DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – More security fences have been set up around the Democratic National Convention due to some pro-Palestine protestors breaking through a fence as the DNC kicked off Monday.

Tuesday night, a protest is planned outside of the Israeli Consulate in Chicago.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart says the protests walked right past their hotel.

Amid flaring tensions in Chicago outside of the DNC, Hart says the only way the party will get to a better place is if they keep the conversation going. “We are a big tent party. That we are willing to take on the tough issues and we’re willing to talk to people who don’t always agree with us within our own party and from the other side,” she said.

State Senator Janice Weiner of Iowa City says there’s room in the party for a discussion. “We’re also not like single issue people. We are capable than holding more than one idea, one thought, one disagreement in our heads,” she said.

Weiner says the path to a solution to the divisions in the party is to keep the conversation going. “We deal with that by both by acknowledging it, by welcoming everyone in, by having the tough conversations, and by understanding that we’re not going to solve everything right now,” Weiner said.

Cornell College Political Science Professor Megan Goldberg says these protests might work. “There’s a lot of evidence that protests can be effective ways of pushing a candidate further along sort of the your policy continuum towards what you want,” she said.

Goldberg says the Democratic Party hasn’t been subject to many protests recently. In recent years, we’ve seen protests by Democrats against former President Donald Trump, but not by Democrats protesting their own party. She says that this might present a challenge for the Democratic party on how to navigate these protests.

Goldberg adds that at some point, Harris will likely have to confront the issue directly.

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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.

Iowa defensive coordinator reluctant to name starting cornerbacks with more than a week before start of 2024 season

IOWA CITY — Phil Parker has a “good idea” of who his starting cornerbacks will be in 2024.

But with 11 days to go until the Hawkeyes’ season opener, the Iowa defensive coordinator (and 2023 Broyles Award recipient) was reluctant Tuesday to name who specifically those starters will be.

“I got a list of guys and rank them, but things change every day with us throughout the practice,” Parker said.

Jermari Harris seems to be the likely answer at one of the spots as he approaches his sixth season of college football. He started 12 of Iowa’s 14 games last year, and Parker said he has been “taking a lot” of first-team reps in fall camp.

With another first-team cornerback spot up for grabs, the Hawkeyes’ options include T.J. Hall, John Nestor and Deshaun Lee.

Parker has been “seeing T.J. Hall grow and improve his standard of play.” Nestor is “really doing a good job, very competitive out there.” Lee, meanwhile, is “doing a heck of a job.”

“It’s really interesting to see those four over there,” Parker said. “One day, one guy might have a better day than the other guy. It’s depending on what day and what the point of attack, how productive are they?”

Lee started six games in 2023 — first in place of Harris during his two-game suspension and later in place of Cooper DeJean after his injury. Hall primarily played on special teams in six games before suffering an injury. Nestor played 10 games as a true freshman, also with the bulk of those snaps happening on special teams.

Iowa has not always been keen on rotating defensive backs. Iowa’s Week 6 win over Purdue last year, for example, featured only five players who took snaps in the secondary, according to Pro Football Focus’ snap counts. But its current depth at cornerback could create some options there.

“You can see maybe playing more guys in the back end, if you have to,” Parker said.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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Fall Saturdays in Iowa City are more than just raucous football games and large tailgates. A long history of game-day traditions attracts nearly 70,000 to Kinnick Stadium, and the downtown corridor and beyond is a thriving hub for foodies, locals, and tourists alike.

The 2024 football season begins Saturday, Aug. 31, when the Iowa Hawkeyes host the Illinois State Redbirds.

Here are a few establishments the Iowa City Press-Citizen recommends when in town for a football game, whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a celebratory dinner, or the perfect place to bask in game-day ambiance.

Restaurants that are a short trek from Kinnick Stadium

Details: Stella, 1006 Melrose Ave., Iowa City

Steps away from Kinnick Stadium, Stella is a contemporary spot that combines American classics with Cajun fare. It is also one of Iowa City’s most vegetarian-friendly establishments, serving game-day spirit in a reinvented atmosphere and offering a variety of black bean burgers.

Details: Sidekick Coffee & Books, 310 1/2 Melrose Ave., Iowa City

Less than a 15-minute walk from Kinnick Stadium, Sidekick Coffee & Books is a vibrant hub in the University Heights neighborhood. The café boasts a robust menu, perfect for all occasions from lattes and smoothies to quiche and scones and yogurt parfaits, whether browsing the bookstore or before game day.

More: Where to find five of the best places to drink in Iowa City

Where to cater your Hawkeyes tailgate in Iowa City

Details: Graze Gourmet To-Go, 345 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City

Whether you are hosting a tailgate at Kinnick or watching the game at home, consider ordering in. The restaurant often collaborates with University of Iowa teams to provide game-day nutrition for athletes, but the restaurant also takes care of the community. The food at Graze Gourmet is designed to be taken to-go, as hinted in its name, by creating a menu of classic takeout items with a surprising array of options. Pizza, chicken lips, tacos, Mexican fried rice, and dim sum green beans are a few of the standouts, perfect for a game-day celebration.

