This month’s weather has been a roller-coaster in Iowa, but plant sales that begin later in April forecast that spring planting season is on the way. Gardeners can find locally grown perennials and other plants that perform well in Iowa at the local sales. Tender plants, such as tomatoes, peppers and annual flowers, should wait […]
Roses with symbolic meaning inserted in ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Immigrant advocates gathered for the first time since a towering fence was erected outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Cedar Rapids. An estimated 200 people joined together early on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in support of immigrants who attend check-ins at the building the Department of Homeland […]
Potato planting forecast for Good Friday
Iowa gardeners who stick to the Good Friday potato planting tradition might want to reconsider this year. With the holiday falling on April 3, 2026, soil temperatures are approaching the ideal for planting, but more significantly, the soil will likely be too wet, following a series of thunderstorms in the state. In Iowa, appropriate potato […]
Cedar Rapids School District boundary ch...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids School District Board of Directors has yet to vote on future school closures, but proposed boundary changes signal the vote to come later this month. No public comment was allowed at a special School Board meeting to discuss those changes on March 31, 2026, but the public was […]
Towering fence nearing completion will a...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Advocates say a fence under construction that will block views of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Cedar Rapids will impede efforts to offer support to immigrants. The fence, at the building the Department of Homeland Security leases at 3351 Square D Drive SW, was nearing completion as of […]
Thousands join in peaceful ‘No Kings’ pr
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Several thousand demonstrators took to the streets near downtown Cedar Rapids as part of nationwide “No Kings” rallies against the Trump administration. Braving a brisk wind and temperatures that started near freezing, protesters held signs for more than an hour Saturday, March 28, 2026, along Eighth Avenue SE before marching to […]
Historic Preservation Commission respond...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Immigrant advocates made a last-ditch plea to a city commission to prevent a tall fence from being constructed outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Cedar Rapids. Though smaller in numbers than a previous effort last month, members of the public spoke out at the Cedar Rapids Historic […]
Church and nonprofit team to transform l...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A Cedar Rapids home that has stood the test of time since the Civil War era has been brought back to life after nearly two decades sitting vacant, thanks to a unique partnership. The nonprofit Matthew 25, through the help of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and other community partners, restored […]
Alliant’s proposed gas-fired power plant
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Dozens of residents voiced opposition to a proposed gas-fired power plant during an informational meeting hosted by the Iowa Utilities Commission. More than 250 people crowded into a ballroom March 23, 2026, in The Hotel at Kirkwood Center to hear Alliant Energy’s proposal for Morgan Valley Energy Center, a natural gas-fired […]
ICE disregards Historic Preservation Com...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Disregarding the Historic Preservation Commission’s objections, the Department of Homeland Security indicated it still intends to construct a tall fence around its U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Cedar Rapids. The commission will consider responding to the department’s reply regarding the proposed fence at 3351 Square D Drive SW, during […]