The Fallon Forum

At a time when we are all being asked to conserve water, it is disturbing to see people, businesses and even governments in the Des Moines metro fritter away our liquid gold as if the Raccoon River were bank-full. Perhaps folks would get the point and act more responsibly if we temporarily changed the name of Des Moines' primary water source to Raccoon Creek.

Dr. Charles Goldman is joined by Dr. David Carlyle as they discuss health care, specifically . . . now that the Roberts Supreme Court has declared the Affordable Care Act constitutional, numerous governors (including Iowa's Branstad) say they may refuse the Medicaid requirements and funding that are a central part of that legislation. These governors are also dragging their feet on setting up the insurance exchanges. What does this mean for the ACA nationally and for the uninsured in Iowa?

Attorney Kimberly Graham fills in for Ed today and talks with Candi Banghart about step-parent mediation and Lou Fusco about the five most common myths regarding drunk driving arrests.

State Representative Dan Kelley (D-Newton) fills in for Ed and interviews Jay Villwock about the status of the film industry in Iowa, Rob Hach about Newton's wind energy industry, and Newton Mayor Chaz Allen.

(1) Jami Bassman and Holly Ross share concerns about Oleson Park Zoo in Fort Dodge after the death of two arctic foxes. (2) David Johnson is a former West Branch City Councilman and a recent candidate for the Iowa Statehouse; David shares his research on corporate contributions going to Johnson County Democratic lawmakers. (3) Tim Reynolds with Reynolds Energy Solutions recently did an energy audit on Ed's domicile; Tim now shares the sordid tale of Ed's massive carbon footprint.

Attorney Wally Taylor with the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter discusses a lawsuit filed on behalf of Winnishiek County residents over air quality problems related to factory hog confinements. We also discuss the EPA's concerns over the Iowa DNR's lack of enforcement of confinement regulations. On the related topic of water quality, we hear from Adam Mason with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. We also discuss Rekha Basu's column on Whole Foods.

Organic dairy farmer Francis Thicke helps us analyze a growing trend in the organic movement of big corporate food processing companies taking over popular brand name organic products. Also, Harold Prior with the Iowa Wind Energy Association helps dispel some popular myths about wind energy. We also talk about last night's tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado.

Ron Miller with Prisma Advisors talks about taxpayer subsidies for oil companies and how government can do a better job to promote the development of renewable fuels. Also joining us, State Rep. Dan Kelley (D-Newton).

First, we talk with retired executive director of the Iowa Parole Board, Clarence Key, about the US Supreme Court's ruling on juvenile offenders and Gov. Branstad's reaction. Rep Chuck Isenhart (D-Dubuque) discusses the drought and efforts to diversify Iowa agriculture. Senator Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids) joins us to discuss climate change.

We're joined by Randi Shannon and George Templer. Randi was the Republican candidate for Senate District 34 but resigned last week to become the U.S. Senator from Iowa to the Republic of the United States of America, and George helped appoint (elect, select, whatever). Huh. Blogger John Deeth joins us to help sort it all out.