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Coming up on ����vlog 8 News close up, the 2025 Iowa State Fair is coming to an end. The work behind the scenes to put on Iowa's biggest event, plus an opportunity for Iowans in higher education, *** new scholarship over at DMAC with *** family connection to the school's president. And beyond corn dogs and contests, candidates running for office are hoping to mingle with voters at the state fair. We check in with voters on what they're looking for. This is Iowa's news leader. This is ����vlog 8 News close up. Good morning and thank you so much for joining us for ����vlog 8 News Close Up. I'm Nicole Tam. Today wraps up the 2025 Iowa State Fair. It's *** place filled with fun and tradition for 11 days. This year, *** lot of contestants earned their blue ribbons in contest. Fairgoers got to try dozens of new food and drinks. You need. Of course between parades and performances fill the Grand Concourse throughout the fair. It's *** way for islands and visitors to celebrate *** staple event here in our community. Planning for this event is *** year-long effort. We stopped by the fairgrounds for *** one on one conversation with Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons. The Iowa State Fair is the best time of year here at the fairgrounds, and of course there's *** lot of work behind the scenes to make this happen. Here with me today is Jeremy Parsons, who's the CEO of the Iowa State Fair. Thank you so much for sitting down with us. Hey, good to be with you today. And of course the fair, it's like *** marathon. It runs, runs, runs, and the planning aspect is more of *** long term thing. How are you feeling with just how this year's fair is looking? You know, we talked about the fact that the fair is like one long day with brief periods of darkness, right? So you know it's just been *** tremendous run and obviously. it's *** year-long process for us, definitely *** marathon, not *** sprint. It's your second fair under your leadership. What does that look like? Anything new? We of course have new rules, but just what are you, is it aligned with the vision that you're going for? Yeah, you know, I think really for me since my time here at the Iowa State Fair, we've really tried to focus on the fairgoer and really improving that fairgoer experience. So you saw that this year with Shivers Plaza, the introduction of Shiver's Plaza, or the new entrance at Gate 13 to cut down the lines on the west side of the fairground. More shade structures, more picnic tables, *** fully accessible playground and fun for us, you know, just little things we can do to make the experience better when people come here to the fair. Early on you've told reporters that security and improving those things was one of your priorities as we see here, you're improving accessibility as well. Is it kind of aligned with what you're going for here? You know, it really is all related back to giving that fairgoer the best experience possible, and when you really get into it, it's about safety. You and your family don't feel safe somewhere, you're just not going to go. And so that's why safety is the number one priority for us here. Again, ways that we can improve accessibility around the fairgrounds makes it easier for people to get around. Improving our camera system and our public address systems make it easier for us to keep you safe, you know, just all the initiatives we're always trying to do to improve that guest experience. I know we're just wrapping up another year of the fair, but looking ahead to next year, are you thinking of anything already? You know, I think it's *** process we'll continue. This is *** 400 acre property. We've been doing this for 171 years and so we're just always looking for what can we do to kind of take that next step from the fairgoer experience and so you know, future plans are always involved you know there's always future planning going on about improved facilities as we continue to work through our barn renovation project, but really again it's just continuing to make the Iowa State Fair even greater. I know there's so many people behind the scenes working on it besides yourself and working with so many. To make this fair happen. What is something that you are looking forward to changing or doing in the coming years that you hope to do during your time here? Yeah, you know, we just really want to continue, I think, to improve our agriculture education here at the fair. Obviously the cornerstone of what we do is agriculture. People come to the fair to enjoy the animals, to learn about Iowa agriculture, but yet Iowans are less and less directly connected to the farm and so we've got some exciting plans for *** Brand new education facility that we'll be constructing in the next 2 to 3 years probably to continue to tell that story of Iowa agriculture. And of course the fairgrounds itself is so iconic that Iowans and people beyond want to host their events here. What's that like beyond the fair itself being the place where people desire to plan an event here? You know, the Iowa State Fairgrounds really has two roles besides the fair. One is, you know, we host more than 200 events here, events like the Good Guys Car Show. Previous years we've hosted the National Junior High rodeo finals, World Park Expo, you know, some major events, but yet we also host weddings, quinceaneras, small local events as well. So that's part of our mission when the fair is not going on. The other mission really is being *** good neighbor here on the east side of Des Moines. Most people don't realize that when the outside of *** few major events, the fairgrounds is open every day