Your Ames Voice

Thursday, May 28, 2026

May 28, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Happy Thursday!

I'm excited to introduce to you the Voice's two summer reporting interns! Kate Laffey is a recent Iowa State graduate, and Lara Jones is an incoming ISU senior. It's a pleasure to work with both of them.

Kate wrote our top story about Lynette Pohlman, the retiring chief curator of University Museums. Pohlman helmed University Museums for more than 40 years, and during that time, she mentored students who have since grown to be leaders within the community.

In other news, the city is walking away from its solar panel project, the Ames Alliance brought more than half a billion dollars in new capital investments into the region last year and outdoor music series are back for summer. In Community Voices, responsible waste management is considered with the classic phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle.”

Also, we have obituaries on our website. They are free to submit and read. If you have one to post, please use this submission form.

Thank you for your continued support,


Amber Mohmand, News Editor
[email protected]

Top Story

After 46 years, Lynette Pohlman retires from ISU University Museums.

After 46 years, Lynette Pohlman retires from ISU University Museums

by Kate Laffey | Staff Reporter | Published on May 27, 2026

After 46 years of service, Lynette Pohlman is retiring from her role as Warren and Beverly Madden Endowed Director and Chief Curator of University Museums at Iowa State University.

Throughout her career, she led the establishment of five museums — the Anderson Sculpture Garden, Art on Campus Collection and Program, Brunnier Art Museum, Christian Petersen Art Museum and the Farm House Museum — playing a crucial role in their success. As a student employee in 1971, Pohlman contributed to the opening of the Henry J. Brunnier Galleries in 1975 and created a strong foundation for art in the Ames community.

In 1980, Pohlman officially became director of University Museums, and now, 55 years later, she leaves the University Museums to the next generation of museum professionals.

Heather Johnson, executive director of the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames, first met Pohlman when she was a first-year student at Iowa State University in 1997.

 

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City of Ames

City Council

City walks away from Ames airport solar project

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter

The city won’t be building solar panels at the municipal airport anytime soon.

Civic Calendar

Mon: Building Board of Appeals, 4 p.m., Room 235, Ames City Hall
Mon: Commission on the Arts, 5 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall
Tue: Board of Supervisors, 10 a.m., Administration Building (Nevada)
Tue: Public Art Commission, 5:30 p.m., Room 235, Ames City Hall
Wed: Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall
Thu: Property Maintenance Appeals Board, 4 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall
Thu: Public Nuisance Appeals Board, 5 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall

City Council

Ames lands $581 million in new projects

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter

More than half a billion dollars in new capital investments were brought into the region in 2025 by the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, according to a new report.

 

More from City of Ames

Arts & Entertainment

Music

Your guide to Ames’ live outdoor summer music series

by Anthony Capps | Editor

With summer Ames having arrived, the city’s live music series have also returned. Several long-running outdoor events begin in the coming days and the performances span from rock to country and jazz to pop.

Community Voices

Sustainability

Going Green: Reduce, reuse, recycle

by Nolan Sagan | Contributor

When I learned that in the United States, up to 40% of food is wasted — and most ends up in the landfill — I started paying more attention to food waste at home. I realized I was, in fact, throwing away a lot of food.

 

More from Community Voices

In Other News

ISU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: LAS launches new interdisciplinary initiative on trustworthy AI