CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — More than 1,000 Iowans streamed into the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids to listen to gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, the largest town hall turnout of his campaign so far. The Democrat, who is looking to replace retiring Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, spoke and answered questions from the audience […]
Photos: Opening weekend of new Cedar Rap...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Library patrons poured into the new Cedar Rapids Public Library Busse Branch during its opening weekend, Sept. 19-20, 2026. Located at 1845 Sandberg Lane SW, even the road is new; named after Nadine Sandberg, whose estate gift of nearly $2 million funded the purchase of the land where the library branch […]
Photos: Demonstrators in Cedar Rapids pr...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Holding signs and chanting “Save Morgan Valley,” dozens of demonstrators protested the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center in front of Alliant Energy’s downtown headquarters. Advocates gathered Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, outside of Alliant’s office at 200 First St. SE to ask for a voice in “decisions that affect our air, water, […]
Almost lost: Czech resistance fighter’s
By Cindy Hadish CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The images are haunting. A devoted mother, happily holding her children. The same confidant-looking woman, dressed in stylish clothes. Her mugshots, taken at a Nazi prison, and the guillotine that cut her life short. The words Miloslava Gschwindová penned from prison are equally heartbreaking, particularly letters addressed to […]
End of an era: Rural Iowa parish suspend...
CHELSEA, Iowa — An annual festival celebrated for more than 100 years may have served its last chicken and ham dinner. Typically held the Sunday before Labor Day, St. Joseph’s Fall Festival has been canceled for 2026, after the Archdiocese of Dubuque instituted a restructuring plan for the Catholic church in Chelsea, Iowa, among its […]
Photos: 2026 Market After Dark vs. Bruce...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Brief showers only slightly dampened the 2026 Market After Dark, which went head-to-head with the return of Brucemorchestra. Both popular outdoor events took place on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Cedar Rapids. Orchestra Iowa’s concert, on the lawn of the historic Brucemore estate, returned for the first time since 2021, after […]
True crime: From award-winning architect...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Preservationists sometimes refer to the demolition of significant buildings as “truly criminal,” a phrase that has added meaning with the ruin of an iconic mid-Century building in northeast Cedar Rapids. Built as headquarters for the Western Fraternal Life Association (WFLA) in 1958, the award-winning building at 1900 First Ave. NE was […]
Cedar Rapids resident presents City Coun...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — More than 2,600 people signed a petition calling on the city to pause condemnation proceedings on a home that was rebuilt after the 2008 flood and has been occupied since. Ajai Dittmar, of 1426 First St. NW, presented the signatures to the Cedar Rapids City Council during its meeting Aug. 25, […]
Market After Dark returns to downtown Ce...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The popular Market After Dark makes a return to downtown Cedar Rapids this Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. The free event runs from 6:30 to 11 p.m. with more than 100 vendors, live entertainment, beer, wine and more. See photos from last year’s Market After Dark. Vendors will line the streets of […]
Nearly two decades after record flooding...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — More than 18 years after floodwaters inundated Cedar Rapids and upended numerous lives, Ajai Dittmar and Greg Vail remain in a state of suspension. Uncertainty over the future of their home along the Cedar River hasn’t necessarily changed with a decision by the Cedar Rapids City Council to establish the fair […]