Dana Boone

Black residents voice concerns about ‘police intimidation’ in Des Moines

“I still think we’re heading to a crisis,” said State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, (D-Des Moines). “What we’re seeing now are just signs. And we’re watching it escalate each time something happens… down the road it’s going to hit a brick wall.”

Des Moines sportscaster’s ‘eggroll’ remark sparks concern

Liat Paul couldn’t believe her ears. On Aug. 10 as she watched a WHO-TV Sunday evening broadcast on Channel 13, sports reporter Chris Hassel recapped the 2008 Summer Olympics being held in Beijing by referring to the Chinese men’s basketball team as the U.S.’s first “eggroll on their plate.”

Iowa’s black religious leaders unite against youth violence

“Almost every other week you hear about some shooting that happened,” said Abraham Funchess, division administrator for the Iowa Commission on the Status of African-Americans.

Task force studies Iowa’s juvenile detention centers

Officials from the Iowa Juvenile Detention Association painted a rosy picture of Iowa’s 11 juvenile detention centers for members of Gov. Chet Culver’s Youth Race and Detention Task Force.

Civil Rights Commission to review past decisions, set goals for the future today

Months before the next Iowa legislative session begins, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission is gearing up to set its priorities for 2009.

Mentoring program helps children of inmates cope

More than 400 Des Moines-area children who have a parent in an Iowa prison could benefit from a national mentoring program that is looking for social service agencies across the state to host the program.

Smoking Ban Raises Questions for Casinos

Even though gaming floors are exempt from Iowa’s statewide somking ban, the new law still poses challenges for the state’s 17 licensed casinos, said officials during the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meeting.

Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to Discuss New State Laws

New laws governing smoking and jackpots at Iowa casinos will be discussed at this week’s Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meeting.

Tribute Honors 60th Anniversary of Iowa Civil Rights Icon

Edna Griffin, known as the “Rosa Parks of  Iowa,” will be honored Monday at the Fort Des Moines Museum in Des Moines.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Griffin’s legendary battle against Katz Drug Store, which had refused Griffin and other African-Americans service because of their skin color.

The museum, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the [...]

COMMENTARY: The Demise of the Smokers’ Entrance

Not one person stood at the usually booming smokers’ entrance.

As employees entered the south entrance of a busy West Des Moines office building on Tuesday, the familiar smell of cigarette smoke was gone.

So were the chatty smokers who usually gathered there daily for breaks and lunch outside the building entrance that was affectionately known by [...]