the oﬀense, and rightfully so. owever, one of Tim ester s brightest sparks has sported black and gold from the start, entering his third season as a awkeye. eece ander ee, the ock apids, Iowa, native, has proven that he can deliver in big-time moments with his -foot- frame and impressive hands, which is exactly why Iowa fans should expect big things out of the unior receiver this fall. Despite tallying ust 1 receptions, 19

yards and two touchdowns after missing the first four games of the season with an in ury, ander ee showcased ashes of greatness in his sophomore campaign. is highlights included a heavily contested one-handed grab at the one-yard line against Nebraska and a climb-theladder catch over the top of a Michigan tate defender to position Iowa for its game-winning field goal late in the fourth uarter. ith James and Dia both listed at -foot-1 , ander ee s height will provide whoever the awkeyes have under center with a bigger target, ideal for the deep ball and ump ball. ntering the season with hopes for his first full season as a awkeye, ander ee has both the frame and the talent to cement himself as a premier target for the Iowa offense. Don t be surprised if his production doubles or even triples this season compared to his previous two. e ll see if he can prove himself in the ept. matchup against Northern Illionois.

Anthony awkins transferred to Iowa from illanova, where he was a second-team C reshman All-American in . awkins might be under the radar at this point, but he s in a prime position to break out for the awkeyes in . Aside from awkins last name suiting himself perfectly for awkeye dominance, he has the makeup of a prototypical C safety that we see almost every year at schools like Alabama and eorgia. -foot, pounds, and sideline-to-sideline speed. The fact that Iowa landed a safety of awkins stature was impressive, and his C numbers were as well. awkins racked up 9 tackles, two

“

interceptions, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, and four tackles for loss in . is ability to play the run and rack up enough tackles to rank third on his team last season, paired with his ball-hawking ability, makes him an important weapon for the awkeye defense. At this point in camp, it s looking like ach utmer will mostly play free safety, with JM transfer Tyler rown slotted at strong safety. rown, however, has been sidelined with a soft tissue in ury throughout camp, giving awkins more chances to prove himself. ith utmer s ability to play the cash position as well, it also opens the door for Iowa to have awkins and rown at free and strong safety, respectively, while utmer roams the box and guards tight ends and slot receivers. The opportunity for awkins is there, and if he takes advantage of those chances and sees the ﬁeld at a high clip in , he could become one of the best defensive players for the awkeyes and have a breakout season.

scoring average during the 2025-26 season, highlighted by a 202 over 54 holes at the Puerto Rico Classic in February, the thirdbest 54-hole score in program history. The Hawkeye also recorded a career low, 65 (-6), at the Fighting Irish Classic last season, which tied for the season’s lowest round with his teammate, Ryan Shellberg. T oa isn t the first awkeye to enter the season as a lone senior. Gage Messingham held the same role last season, despite a career-ending in ury keeping him off the course. Messingham’s spring injury forced younger Hawkeyes to step up late in the year, attempting to replace a consistent low scorer. Shellberg, as well as junior Grant Gudgel, wasted no time making sure the Hawkeyes didn’t lose any momentum due to the loss of Messingham. hellberg capped off the spring season earning Division 1 PING All-Midwest Region honors, as well as capturing an individual title at the spring Hawkeye Invitational.

Gudgel opened the spring with a 9th-place finish at the Puerto ico Classic, then followed it by firing back-to-back rounds of 69 in the Hawkeye Invitational. This added pressure early on in their careers helped grow and prepare the young Hawkeyes to have their teammates’ backs and ourish in all types of settings, something that will come in handy for this upcoming season. However, these aren’t the only teammates that Tjoa can rely on, with Jack McCarty and Bennett Warren also returning for the upcoming season. The Hawkeyes will additionally welcome freshmen Andrew Johannsen, Joey Scott, and Cody Weaver onto the squad. T oa s final season will consist of much more than adding another low round to his resume. The Hawkeyes will be competing, growing, learning, and enjoying their final season with their lone senior, while preparing for continued success after he graduates. Iowa men’s golf has continued not only to set a high standard for those who follow them but also to leave a legacy. There’s no doubt that Tjoa will do the same.

Unfinished business for Mia Mack

The fourth-year hopes to leave a lasting impact on the Iowa program in 2026.

