Hosted by Jim Mertens this program focuses on the issues facing the communities of Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa. The series also explores topics of national importance. Guests discuss a variety of topics with a unique and local focus along with a community calendar (Out and About) featuring events, exhibits and other activities happening throughout the region.
Airing Thursdays at 7:00PM.
*Encore airing on Sundays at 4:00PM.
Episodes of The Cities are also available for streaming.
Find out what's happening in the region
January 13
Guests: Dr. Clarence Brown, Illinois State Medical Society; and Brett Hitchcock, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse.
January 6
Guests: Janet Hill, Rock Island County Health Department; and Emily Coding, Quad Cities Chamber Talent Manager.
December 30
Guests: Amy Thoreson, Scott County Health Director; and Trisha Burnett, Red Cross of the Quad Cities.
December 23
Guests: Mike Schulz River Cities Reader Editor; and Benjamin Johnson of the Putnam Museum.
December 16
Guests: Kevin Depew RSM Chief Deputy Economist; and Tim Holmes, Orpheum Theatre, Galesburg.
Episodes of The Cities are also available for streaming.
Along with his duties on The Cities, Jim is a WQAD (ABC) news anchor. Before relocating to the Quad Cities, he was employed by WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan as an anchor and reporter for six years. Prior to that, Jim was an anchor and reporter for seven years at WEAU-TV in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He began his professional career in radio in 1978 at WFON-FM in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Jim has received numerous awards for his journalistic reporting. His Long-form journalism has earned him first place awards with the Iowa Associated Press, the Iowa Broadcast News Association, and the Illinois News Broadcasters Association. He was former president of the Iowa Broadcast News Association, as well as the Northwest Broadcast News Association.
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