from dawn to dusk. It's *** park. Walk your dog, ride your bike. Spend time with your kids on the brand new playground and fun for us and so really we just try to be *** great neighbor for the east side of Des Moines as well. What is planning that look like for big business, say when presidents or politicians come and visit? Is it hard to kind of keep it *** secret while you're planning all of this? You know, obviously there's some layers that we have to keep secret. You know, we often talk about how the fair is really many, many events within one larger event. And so when you're talking about *** visit. From *** political figure or any type of celebrity, you know, there is that next layer, especially political figures when you're talking about highly high federal officials, you're dealing with conversations with the Secret Service and obviously when we hosted President Trump here on July 3rd, you know, *** monumental effort by our staff to be able to accommodate the Secret Service and what they needed to keep the president safe. Yes, and of course you've only been here for two fairs, but so many. Things have changed so much fun here. What's the best part beyond just the people and seeing the fair come alive for you as *** CEO. You know, I think the Iowa State Fair is more than an event. It really is part of the cultural fabric of our state. And so knowing that I have the opportunity to be part of leading something that is so important to Iowans is *** heavyweight. It's *** responsibility. Iowans love their state fair, but at the same time, definitely. Best job in the state of Iowa for sure. Do you have *** favorite fair food? Uh, favorite fair I'm pretty simple, uh, corn dog with mustard. Don't waste uh ketchup on it, just corn dog with mustard and usually my fair tradition, I try to have one of those usually by about 9 a.m. on that first morning of the fair. I think that's *** fair end to our conversation here. *** corn dog with mustard, every Iowa State Fair tradition should be that way. Jeremy Parsons with the Iowa State, thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Good to be with you. Politics do play *** big role at the fair. from walking around the fairgrounds to flipping pork chops at the pork tent, voters have plenty of opportunity to meet with candidates. We checked in with *** few to see what they're looking for in candidates that represent them. It's just great to meet with them to know that uh we're regular people here in Iowa and just to um for them to just connect with us. I just feel like our current government does not connect with the people that we are today. I've always kind of been *** centrist. I've kind of been right down the middle, you know, I lean not towards just all out Republican or Democrat, but I think that we need to have more people in office that care about everybody. I believe it makes *** difference to them if they know of things that are on our radar screen, especially being in the state of Iowa and being *** farm family like we are, I think legislation really impacts us personally. More clean up, you know, keep the prices down in *** bubble. Uh, you know, let's have that other countries give us more respect. The fairgrounds has *** history of presidential contenders stopping by to pose for selfies with potential caucus goers or giving *** speech at the Des Moines Register's political soapbox. But this year is really unique because the next presidential election is not for another 3 years, so the focus this year shifted to those statewide races next year. Candidates are scheduled to appear at the Republican and Democratic Party booths at the varied industries building throughout the fair. Still ahead on Close up, there are new regulations in place at Iowa's public universities this year. The decision from the Board of Regents this week to track student complaints, plus *** new scholarship for DMA students. What's behind the new opportunities scholarship for low income islands? And then my sister put in an additional $5000 because she, she wanted to be ***. Iowa's public universities will all start classes on August 25th. All of them are under *** new policy that's related to what's taught in classes and how students are graded. ����vlog's investigative reporter Suzanne Banky explains *** new decision this week by the Board of Regents. Wednesday's Iowa Board of Regents meeting focused primarily on new policies for academic freedom and student notification of course content. Then regent David Barker introduced an amendment at the meeting. Students shall have access to *** clear, confidential, and timely process to report concerns that instruction is not meeting these standards. Institutions must investigate complaints promptly, report complaints to the board, and take corrective action when warranted. *** 25 minute discussion ensued. Barker says recent videos show there's *** culture on campuses to subvert some policies. Because of this, I think it's understandable that many students do not trust the current complaint process, and so we should develop *** new one. Regent Christine Hensley, the former Des Moines City councilwoman, asked about an independent ombudsman. Hensley says student comfortability to complain matters to her. Enforcement will continue to be at the top of the list of um issues that we as *** board have to deal with. I think there is an underground current with people within the various universities. *** small minority, but they're the ones that are getting the attention that are trying to go around the laws that have been passed. All three universities do have policies and steps for filing an academic grievance. University of Iowa provost