MARION, Iowa — It was a packed house for the final day of a popular diner in Marion. West End Diner closed its doors on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, after opening in 2019 in a late-1800s brick home at 809 Sixth Ave. The diner planned to be open until 2 p.m., but as more menu […]
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Year: 2026
Winter farmers market season underway in...
Iowa’s relatively warm weather might not be the best indicator, but winter farmers are already underway in the state. The last day of the 2026 outdoor season in Eastern Iowa was Oct. 31 at the Iowa City Farmers Market, which held its Halloween at the Market, and in Decorah, which also celebrated Halloween. Hiawatha held […]
Earliest end to Daylight Saving Time hap...
This weekend’s start of Standard Time in most of the United States marks the earliest possible end to Daylight Saving Time. The switch happens at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. The change to Standard Time takes place annually on the first Sunday in November, so Nov. 1 marks the earliest possible date. If you […]
Quaker Oats explosion and fire send bill...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Fire officials said no one was injured during an explosion and fire Saturday afternoon at the Quaker Oats plant in northeast Cedar Rapids. The explosion happened about 4:45 p.m. Oct. 24, 2026, at the plant along the Cedar River, where crowds gathered on the west side to watch. Fire crews encountered […]
Linn County Supervisors reject rezoning ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — After a marathon meeting lasting more than six hours, members of Save Morgan Valley were rewarded with an answer they waited months to hear. During the meeting that spanned Oct. 20 to Oct. 21, 2026, ending around 12:20 a.m., the Linn County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected Alliant Energy’s rezoning request […]
‘Save Morgan Valley’ wins Round 1 in rez
Update Oct. 21, 2026: Charlie Nichols, Linn County’s planning and development director, said during the Oct. 20 Linn County Board of Supervisors meeting that the 3-3 vote was forwarded to the board without any recommendation. See more: Linn Supervisors reject power plant rezoning CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Cheers erupted as Morgan Valley advocates realized the […]
‘No Kings’ rally in Cedar Rapids encoura
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — More than 100 people turned out on a chilly morning in Cedar Rapids to encourage early voting in the midterm elections. The gathering Oct. 17, 2026, at Greene Square was among thousands of “No Kings” rallies held nationwide. Advocates held signs stating “No Kings, Just Voters,” “Complacency kills democracy,” and more. […]
Iowa to see temperatures plummet; possib...
UPDATE Nov. 5, 2026: Areas of Iowa that escaped an October frost may have run out of luck, as lows overnight on Friday, Nov. 6, are predicted to dip down to 30 degrees. Pick the last of your tender veggies while you can. After record or near-record high temperatures earlier this week, Iowa could see […]
Proposed power plant could spell the end...
NOTE: Linn County’s Planning & Zoning Commission will consider rezoning land for the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, and the Linn County Board of Supervisors will have a public hearing and first consideration of the rezoning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, both in Ballroom B of the Hotel […]
Cedar Rapids neighborhood grocery store ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — As he often does, Ben Anderson made a stop Wednesday at his neighborhood grocery store, but this time with a heavy heart. Matthew 25, the nonprofit operating Cultivate Hope Corner Store, announced Sept. 30, 2026, that it will be closing its doors on Dec. 18. “I’ve been coming here since it […]