Iowa fourth-year women’s tennis player Mia Mack had a long journey before calling Iowa home. From Germany to the University of Miami, then to the University of San Diego, and finally the University of Iowa, Mack’s tennis journey has taken her all over the country. Once Mack got to Iowa, she immediately knew it was the right fit. “My time here has been different in a positive way. I truly enjoy my time at Iowa because of the people,” Mack said “It fits perfectly in every way possible, and I’m just very happy to be here.” Before joining the Hawkeyes, Mack had already acclimated to the U.S. through her years at Miami and San Diego, but some differences persisted. “Obviously, the food is a lot different, and the way people are. It’s a lot of small talk, but I figured out that is just their way of saying ‘Hi,’” Mack said. Mack came to Iowa with a very successful career under her belt, including two years with a 27-12 singles record at her previous two schools. After a highly successful regular season in 2025-26, in which she went 11-4 at No. 1 and 5-0 at No. 2, Mack was poised for a breakout performance at the Big Ten Championships. However, Mack’s junior season came to a sudden end. A right knee injury at Big Tens in 2026 kept her out of the postseason and has kept her sidelined for the offseason. After undergoing surgery in June, Mack is ready to pick up where she left off and end her career on a high note. “I’m trying to get back on the court as soon as possible,” Mack said. “It takes time. I’ve got to be patient.” While Mack is unable to be on the court practicing, that hasn’t stopped her from finding ways to improve. Whether it is going through rehab to heal her knee or creating a plan for ways to elevate her game, the grind hasn’t stopped.

“I hope to enjoy [the season] to the fullest,” Mack said. “Push through limits together with my teammates, and stick together no matter what.” Facing the No. 1 player at a Big Ten school is a battle every match. Every team has a top-level athlete who is competing week in and week out. Mack was battle-tested last year, and one of her season highlights was knocking off the 14th-ranked doubles team out of Duke with her partner Daianne Hayashida. “It’s just a lot of fun and very exciting to know that you have to really push through and fight when it gets hard,” Mack said. Mack is poised to take the jump to the next level as one of the top singles players in the Big Ten, and the ability to use the entire court will be one of her focuses this year. Mack will have a familiar face helping her and the rest of the team. Nikita Vishwase is joining the staff as an assistant coach. Vishwase is a former Iowa athlete and teammate of Mack’s. “I’m happy for her that she got the chance to prove herself and come back to a place she’s been playing at for a while and adding a lot to the program as well,” Mack said. Mack’s plans all hinge on her fully recovering and getting back into the swing of things. She hopes to continue to stay healthy and hopefully make starts on the tour. Closing out an athletic career can be different for everyone, but Mack is hopeful she had a positive impact not only on her teammates but also on the future of the program. “I think the most important thing to me is to show that on the court, I’m really proud to play for the team, and I would do anything it takes to get the win,” Mack said. “I just want to show my coaches and younger teammates coming in that it’s really important to be aware of the fact that you’re playing not only for yourself, but also for a program and a team.”

Classifieds

BIG DAY FOR LITTLE HAWKS

Iowa football hosted their annual Kids’ Day at Kinnick on August 15, with players signing autographs for fans and introducing the 2026 Kid Captains. Afterwards, open practice took place, allowing a first look for the public at the team for the upcoming season.

HOURS

Live from the IC Northside, it’s Saturday night!

The Northside Saturday Nights concert series aims to foster community

A concert series built by Iowa City for Iowa City Exploring how the Northside concert series brought the community together.

n a humid Saturday night in August, people gathered at the outdoor seating area on the corner of Linn and Market Streets to enjoy food, friends, and free music. From May to October on select Saturday nights, the space transforms into a concert venue for the Northside Saturday Nights concert series. While families and friends ate their dinners at the tables, children dashed around — the air punctuated by their oyful shrieks. eats were uickly ﬁlled, with the more experienced concert-goers

bringing lawn chairs. Passersby would stop to watch, and the space was filled with the sounds of community as patrons laughed, talked, ate, and listened to the band of the evening. On Aug. 15, the band of the evening was The Regular Joes, a family band with Dan Brown, daughters Muriel and Bridget, and their friends Joe and Coleen Peterson. Bridget Brown said the name originates from her and Muriel’s childhood nickname for Joe Peterson, calling him “Regular Joe,” so as not to confuse him with a firefighter named Joe they also knew. Longtime friends Dan Brown and Joe Peterson grew up in Iowa City, and Brown said he’s been playing music for roughly 50 years, starting at 18. While the two of

