Focus
Focus is a weekly, half hour public affairs program covering a wide range of topics, addressing issues in the greater Des Moines area and the entire state of Iowa, hosted by WHO Radio's Sue Danielson.
Episodes
September 13, 2024 • 28 mins
Adult Literacy Center in Des Moines is serving hundreds each year. Ann Murr says they need volunteers//
Des Moines WaterWorks is replacing lead service lines//
Skate DSM hosting large skating competition//
Iowa DNR planning annual Volunteer Day at State Parks//
Three elk are currently in Iowa//
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September 5, 2024 • 28 mins
Central Iowa food pantries are seeing rising demand. Blake Willadsen, DMARC Food pantry system & others explain.//
Linda Gorka, Iowa Food Bank Association//
Michelle Book, Food Bank of Iowa//
Katie Sorrell, ISU Extension Master Gardeners donating food to pantries//
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August 29, 2024 • 28 mins
Iowa struggling with OB Department closures. Dr. Jeff Quinlan, U of IA Carver College of Medicine & others explain & offer solutions.//
Stacy Peterson, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames, Maternal, Child Services.//
Dr. Michael Maharry, Rural Scholars, matching new doctors with rural hospitals.//
UNI offering new nursing program with OB training.//
Des Moines first responders see promising outcomes after implementing new po...
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August 23, 2024 • 28 mins
Central Iowa schools are restricting cell phones during classes. Rob Randazzo at Des Moines Hoover explains. Bergman Academy in Des Moines is also adjusting their policies. Sidney Gerritsen & Katie Ewing explain.
Iowa's teacher shortage is inspiring a path for para educators to become fully licensed teachers. Colleen Mulholland, Dean of University of Northern Iowa College of Education
Safe Kids-Des Moines has back-to-s...
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August 14, 2024 • 28 mins
Demand is rising for services in Iowa's Aging and Disability Office. Director Zach Rhein explains how Iowans are connecting with those services//
Karen Swanson, DMACC, pilot program enables Des Moines high school students to earn college credit while in high school. Wendy Mihm Herald, of Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates (IJAG)//.
Katy Sowden, Safe Kids-Des Moines, hot car danger//
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July 30, 2024 • 28 mins
Kara Warme, Youth Emergency Shelter, receives federal funds//
Zach Bader, Iowa Farm Bureau, consumer food choice survey results//
Tamyra Harrison, Salvation Army-Des Moines, natural disaster help//
Troy Kleese, Certified Athletic Trainer, Unity Point Health-Des Moines, exercising in hot, humid weather//
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July 24, 2024 • 27 mins
Des Moines City Council considers ordinance banning sleeping in public spaces. Mayor Connie Boeson conducts public hearing, those for and against speak out.
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July 18, 2024 • 26 mins
Thousands of Iowans, displaced by tornadoes & floods begin recovery. John Mills of FEMA has latest numbers. //
Ryan Smith, ISU Plant Pathology, Entomology, Microbiology, rain & floods causing large mosquito populations.//
Alissa McKinney, Above + Beyond Cancer, parachuting fundraiser.//
Noreen Otto, Iowa Brewer's Guild. Iowa beer has become a billion dollar business.//
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July 12, 2024 • 26 mins
Web traffic has been rising on the Iowa People's Law Library website. State Librarian Michael Scott explains.
Susan Pritchett, Drake University Legal Clinic & Refugee Services.
Molly Moeller, Des Moines University Admissions.
Molly Rupert, City of Des Moines, Parks and Recreation launches "Bucket List" promotion.
DMPD Sergeant Paul Parezik: A happy ending to a bad week for one Des Moines teen.
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July 2, 2024 • 26 mins
Central Iowa agencies are working to serve youth with numerous challenges, including homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health issues. Kara Warme of (Youth & Shelter Services) YSS and Brandi Broadhead, Orchard Place.
Wes Lefferts, Iowa State University Department of Kinesiology, how exercise impacts brain blood flow.
