Rock Island Line

In this episode of Rock Island Line , Annika sits down with Dr. Jane Simonsen, professor of history and gender studies at Augustana College and co-author and editor of  Called to Reckon: Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College . Their conversation explores what it means to truly "reckon" with history—both as individuals and as institutions rooted in a specific place. Toget...

n this episode of Rock Island Line , Annika sits down with Marisa Cantu for a wide-ranging conversation about community, service, and life in Rock Island. Marisa reflects on growing up in Rock Island and the powerful influence of her father in shaping her commitment to service and mission-driven work. She shares what it was like growing up—and now raising her own children—on the Half, and how thos...

In this episode of Rock Island Line , I sit down with Deb Kuntzi , the Executive Director of the Hauberg Estate — a local treasure that has been a cultural and architectural jewel of our community for more than a century. Built between 1909 and 1911 in the Prairie style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hauberg Estate was once the private home of Susanne Denkmann and John...

My first guest of Season Two is Aubrey Barnes , also known as Mister Aubs. I wish I could nominate him for Rock Island's Poet Laureate.  Aubrey is a nationally recognized poet, writer, and educator from Rock Island, and the founder of Young Lions Roar — a youth-centered arts and empowerment collective that uses poetry, performance, and creative writing as tools for liberation, healing, and social...

In this heartfelt season finale of The Rock Island Line , host Annika O'Melia sits down with her dear friend, Jessica Youngblood Kirkpatrick — but this time, the roles are reversed. Jessica interviews Annika about her own Rock Island story, tracing deep family roots that stretch through generations of Rocky and Augie graduates. What begins as a conversation about hometown heritage quickly opens in...

In today's episode, Annika talks to Matthew Claude. Matthew grew up in Rock Island, graduated from Rock Island High School, and taught at Rock Island Academy for five years, with his first year of teaching occurring in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Matthew and Annika discuss Rock Island, education, teaching, learning, poverty, policy, unions, capitalism, and more in this fast-paced conversat...

In this conversation, Annika sits down with Rev. Jennifer Ohman-Rodriguez, Lead Pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Island, Illinois. Jennifer's journey to ministry weaves together deep-loss, creative renewal, and a profound commitment to embodied worship and public faith. She opens up about relocating to Rock Island, the sudden and tragic loss of her husband (Anthony D. Rodriguez) in 201...

In today's episode, Annika talks to Heinz-Georg Drensler, her father's "brother" from Germany. Heinz was a foreign exchange student at Rock Island High School in 1964/65 and has loved Rock Island and his American family ever since. Heinz was in town last week for Rocky's 60th Class Reunion and stopped by the studio to reflect on his journey to Rock Island from Germany, his American experience, and...

Reverend Dr. Dwight Ford is widely known as  "The People's Pastor" — an innovative leader, author, and public theologian committed to impoverished communities and eliminating the causes of poverty. Rev. Ford served six years in the United States Marine Corps, including tours in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where he was ranked among the top ten percent of enlisted Marines. After his mi...

  In this episode of Rock Island Line , Annika sits down with Holly Sparkman — longtime community leader, storyteller, entrepreneur, and do-er— to explore her life in Rock Island. We talk about: Holly's path to Augustana College, which rooted her in Rock Island Her journey in the art world, from opening art galleries to being a member of the Art Guild Holly's time working with Renaissance Rock Isl...

Description: In this Rock Island Line update, Annika breaks down the September 22nd Rock Island City Council meeting in 10 minutes. Key takeaways: Housing & Redevelopment: The city officially dissolves the stalled 1st Street TIF and backs a new Northwest Industrial TIF , while supporting Community Home Partners' Valley Homes senior housing project . Homeless Services & Community Innovation: The Th...

On today's episode, Annika sits down with Antaeus Simmons, founder of UTH Riders Foundation, or "Under the Helmet." Antaeus outlines his work on promoting safety, whether that's road safety, providing gun locks, working to reduce gang violence, "Stop the Bleed" community safety trainings, or summer programming for kids promoting safety, academic excellence, and athletics.  Building a safer communi...