them have been in many bands throughout their lives, The Regular Joes started just a little over a year ago. “Joe, Coleen, and my dad, Dan, have all been in bands either together or on their own, me and Bridget’s whole lives,” Muriel Brown said. “So, just growing up around it [music] and them having the available schedules, it just kind of all fell together — I’ve always wanted to play music with them my whole life.” Bridget added that she had always wanted to play with Coleen Peterson, and when Joe Peterson oﬀered to play mandolin, the band was formed. Both sisters grew up attending the Friday Night Concert Series, currently held in the Pedestrian Mall, and were excited to

play in Northside. Having grown up in the Northside, Dan Brown had booked the gig. “It’s a little more subdued, a little less chaotic,” Brown said about the concert series. “I mean, great bands have been playing, and it’s a good chance for people to go and listen to a band, and really listen if they want to, because there isn’t that distraction. Like I said, it’s my favorite part of town, so this is a great treat.” With Joe Peterson on mandolin and Dan Brown on upright bass, the three women sang and played guitar in a three-part harmony. Dan Brown said that when he and Peterson were in a band called Big Wooden Radio, harmonies were very

Best backto-school films

These seven films are perfect for welcoming the new semester. Even though the summer warmth still lingers in the air, the time for both new and returning students to start filling up campus is already upon us. To help students get ready for the upcoming semester, these seven films are the best for welcoming the fall season and preparing to take on another batch of classes.

For many students entering college for the first time, encountering hundreds of new people in the first few weeks of the semester is common. With diverse interests, clothing, and personalities, John Hughes’ classic film “The Breakfast Club” reminds everyone that friendships can form in the most unlikely places. “The Breakfast Club” follows a group of five stereotypically different teenagers stuck in Saturday detention, who realize they may have more in common than they had initially thought.

Elle Woods, the main character of “Legally Blonde,” has one of the greatest academic success stories in cinema. In an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend, Woods changes the trajectory of her academic path from a fashion merchandising student in California to a Harvard law student, proving her worth as a lawyer while staying true to her roots and morals. As a character, Woods is the perfect study motivator and illustrates that, with the right amount of work and little glitter lip gloss, anything is possible.

After the second week of classes, the Iowa Hawkeyes football team takes the field for its first game of the season. In anticipation of this, one of the most influential

football movies, “Remember the Titans,” is the perfect watch. “Remember the Titans” follows a high school football team in Virginia, where the school is forced to integrate an all-Black school with an all-white one. This change teaches the football team an important lesson about overcoming prejudice and uniting for a common goal in an era when segregation was still prevalent across the U.S.

If you’re looking for a sad — or quite devastating — movie set in a school environment, “Dead Poets Society” is a tearjerking story about a group of teenage boys attending a prestigious boarding school. After years of rigid rules, the boys learn to express themselves with the help of their new English teacher, who uses poetry to evoke expressionism in the youth. The story focuses on the importance of passion and individuality, while promoting a strong message about mental health and not defining yourself by your grades or societal expectations.

Another classic John Hughes film, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is a comedy about one student, Ferris Bueller, who is determined to skip school and have the best day possible. Bringing along his best friend and girlfriend, the trio explores iconic Chicago sights and highlights the

importance of taking breaks from a stressful school or home environment. Not to promote excessive class cutting, but everyone deserves a break sometimes, and watching this film can provide a much-needed one for many students.

One of the most popular film franchises of all time, “Harry Potter” combines a magical wizarding school and an autumnal aesthetic to create an eight-film saga of high-stakes fantasy action and adventure as the main character battles his way through perilous trials. This series is perfect for either watching just one or having a weekend marathon. Plus, with each film beginning a new year of wizarding school for the cast, it’s great for welcoming in the upcoming semester.

“Real Genius” follows Mitch Taylor, the youngest student attending an esteemed science university known for only accepting geniuses. However, Taylor must learn to overcome burnout and peer pressure while uncovering the sinister truth behind their class’s high-powered laser-beam project. With the help of his eccentric roommate, Chris Knight, who’s more into partying and fun rather than studying, shenanigans ensue. If you’re looking for a fun watch with a unique cast of characters, “Real Genius” is a good place to start.

Live theater must-sees A list of theater events across campus and Iowa City to see this semester. Now that students are back on campus, the anticipation to find a show at Hancher Auditorium or The Englert Theatre has started all over again. With such a lengthy list of events during the semester, it can be overwhelming to find a show between classes. Here are some of the most anticipated plays and comedy performances coming to Iowa City this semester.