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June 20, 2024 • 26 mins
A central Iowa non-profit is training puppies to become therapy dogs for first responders and victims of traumatic events. Rebecca Smith of Crisis Canines says the dogs help lower stress.
Peter Wagner, publisher of small newspapers in Iowa. Are newspapers dying?
Justin Glison, State Climatologist, has a hot weather outlook.
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June 11, 2024 • 26 mins
Summer tourism pumps billions of dollars into the Iowa economy. On this edition of Focus: a deep dive into the economics of travel with Jessica O'Riley, Iowa tourism office, Julie Tack, Iowa DNR State Parks, and John Pausley, Arnold's Park, Okoboji.
Brian Ortner, AAA-Iowa & Ernie Goss, Economics Professor, Creighton University discuss the economics of travel this summer.
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June 7, 2024 • 26 mins
Iowa is near bottom of states in terms of obstetricians per capita. Dr. Jeff Quinlan, Professor, Chair University of Iowa Department of Family Medicine and Stacey Peterson, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames discuss the consequences.
Dr. Michael Maharry, University of Iowa Rural Scholars Program explains how to connect new doctors with rural hospitals.
Captain Tony Sposeto, Des Moines Fire/EMT Department highlights significant ...
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June 7, 2024 • 27 mins
Iowa food banks & pantries are reporting rising demand. Linda Gorkow, Iowa Food Bank Association, Michelle Book, Food Bank of Iowa,
Blake Willadsen, Des Moines Area Religious Council pantry, and Patty Yoder, Food at First pantry in Ames explain.
Katie Sorell, Iowa State University Extension's Master Gardener program shares how gardeners are addressing food insecurity.
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June 7, 2024 • 26 mins
Iowa ranks near the bottom of states in obstetricians per capital. Dr. Jeff Quinlan, Professor, Chair University of Iowa Department of Family Medicine and Stacey Peterson, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames describe the consequences of rural hospitals cutting OB departments.
Dr. Michael Maharry, University of Iowa Rural Scholars Program, describes efforts to place new doctors in rural Iowa
Tony Sposeto, Des Moines Fire Depart...
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June 5, 2024 • 27 mins
Demand at Iowa food banks and pantries has been rising. Linda Gorkow, Iowa Food Bank Association, Michelle Book, Food Bank of Iowa,
Blake Willadsen, Des Moines Area Religious Council pantry, and Patty Yoder, Food at First pantry in Ames explain the trends.
Katie Sorell, of Iowa State University Extension's Master Gardener's explains effort to get fresh produce to pantries.
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May 24, 2024 • 26 mins
Iowa is hit by devastating severe weather this week. This program includes various interviews, information, and statements related to the deadly tornadoes, Tuesday, May 21st.
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May 14, 2024 • 27 mins
Diane Ford, Des Moines area book club inspired to plant a mini-forest in West Des Moines to benefit environment//
Kim Perez, Des Moines Botanical Garden, Earth Day folo//
Ginny Mitchell, Iowa State University Extension Entomology, ants & mosquitoes//
Aaron Stiles, Iowa State University Extension Horticulture, gardening//
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May 9, 2024 • 26 mins
Polk County Housing Trust Fund, Toby O'Berry, affordable housing shortage in Des Moines area//
Lance Henning, Habitat for Humanity, 2024 plans & fundraising update//
Josh Laraby, City of Johnston, major Gateway projects advancing//
Tim Waddell, Des Moines Heritage Trust, endangered Polk County properties //
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May 1, 2024 • 26 mins
A.J. Mumm, Polk County Emergency Management, tornado response//
Josh Murray, American Red Cross, tornado response//
Geoff Greenwood, MidAmerican Energy, storm response and recovery//
Emma Hanigan, Iowa DNR Urban Forester, tree damage beyond the tornado path//
Iowa State University tornado simulator//
Tamyra Harrison, Salvation Army, disaster response//
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