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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Leon Spies, a criminal defense attorney in Iowa City, poses for a portrait in his office. Spies attended the University of Iowa for both his undergraduate degree and for law school. His firm was originally called Mellon & Spies, but is now called Spies & Pavelich law firm. Spies will be covering the upcoming trial Roy Browning, who's accused of murdering his wife, UI employee JoEllen Browning.

‘Loving a challenge:’ Leon Spies lives life on the edge of the seat of the courtroom as Iowa City criminal defense attorney

Alexandra Skores, Managing Editor December 15, 2020

Never afraid to face any obstacle, Iowa City Attorney Leon Spies has lived a storied career on the edge of his courtroom seat as a criminal defense attorney. “I have that reputation for loving...

David Conway, a registered nurse in the emergency department at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, receives the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the hospital from registered nurse Rachel Lewis, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, on the 12th floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.

‘Grateful:’ University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics employees receive first doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Lillian Poulsen, News Reporter December 14, 2020

Health care workers, long on the front lines facing COVID-19, are now the first in line to receive the first doses of the vaccine to prevent the disease. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics...

Q&A | President Harreld talks presidential search, DEI initiatives, and the spring semester

Q&A | President Harreld talks presidential search, DEI initiatives, and the spring semester

DI staff December 13, 2020

The Daily Iowan: So where are you Zooming from here today? President J. Bruce Harreld: I’m in Colorado right now.  DI: I know at the beginning of the semester, some people on social media...

University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld talks with members of the Daily Iowan during an interview at the Adler Journalism Building on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2019. President Harreld has been the president at the university since November 2, 2015.

UI president Bruce Harreld recommends next head diversity officer report to president

Sabine Martin, News Reporter December 13, 2020

University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld said he recommends that the next associate vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion selected should report to the president, but that  Harreld’s...

Dec. 12, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (6) does a backflip into the end zone to score a touchdown during the third quarter of the Iowa v. Wisconsin football game at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa defeated Wisconsin with a score of 28-7.

Hawkeye offense sticks the landing in second half, runs away from Badgers

Robert Read, Pregame Editor December 12, 2020

The first half of Iowa’s battle for the Heartland Trophy with Wisconsin on Saturday featured 13 combined punts, six combined points, and two offenses that were no match for the opposing team’s...

Dec. 12, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa kicker Keith Duncan kicks a field goal at the end of the second quarter of the Iowa v. Wisconsin football game at Kinnick Stadium. . Iowa leads Wisconsin with a score of 6-0 at halftime. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale/Daily Iowan via USA TODAY Network

Iowa defeats Wisconsin for first time since 2015, extends winning streak to six games

Robert Read, Pregame Editor December 12, 2020

The No. 16 Iowa football team defeated Wisconsin 28-7 at Kinnick Stadium to finish the regular season 6-2. The Hawkeyes have won six games in a row on the season, and defeated the Badgers for the...

Iowa Defensive Tackle Daviyon Nixon raises his fist as the Hawkeyes take to their home field for the first time in the season during the Iowa v Northwestern football game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020.  The Wildcats defeated the Hawkeyes 21-20.

Live updates and analysis: Iowa football team closes regular season against Wisconsin

Robert Read, Pregame Editor December 12, 2020

The No. 16 Iowa football team (5-2) is on a five-game winning streak heading into its matchup with Wisconsin (2-2) to close the regular season. The two teams are battling for the Heartland Trophy,...

Iowa forward Jack Nunge defends during a men’s basketball game between Iowa and Iowa State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cyclones, 105-77.

Iowa men’s hoops wins third straight in Cy-Hawk series for first time in three decades

Robert Read, Pregame Editor December 11, 2020

Last season, Jordan Bohannon thanked Iowa State for the “Memz” after Iowa won at Hilton Coliseum. Lately, the memories haven’t been very good for the Cyclones in the men’s basketball edition...

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson carries the ball during a football game between Iowa and Nebraska at Kinnick Stadium on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cornhuskers, 26-20.

Goodson, Sargent bring lightning, thunder to Hawkeye backfield

Chris Werner, Sports Reporter December 10, 2020

It’s a relationship of balance. Tyler Goodson and Mekhi Sargent are a productive running back combination for Iowa again this season. Goodson is the shifty speed back, Sargent provides the...

A Global Health Major, Amani Ali, is seen on the Pentacrest at the University of Iowa on Dec. 9, 2020, the day before Human Rights Day. Amani, as well as many others, recognize that there is a lot of work to be done for the advancement of human rights, as seen during the pandemic with problems like the human right to health care.

‘We are not there yet:’ pandemic brings new focus to Human Rights Day

Mary Hartel, News Reporter December 9, 2020

For this year’s Human Rights Day, Iowa activists said they want to focus on health as a human right as the pandemic brings disparities in health care access to light. Dec. 10 marks the 72nd anniversary...

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) Liz Highland twists the lid on a sippy cup at her home on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Highland works two twelve-hour shifts at the ILI Clinic per week and helps with telemedicine and administrative tasks throughout the week, adding up to 45 hours in a regular work week. On nights when she arrives home after her husband Corey and 18-month-old daughter Loah have gone to bed, Highland usually takes a shower, eats dinner, and does dishes, laundry, or other household tasks in a quiet house before bed. “It’s kind of sad to me, but [Corey] is a student also, so a lot of times even when I do come home we don’t have a lot of time to sit and chit-chat ‘cause he’s doing homework or like today he got up at 4:30, he’s got to get up at 4:30 again.” Highland said, adding that it works for childcare but she and her husband never see each other.

From the COVID-19 unit: what Iowa health care workers want you to know

Lillian Poulsen, News Reporter December 8, 2020

Kirstin Brainard called a patient’s loved ones to deliver the news that no one wants to hear. A medical intensive-care unit nurse at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for a decade, Brainard...

Trisha Smith (left,) and Katie Knight of United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties pose for a portrait outside of their Coralville office on Friday, March 29, 2019. The Johnson and Washington County United Way office, which is turning 100 this year, is planning a series of events aimed at garnering donations and spreading awareness for what the organization does.

Adopt-a-Family Holiday program referrals increase, families asking for household items

Claire Benson, News Reporter December 7, 2020

The United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties Adopt-a-Family Holiday program is seeing an unprecedented number of referred families, with many suffering from financial loss because of COVID-19...