Local Editor, Cedar Falls
Patch Email: alison.gowans@patch.com
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Phone: 319-850-3474
I'm a born and raised resident of this town.
After graduating from Cedar Falls High School, I studied journalism and international studies at the University of Iowa and spent some time as a reporting intern at The Gazette in Cedar Rapids. After a brief stint in Minneapolis, I took off for the Peace Corps.
Two years as a community health education volunteer in Swaziland, a tiny country in Southern Africa, broadened my horizons and my perspective. But I missed home - the green summers, vibrant fall leaves and the promise of spring after a long winter. (Not so much the winter itself.)
I missed the people of this place, family and friends and neighbors. It was time to come home, and what better way to reintegrate into my community than through Patch? So here I am, wondering what the next few years will bring.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
Politics
The current acerbic political climate disheartens me. At this point I'm less concerned with parties and labels than with intent and ideas. If someone can convince me they have the country's best interests at heart and of the merit of their policies, they'll probably have my vote. I'm a registered Independent.
Religion
I believe in God. I'm still working out the details of what that belief entails and probably will be for the rest of my life.
It's March, which means it's the season of basketball, with Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and Ohio State in the Final Four. So we wondered: what is your choice for the best sports bar in Cedar Falls?
UNI faculty, Price Lab families, students and community members aren't sitting quietly as plans for major budget cuts move forward.
The following information provided by the police. It does not represent a conviction
This likely won't lead to the reopening of workforce development offices, however.
The bill was reported in some media as dead yesterday, but one representative from Cedar Falls isn't giving up.
St. Patrick's Day is traditionally a day for green beer and revelry. So, for our second official Readers' Choice contest, we're asked what your favorite bar in downtown Cedar Falls is.
The bill was reported in some media as dead yesterday, but one representative from Cedar Falls isn't giving up.
Last week UNI President Ben Allen and Provost Gloria Gibson recommended closing or restructuring over 70 academic programs, but the Board of Regents must approve the changes.
The bill, sponsored by Cedar Falls Rep. Walt Rogers, was reported in some media as dead yesterday, but Rogers says he's not giving up yet.
The bill, sponsored by Cedar Falls Rep. Walt Rogers, was reported in some media as dead yesterday, but Rogers says he's not giving up yet.
As the UNI community contemplates downsized physics and other science departments, a bill approved by the Iowa House of Representatives would allow people with no education training to teach science and math.
Gyms that focus on intensive workout sessions are growing in popularity in Cedar Falls.
DISPATCH: Iowa's funding for higher education has been shrinking for the past 12 years, a trend mirrored across the country.
DISPATCH: Iowa's funding for higher education has been shrinking for the past 12 years, a trend mirrored across the country. Could cuts at the University of Iowa be next if nothing changes?
Iowa's funding for higher education has been shrinking for the past 12 years, a trend mirrored across the country. Should Waukee parents be concerned?
DISPATCH: Iowa's funding for higher education has been shrinking for the past 12 years, a trend mirrored across the country. Tuition has increased more than 75 percent at Iowa's public universities since 1990.
As Urbandale seniors prepare for graduation, college will be a costlier experience in part because Iowa back away from previous subsidy levels.
DISPATCH: Iowa's funding for higher education has been shrinking for the past 12 years, a trend mirrored across the country.
DISPATCH: Iowa's funding for higher education has been shrinking for the past 12 years, a trend mirrored across the country.
Cedar Falls Patch welcomes letters to the editor. Email them to alison.gowans@patch.com with "Letter to the Editor" in the subject line.