Rolling Stone top 50 comedian Tig Notaro comes to Iowa City early in the semester. With her deadpan comedic style, Notaro has filled her life with all the ways to fit comedy into art. Notaro is no stranger to Iowa City, and this visit marks her fourth time at the Englert. At the time being, however, the anticipated show is sold out, so be on the lookout for ticket resales.

If you know her, you love her. Bob The Drag Queen is on tour again. With a decorated list of accomplishments, seeing her live is an event you can’t miss if you love comedy or drag. Not too much more can be said about Bob — she’s the type of person who can truly only speak for herself. An 18+ audience is recommended.

For one night only, renowned drag queens Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Sapphira Cristál, and Drag King Landon Cider take the center of Englert’s stage to perform a campy parody of the Halloween Disney classic. With singing, acting, and maybe some audience interaction, the sought-after event is sure to get Iowa City into the spooky spirit. So while you can’t have a kiki with Sarah Jessica Parker herself, you certainly can with these queens on Washington Street.

Written by UI alum and playwright Mary Hamilton, “16 Winters, or the Bear’s Tale” takes inspiration from a monologue between Acts 3 and 4 of Shakespeare’s “A Winter’s Tale.” Hamilton takes this play through what she imagines the characters experience during the monologue, expanding on what the personified character of time already tells the audience. If you enjoy Shakespeare, or are just a fan of experimental craft, this is the play for you. Just like “A Government Inspector,” tickets are relatively cheap at $5 for UI students, with several showings and seating options available.

Adapted from the 1836 Russian comedy “A Government Inspector,” the play comes to Hancher in a version by playwright Jeffrey Hatcher. As a small town in Russia hears word that a disguised government inspector will be coming to their town, town leaders scramble to keep their corruption under wraps, no matter what. However, they practically fall over themselves in their stupidity, over and over again, in the process. The satirical commentary on greed and corruption will be put on by the University of Iowa itself, and with tickets at $5 for UI students, several showings and seats are still available before the lights dim and the curtains open.

If you’re looking for a unique way to spend your Saturday night, what’s better than going to see a puppet comedian live? Randy Feltface is a globe-traveling comedian coming from the land down under. In his comedy tour “GIMMICK!,” Randy embraces the fact that as a purple felt puppet, he is, unabashedly, a gimmick, no matter how much he has tried to deny it. As a one-night-only event, tickets will sell out fast. But do be wary if a mature-rated show isn’t the one for you.

If you’re a nursing student — or any kind of medical student — and also into comedy, this night might be the one for you. Nurse Blake brings his comedy tour to Iowa City as he goes over the wild and baffling moments someone who studies and works in healthcare may go through. As a beloved comic in the healthcare world, what’s a better way to de-stress before the dreaded finals come creeping up?

Across 1 Object of an extensive search 6 Regional life forms 11 Lead-in to destination and determination 14 Cry after an accident 15 Take over 16 Deli supply 17 With 60-Across, invitation to play 38Down 19 Seller’s bottom lines, for short? 20 Mister 21 Victorian or Edwardian 22 “Hmm, I’m thinking …” 24 Privy to 26 Qualiﬁed, say 28 Some STEM degrees 29 Ace, e.g. 31 Wild ___ 33 “You are correct about that” 34 Hawk’s hook 36 It doesn’t include the Apocrypha 38 Tall-eared cats from Devon or Cornwall 39 It’s a celebration

40 Toxin in castor beans 41 Surname that derives from the Sanskrit word for “lion” 42 Actor Eric of “Troy” 43 Get in bad with? 45 Raises the temperature of 49 Many a tech alum: Abbr. 50 Wood sculptor’s tool 52 Pop top? 53 Organic chemistry experiment? 56 ___ Maria, dark coffee liqueur 58 Exec overseeing A.I. integration 59 Annual video game competition, for short 60 See 17-Across 63 “___ Misérables” 64 Keep busy 65 Israeli politician Dayan 66 Some people doing residencies: Abbr. 67 They’re typical 68 Handful in a beer garden?

