Hosted by Jim Mertens this program focuses on the issues facing residents of Eastern Iowa, Western, North-Central, and Central Illinois. The series also explores topics of national importance. Guests discuss a variety of topics with a unique and local focus along with a community calendar (Out and About) featuring events, exhibits and other activities happening throughout the region.
Airing Thursdays at 7:00PM.
*Encore airing on Sundays at 4:00PM.
Episodes of The Cities are also available for streaming.
Find out what's happening in the region
APRIL 27
Guest: Matt Wilson, Senior Services Hydrologist National Weather Service
April 20
Guest: Montse Lopez, Market Coordinator, Mercado on Fifth Market
APRIL 6
Guest: Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin
March 30
Guest: Dr. Kristi Mindrup, Vice President of Quad Cities Campus Operations, Western Illinois University
March 23
Guest: Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher
March 16
Guest: Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati
March 9
Guest: Reverend Rich Hendricks, Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities
March 2
Guest: Janessa Calderon, Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
February 23
Guest: Dave Herrell, Visit Quad Cities President/CEO
Episodes of The Cities are also available for streaming.
November 24
Guests: Kevin Maynard, Quad City Arts Executive Director; Missy Carter, Davenport Freight House; and Mike Romkey, Bucktown Revue.
November 17
Guests: Kim Van Scyoc, Festival of Trees; and Donna Young, Isabel Bloom Designer/Co-Owner.
November 10
Guests: Dr. Andrea Talentino, Augustana College President.
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 former president of the Iowa Broadcast News Association, as well as the Northwest Broadcast News Association.
Before relocating to Cedar Rapids in 2022, Jim was employed by WQAD (ABC) in Moline, WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan as an anchor and reporter for six years. Prior to that, Jim was an anchor and reporter for seven years at WEAU-TV in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He began his professional career in radio in 1978 at WFON-FM in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
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