Kevin Kragle says the process is required to be in professor's syllabi. There's also an ombudsman at UI. In 11 years, Kragle says *** complaint had not gotten to his office's level. Another issue I would mention is we do want Make sure that faculty have due process as well. I understand the issue of trying to simplify, but at that point, then there's *** concern of whether there's due process for faculty as well as students, because There are always two sides to *** story. University of Northern Iowa provost Josh Herrera and Iowa State provost Jason Keith say their processes are similar to UI's. There are *** small number of complaints, and most are resolved informally. Barker stressed he wants the policy clear for students. They have the opportunity to bring complaints straight to the board, as Rachel was just indicating, and *** lot of students that may not be clear to them that they can do that. It may not be clear to them that they can do it confidentially. Regent staff say the schools ensure confidentiality to the greatest extent possible under the law. Regent Robert Kramer asked if there could be issues in the regents being the final say if complaints aren't resolved at the university level. That could create problems for the board in its appellate capacity. Ultimately, the amendment failed on *** 6-2 vote. Still ahead on Close Up, *** new scholarship helps low income Iowans. DMAC president Rob Denson will join us to talk about the DMAC Opportunity scholarship. My mom died last year just before her ninety-ninth birthday, but not before she set up *** scholarship fund for low income students at DMAC, helping those students who just needed *** little more support to finish to get through. That's GMAC president Rob Denson announcing *** new scholarship at the Iowa State Fair. It's known as the GMAC Opportunity Scholarship. As Rob mentioned, Mom is *** big role with that, and we'll get to that in just *** second. But here with me this morning is Rob Denson himself, president of GMAC. Thank you so much for being here with us this morning. Thank you for bringing. Me here on this important occasion and real quickly just talk about for our viewers what the scholarship does. We know it's low income Iowans who are highly motivated. So DMA serves about 47,000 credit non-credit students every year. 55% of our students are the first member of their family going to college. 35% of our students are low income. And we know that for every grant that our foundation gives low income students to finish, uh, they graduate 30% points more than students who do not receive the money that they need at an important time. So the whole goal is to find low income students that are highly motivated and make sure that we can help them overcome any minor obstacle. That would would keep them from finishing, so it's, it's great. The statistics you mentioned, it makes *** difference for these families who are trying to achieve their dreams. What does it mean to you as the president to be able to help them achieve those dreams? I tell you that the happiest event I go to all year is graduation. We held one last night for our workforce training academy students. We have *** big one. It well, it's Casey's now. It used to be Wells Fargo in May. We, we'll have several 1000 parents and students there. It's to help them complete. *** lot of students come to us and and life gets in the way, so we want to make sure that we can reduce that barrier. And again, oftentimes it's not *** very lot amount of money. It's what it's where our faculty and staff identify the kids where they can get the most. Good out of what we can do. Of course families at home who are have students at DMAC are wondering how they are eligible for this scholarship here. Can you kind of explain *** little bit more about how it works? OK. Our website is opportunity. DMac.edu. So students write the foundation and indicate, you know, what kind of an emergency do they have, whatever it is, and we will investigate. Uh, because it's just not about giving out money. It's to make sure that we identify those highly motivated low-income students, uh, and it's not really to get them into college, it's to help them finish and go on to their lives. And you chose the Iowa State Fair to make that announcement during the fair. How perfect is it that such an Iowa staple location for *** school that benefits so many Iowans throughout the? I tell you it is so great to be in Central Iowa. We have 15 great community colleges around the state of Iowa, but DMAC is, is special in so many ways. We do some national programs, uh, and again, we, we, we serve *** lot of high school students, but *** lot of students that graduate from high school. We have parents, single parents coming to us. Uh, we have students of all ages and we put them in *** class. with *** highly qualified instructor. Our average class size is 18, so the faculty get to know our students and vice versa, and we really partner together to get them through. I want to circle back to that point you made during your announcement about your mom. She's *** big inspiration for you, I'm sure throughout your life. And so talk about her inspiration with that. OK, in 1941, my mother graduated from high school from Norway, Iowa at age 16. She wanted to get *** bachelor's degree, but her family. Did not have the money. She went to her uncle's. They said they couldn't support her without supporting all the kids, and there were 11 in her family, so she went to you and I got *** 3 month certificate to teach, and throughout her life she was always working, raised 5 children, and did very well. So last year she did pass away, but she created *** scholarship