Claudia Thrane
Latest from Claudia Thrane
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Thrane: What it Feels Like to be in a Hospital During COVID
A few weeks ago, I had to take my husband to the emergency room in the middle of the night. Almost immediately the doctor said, “We have to intervene him right away.” I was instantly stressed. Not only was my husband on the verge of surgery, but we were in a hospital as COVID-19 and…
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Ghana Native Helps Other Iowa Immigrants Reach Their Dream at Evelyn K. Davis Center
Ahmed Agyeman is living his American Dream and works to help others achieve theirs. In June, the Ghana native was chosen to lead the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Urban Campus where he continues to do what he does best: Make Iowa better every day. The…
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Venezuelan Immigrant Uses her Voice to Help Spanish-Speaking Iowans
Vanessa Marcano-Kelly of Des Moines played a key role during the pandemic as one of the Spanish interpreters for Gov. Kim Reynolds’ daily news conferences, making sure Spanish-speaking Iowans stayed informed on the public health situation. Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, the Venezuela native is the owner of Caracas Language Solutions LLC, an interpretation…
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Misinformation, Side Effects Hindering Tyson Workers’ Vaccine Acceptance
Although Midwestern meatpacking plants became global hotspots for COVID-19 last April and May amid lax safety precautions, many employees have mixed feelings on taking the vaccine to protect themselves against new waves of the virus. And there’s also concern, as well as some resignation, over the new vaccine mandate that Tyson Foods is implementing for…
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To Fair or Not to Fair: Iowans Discuss the Risks
Attending the Iowa State Fair is a memorable tradition for most Iowans and visitors. For an immigrant like me, it was an exciting introduction to my new home when I arrived 21 years ago. Everything about the fair during that first visit was mind-blowing; a cultural lesson to say the least. I was in awe…
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Thrane: Reynolds Wrong to Blame Immigrants
Some statements by Gov. Kim Reynolds make me question her level of knowledge about what happens on the US Southern Border. “Part of the problem is the Southern Border is open and we’ve got 88 countries that are coming across the border, and they don’t have vaccines so none of them are vaccinated, and they…
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Midwest Dreamers Want Citizenship, not More Uncertainty
Although the latest federal ruling on DACA does not affect enrolled recipients, many of them are still frustrated by the program’s instability. “Every time this program is challenged, we feel that they are playing with us,” said Juan Antonio Garcia. “I would like for this administration to give us a residency and a path to…
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Meet Henny Ohr, an Advocate for Iowa’s Refugees
Henny Ohr has dedicated her life to empowering communities and showing what determination and caring for others can accomplish. She is the director and co-founder of Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center (EMBARC) in Des Moines. EMBARC is a nonprofit dedicated to helping Iowa’s refugee population through advocacy, education, and community development. Her…
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Thrane: Child Tax Credits Will Help, but Some Choosing to Wait
While opening my mail a few days ago, I noticed a letter from the White House signed by President Joe Biden explaining the American Rescue Plan that was passed on March 11. This plan is intended to help millions of American families fight public health and economic challenges caused by the pandemic. Besides the stimulus…
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Thrane: Reynolds Sending Troopers To Border Nothing But A Political Stunt
Iowa Gov.Kim Reynolds followed the lead of other Republican governors loyal to the former president when she announced on June 24 she was sending Iowa State Patrol officers to the U.S. Southern Border. “My first responsibility is to the health and safety of Iowans and the humanitarian crisis at our nation’s southern border is affecting…
