IN FOCUS: 7.24.26 A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller
The Reach Higher! Awards recognize City employees who exemplify excellence and demonstrate an exceptional commitment to service. Bob Reynolds, youth services manager for the library, has been named the recipient of the Spring 2026 Reach Higher! Award. Bob was instrumental in creating and launching the library's new foo
Palo, Iowa, passes data center rules requiring developers to pay for city upgrades
"I implore you to strengthen this ordinance, as other towns have done."
Extreme heat threatens millions across the Midwest
A dangerous stretch of heat is settling over the upper Midwest this weekend, and forecasters across Iowa and South Dakota are urging people not to shrug it off. The National Weather Service has posted extreme heat warnings and advisories from eastern Iowa to the Sioux Falls area, with the worst of it expected Sunday an
Man acquitted of murder gets 5-year sentence on gun charge
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - A man acquitted of first-degree murder in a 2025 shooting was sentenced Friday to five years in prison on a gun charge, though a judge said he will receive credit for time served and there is no mandatory minimum he must serve. A jury found...
Explore the Rich Heritage of These 10 Historic Churches in Iowa, Pennsylvania
If you are standing in quiet Iowa, Pennsylvania, it might seem surprising that one small place name can open the door to such a sweeping story of faith, architecture, and community memory. This guide follows that curiosity, using Iowa, Pennsylvania as your point of departure while tracing eleven remarkable churches who
Cedar Rapids man charged in child exploitation sting pleads not guilty
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - A Cedar Rapids man charged as a result of a child exploitation sting operation has pleaded not guilty. 23-year-old Gabriel Kelley pleaded not guilty to the charges of grooming and enticing a minor. He also waived his right to a speedy trial. According to a...
Cedar Rapids man accused of providing THC to teenage girl, lascivious conduct
CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was arrested this week on charges of distributing THC to a minor, grooming and lascivious conduct, according to a Linn County Attorney's Office criminal complaint. Investigators said Deryan L. Sims, now 37, sent a 15-year-old girl text messages between June 8 and June 23, 2025, reques
Cedar Crossing Casino to announce grand opening date, concert lineup
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - The casino coming to Cedar Rapids is sharing major announcements next week. The Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center says it will share construction updates, as well as a new grand opening date and reveal its entertainment lineup. The announcement will be at 4 p.m....
Cedar Rapids mayor defends data center projects amid kickback claims, NDA questions
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell is defending the city’s support for two hyperscale data centers under construction in the Big Cedar Industrial area, pushing back on claims of kickbacks and addressing concerns about water capacity, utility rates, and economic impact. A third, smaller dat
Linn County considers court-ordered mental health treatment program modeled after Johnson County
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Johnson County is the first county in Iowa to operate a court-mandated treatment program for people with psychosis, and now Linn County is considering a similar approach. The program, called Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), coordinates courts, doctors and social workers to ensure people

















