The Daily Iowan WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024
INSIDE
THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA COMMUNITY SINCE 1868
DAILYIOWAN.COM
The TRC’s tumultuous four years The Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Iowa City was tasked with addressing systemic racism and started in 2020.
First transgender legislator’s path to Iowa House Aime Wichtendahl made Iowa history on election night when she became the state’s first openly transgender legislator. NEWS | 5A
Rising number of animals puts pressure on JoCo shelters Shelters and rescues around Johnson County have seen an increase in stray or surrendered animals. This increase creates a need for more resources, space, and adoptions. NEWS | 7A
O’Grady stepping up for the team Her playing time and role on the floor once fluctuating, Iowa women’s basketball center Addison O’Grady has been a strong surprise this season. The voice she’s crafted now includes a career-high 27 points against Drake in November. SPORTS | 1B
Emma Jane News Reporter
news@dailyiowan.com
After four years of controversy and limited progress, Iowa City’s Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission, or TRC, is nearing the end of its mandate, embodying the broader challenges of addressing systemic racism at the local level. Created in response to national protests after George Floyd’s murder in 2020, the TRC was tasked with a bold mission: to gather stories of racial injustice, recommend policy reforms, and foster healing in the community. As the commission prepares to submit its final report, questions remain about its impact and the future of racial equity efforts in Iowa City. At the commission’s Dec. 5 meeting, Chairperson Chastity Dillard said the group intends to ask the Iowa City City Council for a Dillard six-month extension for the commission to finish writing its final report. The Iowa City City Council addressed the TRC’s request at the Dec. 10 meeting. “If we do not get this extension, we will not have the reports that we feel confident about, but we will make do,” Dillard said. Commissioner Amos O Kiche said he is hopeful the city council will grant the extension, as the TRC did not ask for additional funding. “We are the ones who are volunteering to give over time and resources,” O Kiche said. “They help us with the building and the facility, so the fiscal impact is very little.” The TRC was created by a resolution in 2020 from the city council, which stated that the TRC would submit a final report to the city council, including a summary of its work, stories of community members, and recommendations for the city council for policy reforms to address systemic racism.
Hannah Neuville | The Daily Iowan
Commissioner Louis Tassinary listens to Commissioner Amos O Kiche speak during a on Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission meeting at city hall in downtown Iowa City on Nov. 21. The commission’s four-year term is set to conclude Dec. 31, however, they requested that the city council extend the date to no later than June 30, 2025. “This is pioneering, where we’ve been trying to pave a new way, blindly at times,” Dillard said. “That takes a lot of work, trying to form or reach the goals that we are hoping for.” At the December meeting, the TRC discussed ways to permanently integrate their goal of addressing systemic racism into the city’s infrastructure to create preventative, rather than reactive, measures for combating systemic racism. Commissioner Louis Tassinary emphasized the importance of this in light of recent restructuring of the University of Iowa’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion departments. “That’s what’s so important to me about something coming out of this that becomes routine,” Tassinary said. “Because when it’s something special, it’s always the first thing that can be axed.” This emphasis on creating lasting change highlights the
challenges the TRC has faced since its inception, including internal conflicts that surfaced early in its history. One of the first controversies surrounding Iowa City’s Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission arose when former chair Royceann Porter Porter resigned ahead of a no-confidence vote scheduled after commissioners accused her of fostering a culture of bullying and intimidation. At the time, Porter was also a Johnson County Supervisor. She was recently unseated by Mandi Remington in the latest election. Following Porter’s March 8, 2021, resignation, vice-chair T’ShaHarrington ilyn Harrington
and Commissioner Tony Currin also resigned in solidarity. In his resignation letter, Currin called on the city council to Currin pause the TRC “to refit it with tools for oversight and better self-governance.” Later that month, the Iowa City City Council voted 5-2 to suspend the TRC for a month following nearly two hours of public comment, the majority of which opposed a suspension. When the TRC resumed in April 2021, commissioner Mohamed Traore was elected chair, and he appointed commissioner Amel Ali vicechair. The second Traore wave of TRC lead-
TRC | 2A
Fall Brawl showcases Iowa Boxing Club talent Sanctioned by USA Boxing, the annual Fall Brawl event brought competitive boxing to the Iowa Memorial Union Ballroom. Emma Jane News Reporter
The importance of self-care for students Self-care has become an integral part of today’s culture. Iowa City professionals and UI professors weigh in on how it can be approached during finals week. ARTS | 1C
ONLINE • Listen to the latest episodes of The Daily Iowan’s two podcasts, Above the Fold and Press Box Banter, where reporters cover the latest news and talk sports at dailyiowan.com. • The Iowa City Community
School District discussed a district-wide cellphone ban at its board of directors meeting. The discussion follows state trends to ban cellphones. Check out our latest coverage of cellphone bans at dailyiowan.com.
• Johnson County and Iowa City are exploring the potential of a joint law enforcement facility. The conversation is in its early stages, but leaders are optimistic about what efforts could look like. Check out our latest coverage of the partnership at dailyiowan.com.
news@dailyiowan.com
Gloves were up, and adrenaline was high at the Iowa Memorial Union on Saturday night as the University of Iowa Boxing Club hosted its fifth annual Fall Brawl event, drawing a crowd eager for a night of grit and glory in the ring. For Michael Conefrey, a fourth-year political science major and vice president of the Iowa Boxing Club, the Fall Brawl is a familiar stage. “It’s my fourth time fighting at the show. I know what to expect. So just letting the young guns know what to expect as well,” Conefrey said before the event. “It’s my favorite fight we do, so I’m amped but calm.” Max Borkowicz, a third-year business management student, fought in last year’s show and served as the announcer this year. “We do the best show in college boxing,” Borkowicz said. “We’ve got a great production
BRAWL | 8A
Emma Calabro | The Daily Iowan
Los Primos Valjot Boyal and Michael Conefrey face off during Fall Brawl, hosted by Iowa Boxing Club, at the Iowa Memorial Union at the University of Iowa on Dec. 7. Numerous schools including Iowa State, Wisconsin, and Illinois as well as other boxing organizations fought in 11 bouts. The pair rematched with Valjot earning a victory, redeeming his loss from 2023 Fight Night.
Toy drives brighten Iowa City this holiday season Iowa City is spreading cheer with toy drives and mutual aid efforts. Emma Jane News Reporter
news@dailyiowan.com
As the holidays near, Iowa City residents are stepping up to support toy drives aimed at brightening the season for local families. The Domestic Violence Intervention Program, or DVIP, is gathering donations for its annual holiday shop, which provides free gifts to families receiving shelter
and outreach services from the organization. Alta Medea, DVIP’s director of community engagement, emphasized that bringing joy to families during the holiday season plays a vital role in supporting their clients’ healing journey. “Celebrations happen even when you’re in crisis,” Medea said. “We are often working with folks at the very worst time of their lives, having to make some really hard decisions and fleeing abuse.”
She said that DVIP ensures the holiday shop is fully stocked with a wide variety of gifts, giving parents the opportunity to choose items that match their children’s specific interests and needs. The available items include large presents, stocking stuffers, pajamas, and stuffed animals. “A lot of individuals that shop at our holiday store have not been able to choose gifts for their kiddos previously,” Medea said. “Having that wide variety, hav-
ing that option for them to do so safely, without fear of being stalked or harassed or the burden financially, is able to give them a little bit more hope.” DVIP’s holiday shop will remain open for families until Christmas Eve, and Medea said any donated gifts left over will be added to the organization’s birthday closet, which is open year-round for families to access
TOYS | 8A