Not Quite Quorum

Oliver Weilein and Laura Bergus discuss recent issues that have come before the Iowa City city council, including the need for replacing poster kiosks for flyering downtown, and the communal plight of the Iowa City Community School District.

Nick Bergus and Laura Bergus discuss the arguments for and against building the proposed jail and sheriff's department, and how the "only this" assertions of the "Vote Yes" team fall flat.

Laura Bergus and Oliver Weilein reflect on a recent press conference against the proposed jail, and discuss their futile efforts to save a homeless dog.

Laura Bergus and Nick Bergus discuss the challenges of building or having trust in and between leaders, constituents, and local governments.

Laura Bergus and Oliver Weilein discuss the process of determining whether/when/how to release body camera footage of a police shooting, and Oliver is reading a new book on municipal socialism.

Nick Bergus and Laura Bergus discuss jail bond events the week of September 21, 2026: Iowa City Human Rights Commission, League of Women Voters Pro-Jail Forum, and Dream City's ongoing Community Conversations.

We break down the bureaucracy of moving towards release of video footage of Iowa City's first police killing in 30 years, reflect on several other recent tragedies, and talk about the horror of the Johnson County Sheriff's error(s) that enable ICE's unconstitutional work in our community.

I recorded this short late-night voice memo after a week of tragedies in our community. I took this picture while I was trying to take in some nature, immediately after watching all of the footage of the man killed by Iowa City Police. These times call for digging into the work to make transformative change, together. It is messy and scary and hard and noisy. But we cannot sit back or stay silent when we have the power to make the change we deserve. Stay uncomfortable. I’m right here with you.

Laura and Nick Bergus discuss how federal immigration enforcement already happens at the Johnson County Jail, and how ICE can expand its reach if we build a bigger jail.

Laura Bergus and Oliver Weilein discuss the procedure of a recently deferred vote coming back on the Iowa City city council agenda, and what happens next.