News

Steffen Schmidt of Iowa State University and Arnie Arnesen of New Hampshire's "Political Chowder" join IPR's Jonathan Ahl.

How can a neurological disability be thought of as a difference akin to race, ethnicity or sexual orientation? Do we really have an adequate understanding of autism, specially "classical" or "severe" autism? To what extent have non-autistic researchers misinterpreted what they have observed? Among the guests- Grinnell College English Professor Ralph Savarese, the author of "Reasonable People: A Memoir of Autism and Adoption".

Robert Waggoner, our lucid dreams expert, will take a deeper look at dream telepathy. He says some scientific experiments appear to confirm its existence, only to become entangled by conflicting results by other experimenters.

The Iowa legislature is poised to approve several driving-related bills, including a ban on texting while driving and a revamped graduated drivers' license system. On our weekly legislative show, Jeneane Beck talks with lawmakers about prospects for passage and health care professionals about why they're pushing for more restrictions.

For National Eating Disorders Awareness week, we'll talk to Jenni Schaefer, bestselling author of "Life Without Ed," "Ed" is short for eating disorders.

A new report indicating antidepressants are little more than placebos is adding to a long-brewing controversy over the drugs’ effectiveness. The safety of antidepressants rest on solid scientific evidence, but are we learning more about their ability to treat mental illness? Among the guests- University of Iowa Psychiatrist Dr. Robert Robinson and Psychologist Don Damsteegt.

IPR's Julie Englander speaks with members of the horticulture staff at Iowa State University. Spring is getting closer!

Imagine coming face to face with someone who burglarized your home, or even someone who killed a family member Could you do it, and if so, what would you say? We talk about restorative justice how it’s being used in Polk County and throughout the state. Later, a conversation focusing on rehabilitation how volunteers are creating writer’s workshops and choirs in prison.

IPR's Dennis Reese talks to Lisa Ossian of Des Moines, author of "The Home Fronts of Iowa, 1939-1945," published by the University of Missouri Press.

Auto recalls continue at a critical time in the automobile industry. What do Toyota recalls mean for Iowa car dealers and the U.S. automotive industry? What can other car manufacturers learn from Toyota's troubles? Ben Kieffer talks with Ken Chester of the Motor News Media and Barrett Thomas of the University of Iowa's Tippe College of Business.

Steffen Schmidt of Iowa State University and Arnie Arnesen of "Political Chowder" are back for our weekly look at all things political.

The film 'The Cove', which shows a secret dolphin-killing field in Japan, is a favorite to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary. Dubuque-native Louis Psihoyos who directed and starred in the film discusses the project. Also, photojournalist and author Chip Duncan, a native of Shenendoah, discusses his new book 'Enough to Go Around: Searching for Hope in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Dafur'.

We'll hear from University of Iowa graduate student Jennifer Percy. Her essay "Even in English, a Language Gap" was a "Modern Love Column" in a recent New York Times. Later, Jonathan Ahl speaks with Prof. Jeffrey Copeland of the University of Northern Iowa. His book, "Olivia's Story," deals with a landmark civil rights case that helped lead the way to fair and open housing.

Iowa’s Judicial branch faces a budget crunch and increasing demand for judicial services. How is Iowa’s court system handling tough economic times? What have furloughs meant for those seeking access to Iowa’s courts? Host Jeneane Beck talks with Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Jane Lorentzen, President of the Iowa State Bar Association.

We'll hear about some exciting news from two Iowa Cities and a look at spring events from Red Cedar Chamber Music of Marion, Iowa. Iowa City has hired its first director of "Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature," and Cedar Falls is in the running for first place as a "distinctive destination" for 2010 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Iowa native Pat O'Conner, author of "Woe is I, the Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English," takes your calls for the hour.

A conversation with University of Iowa Professors Tony Paik and Erika Lawrence. Paik's study found that married couples are less likely to experience jealous feelings, but when they do, it's more damaging to the relationship. Later in the hour, in memory of Iowa's former Poet Laureate, we listen back to an interview with Robert Dana.

Start planning now for spring projects with Bill McAnally of Iowa Central Community College in Ft. Dodge.

Camp Dodge has one of the last, operating, Liberty trucks in the country. One story linked to the rare vehicle details one of the Iowa National Guard’s most difficult missions, enforcing martial law. Note: The new Gold Star Museum is now open for visitors.