LATEST: TV Schedules | NEWS | Local Programs | ACTIVATE PASSPORT
LATEST: TV Schedules | NEWS | Local Programs | ACTIVATE PASSPORT
Hosted by the renowned Jim Mertens, THE CITIES offers an exploration of local and national issues, events and stories impacting residents of Eastern Iowa, Western, North-Central, and Central Illinois. Plus Out and About, a weekly segment featuring events happening throughout the region.
Airing Thursdays at 7:00PM.
*Encore airing on Sundays at 4:00PM.
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Find out what's happening in the region
Jim Mertens talks with Nicole Carkner of the Quad City Health Initiative and Brooke Barnes of the Scott County Health Department about the Quad Cities health assessment, focusing on disease, mental health, poverty, and community needs.”
Broadcast date: December 13, 2024
Jim speaks with Illinois Farm Bureau District Director Jeff Kirwan and NEST Cafe Founder Laura Mahn.
Broadcast date: November 26, 2024
Jim sits down with Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins and Rock Island Clerk Karen Kinney to discuss the upcoming election.
Broadcast date: October 31, 2024
Jim speaks with Rene Gellerman, President/CEO of United Way Quad Cities, about community needs in education, poverty, and mental health.
Broadcast date: October 17, 2024
RiverBend Food Bank Vice President Jenny Colvin joins the conversation, along with Figge Art Museum Interpretation and Engagement Coordinator Heather Aaronson.
Broadcast date: October 10, 2024
Rivermont Collegiate Headmaster C. Max Roach and Admissions Director Kristin Skaggs join Jim to discuss Iowa’s Education Savings plans.
Broadcast date: October 3, 2024
Nicole Sodawasser, Youth and Outreach Director at YWCA, discusses Alan’s House, a shelter for homeless and at-risk youth. Plus Melissa Gravert, WQPT PBS' Educational Outreach Director, talks about the station's upcoming event,. Imagination Station.
Broadcast date: September 26, 2024
TJ Schneckloth, Superintendent of Davenport Community Schools, sat down with Jim to discuss the district’s academic goals and plans for the future.
Broadcast date: September 19, 2024
Dr. Kristi Mindrup, Interim President of Western Illinois University, discusses the current status of the university.
Broadcast date: September 12, 2024
Jim interviews Shane Sawyer, IowaWORKS Veteran Career Planner, about their recent award and efforts to help veterans find jobs. He also speaks with Neil Dahlstrom, John Deere Archivist, to explore the company’s rich history and its connection to Moline.
Broadcast date: September 5, 2024
Jim interviews Roger Ruthhart on the Xstream Rock Island Grand Prix and talks with Dan Gosa from the Quad City Federation of Labor about the state of unions in the region.
Broadcast date: August 29, 2024
Jim interviews Illinois 17th District Republican candidate, Joe McGraw, on local and national policies.
Broadcast date: August 22, 2024
Jim interviews Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart about the presidential race and the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Broadcast date: August 15, 2024
Jim interviews Lydia Amissah-Harris, Scott County Family Health Coordinator, and Lorna Bimm, Scott County Public Health Nurse, about health resources and safety for Quad Cities residents.
Broadcast date: August 8, 2024
Jim interviews Dr. Sharon Williams, Rock Island-Milan School Superintendent, about her new role and the upcoming school year.
Broadcast date: August 1, 2024
Mertens is an award-winning news anchor. He joined the Cedar Rapids, Iowa ABC network affiliate KCRG-TV9 News team in 2022 after 27 years of reporting news for the Quad Cities region at WQAD-TV in Moline. Before that, Jim was a news anchor and reporter for WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He also worked for WEAU-TV in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He began his professional career in radio in 1978 at WFON-FM in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Jim has received numerous awards for his journalistic reporting. His Long-form journalism has earned him first-place awards with the Iowa Associated Press, the Iowa Broadcast News Association, and the Illinois News Broadcasters Association. He was a former president of the Iowa Broadcast News Association and the Northwest Broadcast News
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