Violation of Johnson County mask mandate to be punishable by simple misdemeanor
Caleb McCullough, Summer Editor
August 5, 2020
Johnson County’s mask mandate is set to become enforceable and will be punishable by a simple misdemeanor. Johnson County’s Board of Supervisors signaled in a work session Wednesday that they would vote to pass the Board of Health’s updated resolution that makes the mandate enforceable. ...
Johnson County Board of Supervisors repeals gun ban in public buildings
Caleb McCullough, Summer Editor
July 23, 2020
Guns are allowed in county buildings in Johnson County for the first time in nine years. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors reluctantly rolled back a 2011 policy prohibiting firearms in public buildings in order to comply with state law on Thursday. The state legislature in June passed House File 25...
Iowa one of few states sharing drivers license data with U.S. Census Bureau
Mary Hartel, News Reporter
July 21, 2020
Iowa is one of four states currently in an agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau to share driver’s license and identification information. While the Iowa Department of Transportation said the data will be used for statistical purposes only, advocacy groups throughout the state said the agreement could d...
Tighter state laws means more uniformity amongst local restrictions on firearms in Iowa
Mary Hartel, News Reporter
July 15, 2020
Iowa City and neighboring cities now have more uniformity when it comes to where residents can carry guns, but some leaders are still wary of weapons being allowed in public buildings. The Iowa City Council reluctantly rescinded a 2011 resolution that prohibited firearms in public buildings and buses to com...
Supervisors to form committee to change namesake of Johnson County
Rylee Wilson, News Editor
July 8, 2020
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors will create a committee to find a new namesake for Johnson County, which is currently named after Vice President and slaveholder Richard Mentor Johnson. As previously reported by The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa Special Collections archivist David McCa...
Iowa City City Council lifts gun ban for public buildings, buses
Rachel Schilke and Riley Davis
July 8, 2020
The Iowa City City Council approved 5-2 to rescind a resolution that prohibited weapons inside public buildings and transportation in order to comply with Iowa law, despite citing danger to the community and concern over open carry. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 2502, an amendment that prohi...
Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague against allowing Iowa Freedom Rider representatives a seat in City Council meetings
Caleb McCullough and Rylee Wilson
July 8, 2020
Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague said he’s hesitant to allow the Iowa Freedom Riders (IFR) to sit in on City Council discussions of their demands, saying they shouldn’t be the only voice for the Black community in Iowa City. The IFR, a group leading protests in Iowa City that pushed for the c...
Iowa City parking permit and agreement holders to receive refund credit
Riley Davis and Rachel Schilke
July 7, 2020
Parking pass holders and those with parking agreements for spaces in downtown Iowa City will receive a refund credit from the city for the 56-day period from March 23 to May 18 that hourly parking fees were suspended to the public amid the downtown’s pandemic-related closure. Iowa City Trans...
Community members call for change to the namesake of Johnson County amid anti-racism movement
Mary Hartel, News Reporter
July 2, 2020
Iowa City community members are urging Johnson County residents and local leaders to reconsider the namesake of Johnson County. Currently named for former U.S. Vice President and slave owner Richard Mentor Johnson, the county was established in his name in 1837. The initiative to change the J...
Johnson County residents urge Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to require face coverings
Lillian Poulsen, News Reporter
July 2, 2020
Amid a recent spike in coronavirus cases in Johnson County, community members and local officials are calling upon Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to require people to wear face coverings in public. The number of cases in Johnson County has reached new highs, especially among college-aged people. As of Thursda...
Community Police Review Board under review, local demands for more power
Rachel Schilke, News Reporter
June 15, 2020
The Iowa City Community Police Review Board is facing scrutiny after demands for addressing injustice and misconduct in the Iowa City Police Department included revising the board’s role to have more power in investigating and holding local officers accountable. The Iowa Freedom Riders, a gro...
Iowa City’s oldest known residence to relocate
Rachel Schilke, News Reporter
June 15, 2020
Pending approval by the Iowa City City Council Tuesday night, the University of Iowa will spend about $1.23 million relocating and rehabilitating the Sanxay-Gilmore House, Iowa City’s oldest known residence, from its current location on Market Street to a nearby parking lot. The Iowa City City ...