Down 1 Spread dirt 2 Corkscrew-shaped pasta 3 Orange-colored liqueur served in a namesake spritz 4 Means of making some connections, for short 5 Relative of a harp 6 Pet peeves 7 Estimation sufﬁx 8 Power source 9 “You are correct about that” 10 Calendar notation: Abbr. 11 Prize dangling from a 38-Down booth 12 Voluntold, say 13 More than necessary 18 Something you might put stock in, for short 23 Risqué game that teenagers might give a whirl? 25 Memory jogger 27 PC hookup 30 Cab 32 Digitize, maybe 35 Dunham who wrote the memoir “Famesick” 37 “I’m so frustrated!” 38 Carnival game depicted in this puzzle 39 Brief bathroom breaks, slangily 40 Trampled 41 Habitat with a wet ﬂoor 42 Eyeballed 44 Ice cream eponym 46 Play the blame game with 47 Chinese martial art 48 Not sung, say 51 More, musically 54 Abbr. atop a memo 55 Charlie’s Angels or the Chipmunks 57 Body parts linked in a square dance, maybe 61 “Tasty!” 62 Auction offering

important to them and were something they wanted to carry over with this band. As a songwriter, he said it was a new experience to write songs for female voices. “It’s gotten me a little bit befuddled because a lot of the rules that I followed as a songwriter, I can’t follow them anymore,” Brown said. “Things have to be in registers that ﬁt these guys voices. r in some way, as a songwriter, I feel like they have to relate to those three women in one way or another.” A notable example of the 3-part harmony between the women was in the 1956 song “Tonight You Belong to Me” by Prudence and Patience. The band’s repertoire spans from the 1920s to the 2020s, including “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega, originally released in 1987. Christopher Hunter, Iowa City Downtown District, or ICDD, Director of Marketing and Communications, said the concert series began about three years ago. For this year’s concert series, Hunter said the local businesses lining the outdoor area played an active role in setting it up and selecting the bands. Nick Craig, owner of Brix Cheese Shop & Wine Bar, has been one of the business

owners who have helped fundraise for the concert series since its inception. Craig also came up with the idea for the outdoor space, called Northside utside, seven years ago, in collaboration with a former ICDD board member. “It got people together, you know, which we really needed that community spirit,” he said. “And we gave people a place they knew where they could come and sit outside and support multiple businesses in the area.” Brian Johannesen, The Englert Theater’s executive artistic director, helps plan the concert series every summer. He said the planning process begins in January, and the Englert and downtown district talk with local businesses in the Northside regarding planning, layout, and even funding. A musician himself, Johannesen performed in the concert series on Aug. 8. Having been a musician for 15 years, he said being a performer in the series gave him a unique perspective as one of its programmers. “It was good for me to get that experience of what it’s like to play there and help with preparing artists for the show, picking artists for the show, but also, it’s super fun,” he said. “Tons of friends and family showed up. It’s that perfect mix of the existing community that I have, and

then expanding that community a little bit with new people.” Craig said Northside utside was a good spot to host performances. Having seen it grow over the past three summers, he said his favorite part was seeing the community that came out of the series. “There’s nights down here where the place is just packed,” he said. “You’ve got people from all walks of life kind of [feeling] on the streets — just seeing happy kids running around with their families and the smiling and joy that the space is able to provide for people.” As the concert progressed, the cicadas in the trees struck up their own tune, a light breeze cut through some of the humidity, and lights strung throughout the block ickered on, adding to the ambiance. Attendee Maddie irchfield came with her two-year-old son, Fox Kolsrud, and friend, auren chafer. irchfield said they always come to see the concerts. “We see everybody that we know here, but the music’s always good, and we love supporting the Northside businesses. This patio is just the perfect space to hang out and be outdoors and let him [Fox] run around while enjoying good food, good drinks,” she said. n the opposite side of the patio, married couple Gavin and Sarah Jones sat on a bench, en oying their first date since mov-

ing to Iowa City. As parents to four kids, they noted how kid-friendly the event was. Gavin Jones, a UI assistant professor in the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability, said the event fostered a sense of community, with people talking and hanging out. Sarah Jones added that the event was accessible to everyone. “Anyone of any socioeconomic status [can] come and enjoy and still be part of it even if they don’t want to spend money on food or anything,” she said. As parents, Gavin Jones said that they do not get much time to talk to each other. He enjoyed how casual the space was. “We’re having some nice time to just talk about random stuﬀ that we want to talk about,” he said. “And the music, we picked this bench because it’s just far away from the music, far enough away where we can hear the music [but] we’ll hear each other.” Johannesen hoped people would take away three things from the concert series. He said Iowa City was a magical place in the summer, and its businesses and people were a great representation of the city. “The homegrown talent we have here in Iowa, it’s really impressive and inspiring,” he said. “[I] hope that people ﬁnd some new bands that they love through the series and get to see some of their favorites.”