IOWA CITY, Iowa — A crowd of Iowans passionate about the state’s history gathered Aug. 23, 2025, to protest the closing of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s research center in Iowa City. Nearly 200 people listened to speakers inside the Iowa City Public Library for more than two hours before marching several blocks to […]
Brucemore throws birthday party for Gran...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One hundred years ago, Irene Douglas noted in her check register the payment of $182 for her daughter Barbara’s sleeping porch. That August 1925 payment was to artist Grant Wood, just five years before his iconic “American Gothic” painting was completed at his Cedar Rapids studio. Brucemore hosted a birthday party […]
Hoover Elementary neighbors brace for ne...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Neighbors living next to Hoover Elementary pleaded to both the Cedar Rapids School Board and City Council this week to resolve their concerns about plans for a new school. The neighbors asked for a better location for a bus access road, planned to be built just feet from their backyards, and […]
Photos: Czech Iowans at the Wilber, Nebr...
WILBER, Nebraska — Wilber’s claim to the title of Czech Capital of the USA is on full display during the eastern Nebraska town’s annual Czech Festival. While Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is home to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and hosts a number of Czech festivals, the entire town of Wilber embraces Czech […]
Popular neighborhood cornerstone celebra...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One of the most popular attractions in the Mound View neighborhood in northeast Cedar Rapids is celebrating a milestone. Dairy Queen, 501 16th St. NE, marks its 70th year on Aug. 1, 2025, having opened at its current location in 1955. “It’s nostalgia,” owner Karla Sibert said of not only the […]
Cedar Rapids man forced to remove front ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Butterflies and other pollinators frequented the marigolds, sunflowers, cosmos, dill and zinnias at their peak in Will Hatchel’s front yard, alongside numerous goldfinch, Iowa’s state bird. But no longer. Hatchel, who meticulously tended his front yard sanctuary for four years, was forced to cut down the plants this week after an […]
Surprise lilies begin annual show
Keep an eye open to flushes of pink rising in synchronicity in yards throughout Iowa, as surprise lilies make their annual appearance. Like clockwork, the lilies, also known as magic lilies or naked ladies, bloom in Iowa in late summer; starting this year on July 27. If you see them popping up in one part […]
List of potential measles exposure sites...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Health officials have confirmed Iowa’s seventh case of measles this year and released a list of potential measles exposure locations in Eastern Iowa where the adult had visited in recent days. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release that the adult resident of Eastern Iowa […]
Hoover and Van Buren elementary neighbor...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — It was déjà vu for neighbors who spoke out in recent weeks to the Cedar Rapids City Council against proposed new school projects and repeated their message tonight to the Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education. While the rezoning applications for sites at Hoover Elementary, 4141 Johnson Ave. NW, […]
Supporters rally in Cedar Rapids for “go
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Chanting “bring Pascual home,” more than 100 people gathered outside of the Cedar Rapids U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in support of Pascual Pedro, a former Iowa high school soccer star recently deported to Guatemala. Alejandra Escobar, community organizer with Eschucha Mi Voz, a faith-based, immigrant-led nonprofit that helped organize […]