Today's episode is a quick check-in to announce I'm taking the week off and will have a new episode out next week. In the meantime, I'm asking for feedback. What do you like? Who should I interview? What do you dislike? Email me at annika@rockislandline.com Thank you for loving Rock Island and for listening.  See you next week on the Rock Island Line. 

Today's episode covers the 9.8.2025 Rock Island City Council Meeting. You can view the agenda and details and find a link to watch the meeting here:  https://rockislandil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/601/overview Here's an overview of items addressed at the meeting: 📜 Proclamations recognizing: Bill Bell Jazz & Heritage Festival Day National Suicide Prevention Month Ivory Clark Remembrance Day 📸...

In today's episode, Annika sits down with Demetrius Johnson. Demetrius grew up in Rock Island's Arsenal Courts (now known as Century Woods) in a large Rock Island family. Demetrius and his wife, Chanda, now own the Green Store, a corner convenience store located across the street from Century Woods, and strive to be a positive presence in the community. Demetrius explores his journey through young...

In today's episode, Annika sits down with Alan Carmen. Alan Carmen is a longtime Rock Island public servant and planner. He spent decades with the City's planning and redevelopment team—helping craft Rock Island's landmark 1984 historic preservation ordinance and guiding neighborhood and downtown projects—then served as Rock Island Township Supervisor from 2013 to 2021. Today, he continues his civ...

Today's episode covers the 8.25.2025 Rock Island City Council Meeting. You can view the agenda and details and find a link to watch the meeting here:  https://rockislandil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/613/overview   🏛 Council Actions & Votes Meeting structure change – Approved an amendment to city code: Regular council meetings now start at 5:45 PM with presentations and one public comment period (...

🎙️ In this episode of Rock Island Line, host Annika O'Melia sits down with Robb McCoy, pastor of Two Rivers United Methodist Church in Rock Island, co-host of the long-running podcast Pulpit Fiction, and known to many online as FatPastor (find him on Facebook and Instagram). Together, Annika and Robb explore: The role of faith in challenging times Why community matters more than ever How Jesus mig...

Homelessness is rising nationwide—and here at home. When Christie Adamson , co-founder of The Third Place , envisioned opening a daytime drop-in center downtown, she expected hard work—not the controversy that followed. In this conversation, Christie shares why she loves Rock Island, what it's like to live and work downtown with her husband and daughter, and how a proposed moratorium on homelessne...

This episode covers the 8.11.25 Rock Island City Council Meeting. You can watch the full meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/a1UoGR78hBI?si=ZNt-5-6pGgixcWXs  

In this episode of Rock Island Line , host Annika O'Melia sits down with Atticus Garrison , Instruction and Reference Librarian at Black Hawk College. We talk about what drew him back to Rock Island as an adult and take a deep dive into artificial intelligence — how it's poised to shape our lives, and how we can critically engage with it instead of being swept along. I found it fascinating to cons...

In this episode of Rock Island Line, host Annika O'Melia sits down with Dr. Sharon Williams, Superintendent of Rock Island–Milan School District 41. With decades of experience in education and leadership, Dr. Williams brings passion, innovation, and a deep commitment to student success to her work in Rock Island. We discuss: 🔹 Dr. Williams' personal journey to Rock Island and what drew her to the...

Building the American Dream with Isaac Carr | Rock Island Line Podcast In this episode of Rock Island Line, I sit down with Isaac Carr, Citizenship Director at the Quad City Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees (QCAIR). Isaac shares his journey to Rock Island and the powerful personal and professional experiences that led him to support immigrants and refugees in building new lives here in the Qua...

In this episode of Rock Island Line, I sit down with Rev. Laura Evans Mahn — founder of Nest Café, Rock Island's "pay-what-you-can" restaurant that's redefining how a city can come together around a meal. Laura shares her journey to Rock Island at age 34, how she unexpectedly fell in love with the city, and the powerful ideas that gave birth to Nest Café. We explore the philosophy behind Nest — no...

Today's episode covers the July 14, 2025 Rock Island City Council meeting - a complex meeting that covered a lot of ground. You can view the agenda and watch the City Council meeting through the City of Rock Island website. Express episodes bring you the highlights in case you don't have time to watch the 2 hour 25 minute meeting yourself :) Visit www.rockislandline.com to learn more about all the...