CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Dairy Queen story continues to unfold in Cedar Rapids, with one DQ earning its place as a local historic landmark and the other ready to turn the page on a new chapter. On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously approved the second and third readings to […]
Pro-life isn’t just for the unborn, ‘Dea
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Decades after first accompanying a death row inmate to his execution, Sister Helen Prejean is still full of life. “Can y’all handle southern?” the Catholic nun, who turns 87 next week, joked to an audience of more than 200 people who turned out to hear her speak April 13, 2026, at […]
Local plant sales forecast spring planti...
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 […]