to help those students like her. We have *** little bit of time left and you sent us some photos. I want to get real quickly to this one here. Tell us more of what the story is behind that photo. OK, so. There was an event here last year on May 1st. My mom came up and participated with us. So on May 3rd, I called her, no answer. She always answers the phone, waited till 3:30, calls her again, and so I told my sister to go look at her. This is how we found her. She's 3 months before her 99th birthday, so she mowed her grass several times before she passed away, but an amazing woman indeed, and such an amazing story. Thank you so much for sitting down with us this morning. Thank you Rob Jenson from GMAC. Thank you very much. Thank you. Still ahead, amazing lessons behind the counter at an Oskaloosa cafe, the impact and celebrations from that story that we first brought you almost *** year ago. Welcome back to Close Up. We here at ����vlog are proud of our team of talented journalists sharing stories that matter to Iowans. This morning we'd like to take *** moment to celebrate our colleague and friend Eric Hansen, who won his 6th National Mural Award. The photos are. Being here, Eric shared them with us from his previous ones. The award this year was for excellence in writing, showcasing his gift in storytelling from two stories. One of those stories is about *** cafe in Oskaloosa that's more than *** place to work for students. When the clock strikes noon in the town square. Iowans head for soup and *** sandwich. If you want chips or *** salad, that's extra. But in Oskaloosa's Spirit cafe. How was your day? How was yours? The joy at the register. is complimentary. Here's that for you. Bobby Drewliner is not just an employee. The cookies are my favorite. She's the cheerleader. My favorite food is. Ready to offer her suggestions. The potatoes are my favorite from the. Menu filled with bowls of happiness and dancing greens. They're all made in the kitchen by Bobby's sister Billie Joe. But these twins, you have *** nice day are just 2 on *** staff that didn't come here for the food. At first, neither did the customers. I think everyone was very enamored by the mission. laid out by Oskaloosa's special needs teacher who is so passionate about her students, she convinced the school to demo an old downtown restaurant. I mean, kids ripped carpet out to ripped walls down to help paint. Got the arts kids to add some color. And set up *** business model with the accounting students to open Spirit Cafe so her kids could learn. We talk to people. What they weren't getting from *** book. Well, I learned about money, how money works, life lessons. We were talking about being punctual and on time, but really they were just coming for school and having transition from class to class. But when Spirit Cafe opened in May. Everyone was shocked. Their menu was actually impressive. I think I've had the BLT sandwich 10 times because it's so good and the service was even better. These kids are our kids' friends. They go to school with our children, right? And so I wanted to see it and experience it and support them in what they're doing. Every day they're learning. Two adults supervise, focus on food safety, and follow the students' lead. I'll put the chips on there. Is that what you asked me to do? And compassionate customers who understand the mission have their backs. Sometimes people help me with money if I get something wrong, and then I the money back to them so I know the right things in the front window, students with challenges too profound. Work in public, market their t-shirts and woodworking businesses while in the kitchen, 150 orders can come in over lunch, but nailing *** perfect bowl of potato soup, don't forget your green onion is not the goal here. It's, it's not, it's not the cooking. It's not, it's not the completion of the restaurant skills. It's everything else like the transformation that's unfolded at that register. You see, on opening day, the teachers took *** gamble, putting Bobby at the register. When she first started, she hardly would look up at you when she was taking your order. I don't think she would say *** word. The quiet twin was the first face customers would see that first week. Something amazing happened. Bobby found confidence. Now she, you know, she's making full conversations and it's just the growth in her is so it's so sweet and amazing. Now when you order *** cookie from Bobby. She even slides in an extra helping of sweetness. Yeah, I love writing not personalizing each post-it to make sure you enjoy your cookie. After I watched Katie get her note, I was like, well, that is amazing. *** delivery so powerful. Yeah, her teacher is now the one speechless. Yeah, it's been amazing. Sorry, give me *** sec. Yeah, it really is. It makes *** difference in these kids' life, which is great. She knows me by name, which is probably because I like the cookies so much. I'm here *** lot, but I mean she not only recognizes me but wants to make *** conversation. Bobby, her twin sister, and the rest of the crew will not work here forever. They'll graduate to other jobs around town because they know they can contribute. But ask the loyal customers who made these booths some of the most popular in town. Awesome. They'll tell you they've been getting *** lesson too. Everyone's life has value. That's right. That's right, all of us, because most businesses open their doors to make money. Oskaloosa, the Spirit cafe just hopes to break even while already proving they are making *** difference. They have come so far. That's one of many amazing stories Eric has told here at ����vlog. Congratulations my friend.