More: Downtown Iowa City Dubuque Street construction is on track to be finished by September

Restaurants that are worth the wait before the Hawkeyes play in Iowa City

Details: Micky’s, 11 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City

Located in the heart of downtown, Micky’s has been a game-day tradition serving Iowa City for more than 30 years. Opening at 8:30 a.m. on Saturdays, the local pub is the perfect spot to swing by for breakfast before the game, though it is also open until 2 a.m. for a late-night bite. Lines can be long, but the food and energy are worth the wait.

Details: Donnelly’s Pub,110 E. College St., Iowa City

The downtown corridor is packed on game day, but Donnelly’s Pub is well worth the wait. Donnelly’s Pub has a wide selection of beer and whiskey but also boasts a robust traditional pub menu from burgers to Irish stew and one of the best Reuben sandwiches in town. Donnelly’s is a good stop before the game or even as a place to hunker down and watch.

More: From falafel to pupusas: Iowa City’s top rated restaurants according to Yelp

Where to find a quick game-day bite in Iowa City

Details: Kindred Coffee, 287 N. Linn St., Iowa City

Kindred Coffee, located on the north side, is the place to go if you want something quick and easy. The coffee shop is best known for its specialty brews, from espresso tonics to classic lattes. Kindred Coffee also has a small but mighty breakfast menu, perfect for eating on the way to the game.

Details: The Encounter Café, 76 S. Clinton St., Iowa City

The Encounter Café first opened its doors in August 2017 and has become a premiere brunch spot in the seven years since. There are plenty of brunch options, from homemade pastries to breakfast burritos and skillets, whether you are keener on sweet or savory. Diners can either sit and eat or take their food to go while walking to Kinnick.

Where to watch the Hawkeyes game in Iowa City

Details: 2 Dog’s Pub, 1705 S. First Ave., Iowa City

For folks unable to make it to Kinnick Stadium or those who just want to avoid the crush of fans on Saturdays can venture outside of the downtown corridor for a variety of options, including 2 Dog’s Pub, one of the top spots to catch every Hawkeye touchdown. You’ll surely not miss a single play with TVs showing the game on every wall, whether home or away. With more than 20 beers on draft and an expansive menu filled with elevated bar eats such as wings and burgers, 2 Dog’s Pub has something for everyone.

More: The Press-Citizen has compiled a list of best patios in the area, here’s what made the cut

Details: Big Grove Brewery 1225 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City

With plenty of seating inside and out, Big Grove Brewery’s Iowa City taproom is one of the best places to watch Saturday’s game. Known for its Easy Eddy hazy IPA, Big Grove offers dozens of TVs and even a projection screen for viewing pleasure, and a bar anchored by a rotating list of Big Grove’s well-regarded beers. The food menu is rather expansive as well. The brewery’s regular watch parties often include DJs on the ones and twos during commercial breaks.

Details: 30 Hop, 900 E. Second Ave., Coralville

Located in the Iowa River Landing, the rooftop brewpub and restaurant offers an immaculate array of craft beers, a full bar, and a food menu. The atmosphere is top-notch, with dozens of TVs on the rooftop, perfect for watching the Hawkeyes win.

Details: Coach’s Corner, 749 Mormon Trek Blvd., Iowa City

Coach’s Corner’s Instagram bio refers to itself as the “The #1 place to catch a game in Iowa City!” Located on the west side of town, Coach’s Corner is a quintessential sports bar serving classic bar food fare from wings to a variety of sandwiches that will make you want to come back time and time again.

More: From shakes to soft serve, here are the 10 best ice cream spots in Johnson County

Classic eats for the early birds before a Hawkeyes game

Details: Bluebird Diner, 330 E. Market St., Iowa City

Want to get to Kinnick as early as you can? Bluebird Diner is perfect for fans looking for a high-quality breakfast. Open at 7 a.m. daily, it is the ideal place to fuel up before kickoff, serving classic diner breakfast and lunch from open to close.

Details: Hamburg Inn No. 2, 214 N. Linn St., Iowa City

The Hamburg Inn No. 2 has been a cornerstone in the Iowa City community for 90 years. Last year, the joint found new life and has remained a favorite under new ownership since it reopened on Homecoming weekend. Enjoy classics from The Hamburg Inn No. 2 like Hamburg Inn pie shakes, fried chicken, celebratory cups of bottomless coffee, or the classic Presidential Breakfast with two eggs your way, hash browns, sausage or bacon, and toast. Since reopening, the Hamburg Inn No. 2 often has long wait times even on non-game days, so come early to secure a spot.

More: Here’s where to find some of the best fried chicken in Iowa, from Balltown to Donnellson

Where to find late-night bites in Iowa City

Details: George’s Buffet, 312 E Market St., Iowa City

If you are looking for a place to kick back after the game, try George’s Buffett. The bar serves late-night bites including cheese sandwiches, hot nuts, chips, and cheeseburgers on its limited-food menu. These are the perfect re-up after any long day.

More: Discover the 6 best burger restaurants in Iowa City, from gourmet to classic delights

Details: Sanctuary Pub, 405 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City

Sanctuary Pub has been an Iowa City mainstay since 1972. Reminiscent of a traditional British pub, the bar emulates its namesake, being a sanctuary for a welcoming place to enjoy the company of others over good food and drinks. The restaurant has a menu rooted in classic bar fare, with elevated options like baked brie and vodka shrimp. The restaurant is open until 11 p.m. on weekends; it is a great option after a long day to refuel.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_.