https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-citiesThe Cities is a local features program hosted by Jim Mertens, broadcast on WQPT on Thursdays at 7:00 P.M.en-usStreamGuys RecastJim MertensThe Cities is a local features program hosted by Jim Mertens, broadcast on WQPT on Thursdays at 7:00 P.M.falseepisodicWVIK, Quad Cities NPRpodcasts@wvik.orghttps://wvik-rss.streamguys1.com/wvikfm/20230216120911-TheCitiesNPRN.jpghttps://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities0000019f-0522-da14-af9f-65eec8390000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-06-26/davenport-riverfront-bridge-and-the-future-of-public-broadcastingJim MertensDavenport Riverfront Bridge and the Future of Public Broadcasting1549Fri, 26 Jun 2026 23:00:00 -0500Jim talks with Illinois State Rep Gregg Johnson (D) about the final moments of the Illinois legislative session.0000019e-e0de-df1d-a1de-f8fe62f00000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-06-19/illinois-legislative-session-democratJim MertensJim talks with Illinois State Rep Gregg Johnson (D) about the final moments of…Jim talks with Illinois State Rep Gregg Johnson (D) about the final moments of the Illinois legislative session.Illinois Legislative Session - Democrat1509Fri, 19 Jun 2026 23:00:00 -05000000019e-bcd7-d3e6-a1de-fcdfa7360000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-06-12/the-end-of-the-2026-illinois-legislative-session-democratsJim MertensThe End of the 2026 Illinois Legislative Session: Democrats1551Fri, 12 Jun 2026 23:00:00 -0500Host Jim Mertens talks with Michael Kuehn of the Illinois Transportation Department about the plans for the current Centennial Bridge and what the future might hold.0000019e-98f0-d4fa-addf-defec20c0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-06-05/a-new-centennial-bridgeJim MertensHost Jim Mertens talks with Michael Kuehn of the Illinois Transportation…Host Jim Mertens talks with Michael Kuehn of the Illinois Transportation Department about the plans for the current Centennial Bridge and what the future might hold.A New Centennial Bridge?1503Fri, 05 Jun 2026 23:00:00 -05000000019e-74d7-da42-adbe-f7d7630e0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-05-29/homelessness-and-changes-to-quad-cities-international-airportJim MertensHomelessness and Changes to Quad Cities International Airport1635Fri, 29 May 2026 23:00:00 -05000000019e-55b3-ddee-a99f-5ffb648d0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-05-23/iowa-democrats-watch-the-2026-session-end-and-a-series-of-adventures-volunteerJim Mertens Iowa Democrats Watch the 2026 Session End, and a Series of Adventures...Volunteer?1448Sat, 23 May 2026 13:00:00 -05000000019e-2cde-da3d-a59f-eefefa520000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-05-15/iowa-lawmakers-end-their-session-what-did-they-doJim MertensIowa Lawmaker's End Their Session. What Did They Do?1542Fri, 15 May 2026 23:00:00 -05000000019e-08c9-d6c1-afff-b8dfdcb50000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-05-08/farmers-looking-for-a-little-certainty-and-mercado-on-5th-celebrating-looking-to-the-futureJim MertensFarmers Looking for a Little Certainty and Mercado on 5th Celebrating, Looking to the Future1721Fri, 08 May 2026 23:00:00 -05000000019d-e4d8-d215-a5dd-f4daac9f0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-05-01/east-molines-next-phase-of-infrastructure-and-regulating-kratomJim MertensEast Moline's next phase of infrastructure and regulating Kratom.1658Fri, 01 May 2026 23:00:00 -0500Jim Mertens talks with Alexander Gibbs, Quad City National Weather Service Meteorologist, about what kind of weather we can expect in the weeks ahead this spring. Jim then talks with YouthHope Executive Director Esther Joy King about the 90th anniversary of YouthHope.0000019d-c094-d86b-afdf-ccd478810000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-04-24/dangerous-weather-youthhopeJim MertensJim Mertens talks with Alexander Gibbs, Quad City National Weather Service…Jim Mertens talks with Alexander Gibbs, Quad City National Weather Service Meteorologist, about what kind of weather we can expect in the weeks ahead this spring. Jim then talks with YouthHope Executive Director Esther Joy King about the 90th anniversary of YouthHope.Dangerous Weather / YouthHope1626Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:00:00 -05000000019d-9c70-d750-adbf-ff70eb340000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-04-17/to-the-moon-and-beyond-and-removing-language-barriers-in-our-schoolsJim MertensTo the Moon and Beyond, and Removing Language Barriers in our Schools.1486Fri, 17 Apr 2026 23:00:00 -05000000019d-785b-dac1-ab9f-7f5b2d2b0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-04-10/the-political-landscape-in-illinois-for-2026-and-burlesque-festivals-and-eventsJim MertensThe Political Landscape in Illinois for 2026, and Burlesque Festivals and Events.1583Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:00:00 -05000000019d-544b-dbd0-a3fd-5cdfeb970000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-04-03/dangers-along-the-rock-river-and-the-boys-of-summer-take-the-fieldJim MertensDangers along the Rock River and the Boys of Summer take the field.1558Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:00:00 -05000000019d-3072-de98-addf-7373553e0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-03-27/the-holocaust-remembered-through-music-and-empowering-womens-entrepreneurship-innovation-and-career-developmentJim MertensThe Holocaust remembered through music and empowering women's entrepreneurship, innovation, and career development.1583Fri, 27 Mar 2026 23:00:00 -0500Jim Mertens talks with Bettendorf Police Chief Doug Scott about the steps the police are taking to better handle mental health crisis. Jim also talks with Dr. Gouri Pitale, VP of Augustana College for Culture & Connections about how and why diversity, equity, and inclusion are important in higher education.0000019d-0c2e-de98-addf-5f2fbbe70000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-03-20/mental-health-and-the-policeJim MertensJim Mertens talks with Bettendorf Police Chief Doug Scott about the steps the…Jim Mertens talks with Bettendorf Police Chief Doug Scott about the steps the police are taking to better handle mental health crisis. Jim also talks with Dr. Gouri Pitale, VP of Augustana College for Culture & Connections about how and why diversity, equity, and inclusion are important in higher education.Mental Health and The Police1676Fri, 20 Mar 2026 23:00:00 -0500Jim Mertens talks with Bettendorf School Superintendent Dr. Michelle Morse about the changes the legislature is considering.0000019c-e85b-dbd0-a3fc-fcdf4f820000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-03-13/tough-decisions-in-iowa-schoolsJim MertensJim Mertens talks with Bettendorf School Superintendent Dr. Michelle Morse…Jim Mertens talks with Bettendorf School Superintendent Dr. Michelle Morse about the changes the legislature is considering.Tough Decisions in Iowa Schools1646Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:18:46 -0500Jim talks with Beth Richardson, Canadian Counsul General in Minneapolis, about the increasing tension between the US and Canada. Jim also talks with Joseph Patrick Dooley of the St. Patrick Society of the Quad Cities about the St. Patricks Grand Parade that spans Rock Island and Davenport.0000019c-c478-d239-a79c-fffd135f0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-03-06/canadian-tariffs-and-celebrating-irish-traditions-and-the-great-paradeJim MertensJim talks with Beth Richardson, Canadian Counsul General in Minneapolis, about…Jim talks with Beth Richardson, Canadian Counsul General in Minneapolis, about the increasing tension between the US and Canada. Jim also talks with Joseph Patrick Dooley of the St. Patrick Society of the Quad Cities about the St. Patricks Grand Parade that spans Rock Island and Davenport.Canadian Tariffs and Celebrating Irish Traditions and the Great Parade.1659Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:00:00 -0600Jim Mertens talks with Christine Barth of the Scott Country Library System about their new collection of phonics based books and resources. He also talks with Christina Kastell, Putnam Museum Curator, about her new podcast that focuses on the history of the Quad Cities in the lead up to America's 250th birthday.0000019c-7cad-d51f-a59f-fcbf7e800000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-02-20/learn-to-read-historic-qcJim MertensJim Mertens talks with Christine Barth of the Scott Country Library System…Jim Mertens talks with Christine Barth of the Scott Country Library System about their new collection of phonics based books and resources. He also talks with Christina Kastell, Putnam Museum Curator, about her new podcast that focuses on the history of the Quad Cities in the lead up to America's 250th birthday.Learn to Read & Historic QC1575Fri, 20 Feb 2026 23:00:00 -0600Jim talks with Sara K. about the signs of human trafficking and also talks with wildlife biologist Kelly McKay about eagle counting.0000019c-5837-d1a0-adbc-7cffc15e0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-02-13/spotting-human-traffickingJim MertensJim talks with Sara K. about the signs of human trafficking and also talks with…Jim talks with Sara K. about the signs of human trafficking and also talks with wildlife biologist Kelly McKay about eagle counting.Spotting Human Trafficking1645Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:00:00 -0600Jim talks with Moline Mayor Rayapati about the state of the city and what we can expect in this new year.0000019c-3443-d9fa-a1de-74e3c81a0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/the-cities/2026-02-06/the-state-of-moline-ilJim MertensJim talks with Moline Mayor Rayapati about the state of the city and what we…Jim talks with Moline Mayor Rayapati about the state of the city and what we can expect in this new year.The State of Moline, IL1628Fri, 06 Feb 2026 23:00:00 -0600