State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-16) talks about his role as lead negotiator for the state in keeping the Bears in Illinois, the latest on the talks, his diverse background and how it shapes his approach to key issues, the partisan divide in the nation and ideological divide in the Democratic party, actions taken by the legislature to address cost of living concerns, data centers and much more. Buckner, first elected in 2018, is a former aide to Sen, Dick Durbin and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landreiu, was governmental affairs advisor to the Chicago Cubs and is the lead budget negotiator in the Illinois House.

In this episode of Talking Art, host Ben Gougeon sits down with director Tristan Tapscott to discuss The Mockingbird’s upcoming production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman at Black Hawk College. With Ben taking the stage as Biff Loman, the two explore the process of bringing this American classic to life, Tristan’s background in theatre, and the ideas and relationships at the heart of the play. They also look ahead to The Mockingbird On Main’s new partnership with Black Hawk College and what it could mean for the future of theatre, education, and artistic opportunities in the Quad Cities. The production opens August 20 at the Black Hawk College Theatre.

If you’re a fan of Monty Python and a Harry Potter nerd (and I know you’re out there), you’ll want to hurry to The Black Box Theatre to take in the wacky and quirky Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, a 2015 original comedy by playwright Matt Cox directed by Kailey Ackerman. The play is a parody of the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling, but from the perspective of the "Puffs": that is, members of the Hogwarts house, Hufflepuff.

Governor’s approach to disaster relief gets election year criticism

According to IDOT, the locations are a frequent point of human trafficking.

The Democratic and Republican nominees for governor appeared separately at the same event this week.

Back in 1984, the final stretch of U.S. Route 66 in Arizona was bypassed by an interstate. The Mother Road officially became a ghost road the following year.

Two former extended-stay hotels in the Des Moines metro will be converted into affordable housing and essential services for people experiencing homelessness. The vacant hotels are located in West Des Moines and Urbandale.

The ACLU of Iowa has filed a federal lawsuit against the Iowa Department of Administrative Services claiming the state has repeatedly violated the Satanic Temple's constitutional rights by denying them permission to host holiday activities in the Iowa Capitol rotunda.

The Salix City Council was set to consider a one-year moratorium on data centers at its meeting on Wednesday. But death threats against city leaders caused the mayor to postpone the discussion due to safety concerns.

The annual Perseid meteor shower will put on its best and brightest display between Aug. 12 and 13 from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. The atmospheric conditions are near perfect, but the weather conditions are not.

U.S. Geological Survey researchers developed models to better understand the timing and sources contributing to nutrient pollution in streams and rivers. They say their findings can help guide efforts to improve water quality.

Fewer people are buying cotton thanks to the rise of synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester. Now, the U.S. cotton industry wants to boost demand for American-grown cotton with tax credits and marketing campaigns.

The plains spotted skunk is becoming harder to find in the central U.S. states it calls home. As federal officials consider the skunk for federal protections, researchers and environmentalists are hoping to learn more about the long understudied species.

Passing on the family farm to the next generation is typically an involved process, both financially and emotionally. A turbulent agricultural economy the past few years has made that transition even more difficult.