Annie Smith Barkalow's stories

A rendering of nonprofit Great Plains Action Society's urban Indigenous-led resilience and innovation hub, which is flanked to the east and west by Gilbert Court and Maiden Lane and to the south by East Benton Street in Iowa City. The proposed project spans approximately one acre.

Indigenous-led nonprofit seeks to create ‘resilience and innovation hub’ in Iowa City

An Indigenous-led nonprofit organization focused on environmental and social justice issues, as well as the reclamation and restoration of land, is seeking to purchase an acre of real estate just south of downtown Iowa City. Great Plains Action Society, a…

Johnson County Board of Supervisors hears proposal for immigrant welcome center

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors heard a proposal for an immigrant welcome center on…

Audience members and presenters of the proposed immigrant welcome center pose with the Johnson County Board of Supervisors June 4, 2025.

St. Ambrose, Mount Mercy University complete first step in historic merger

St. Ambrose University has officially become the “parent company” of Mount Mercy University, 10 months…

St. Ambrose president Amy Novak and Mount Mercy president Todd Olson sign a "strategic combination" agreement on Thursday, Aug. 1. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Bettendorf company purchases former Pearson offices in Iowa City

A Bettendorf-based commercial real estate development company has purchased the former Pearson offices in Iowa…

Aerial view of the former Pearson campus at 2510 N. Dodge St. in Iowa City.

Coralville City Council rejects bids for Youth Sports Park expansion project

The Coralville City Council voted unanimously to reject all submitted bids for phase three of…

Sign at the entrance to Coralville's Youth Sports Park, 2480 Dempster Drive.

Coralville City Council considers multiple housing developments at meeting May 27

At its meeting May 27, the Coralville City Council passed a first consideration to rezone…

Coralville Mayor Meghann Foster (left) and council member Hai Huynh pictured May 13, 2025.

Maintenance of Macbride Nature Recreation Area will cost UI $14.8 million, according to report

For the past 60-plus years, the University of Iowa has leased the Macbride Nature Recreation…

A sign marks the entrance to Macbride Recreation Nature Area, located in the Solon area.

Iowa City Downtown District plans to expand SSMID borders

The Iowa City Downtown District is looking to expand its Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID)…

The new ICDD SSMID boundaries would extend north and south, encompassing UI Health Care's Downtown Campus on Market Street.

SAILing into the future: chatbot helps small municipalities navigate resident requests

Chatbots are rapidly reshaping the way we communicate with businesses, blending AI and instant messaging…

Braden Smith is the co-creator of SAIL Assistant, a chatbot designed to assist small cities with resident requests.

Coralville OKs 10-Year tax rebate to support Iowa River Power historic building renovation

The Coralville city council has approved a tax increment rebate to aid in the historic…

The Iowa River Power building, 501 First Ave. in Coralville, pictured Oct. 30. The building was bough last month by Old Gold, LLC, a company with an Illinois address. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Iowa City chooses developer for vacant downtown lot

Three months after hearing development proposals for 21 S. Linn St., Iowa City has made…

A rendering of Grand Rail Development's proposed structure.

Iowa City advances rezoning for future multifamily complex

Note: The reporter of this article has no relation to Tracy Barkalow, who is mentioned…

A rendering of Goosetown Apartments, two multifamily residential complexes housing 42 units each proposed for 911 Governor St. in Iowa City.

Marion celebrates completion of Central Plaza with ribbon cutting

Ominous thunderheads bearing the threat of rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd gathered…

Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly (center) cuts the ribbon signifying the completion of Marion's Central Plaza project on Wednesday, May 7.

FilmScene loses National Endowment for the Arts grant

Just three days after receiving the Governor’s Arts Award at the State Capitol, Iowa City-based…

Iowa City, Iowa - FilmScene, a non-profit cinema featuring independent and tought provoking films and events located at the Chauncey Building on January 2, 2020.

Mental Health First Aid helps make mental health a workplace priority

Megan Hammes says prevention is key when it comes to health and wellness — and…

Megan Hammes of Hammes Homestead and Consulting leads a Mental Health First Aid training course. CREDIT MEGAN HAMMES

Big Ten mutual defense compact? Not for University of Iowa

Citing threats to “the autonomy of university governance, the integrity of scientific research, and the…

University of Iowa