From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
A proposed Cedar Rapids casino cleared a key hurdle after state regulators essentially did nothing. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission decided to take no action on a petition to block the casino license application. Supporters of Riverside Casino had petitioned the Board to reject the Cedar Crossing Casino proposal. They argued Linn County is ineligible for a gaming license because of the wording on a ballot measure by county voters back in 2021. The board was supposed to vote on it but instead decided to take no action. Representatives for Riverside say they may now take the issue to court.
Two bills proposing a five year moratorium on any new casino are now in front of both the Iowa House and Senate. Lawmakers who oppose the expansion of casinos in the state are trying to get a bill passed and approved by the Governor before the Racing and Gaming Commission votes on a Cedar Rapids license on February 6, less than two weeks from this morning.
The man accused of murdering four people in Linn County last June will not have his trial moved. Luke Truesdell faces four counts of first degree murder. Police say he admitted to beating all four victims with a metal pipe. Last week in court, his lawyers asked to have the trial moved out of Linn County, citing extensive media coverage of the case. But prosecutors say jury selection will allow them to know whether a jury could be filled. His trial is now set for April.
A Cedar Rapids nonprofit is having to adjust its services after the Trump Administration paused a program allowing refugees fleeing war and persecution to come to the U.S. The Catherine McAuley Center said five families had travel plans to be in Cedar Rapids by the end of February. All those plans are now cancelled. In 2024, the Center helped 250 people through the resettlement program, many who had waited years.
Linn County is set to test its outdoor warning siren system this afternoon from 1 to 6. Linn County Emergency Management says to disregard these tests if they do go off at any time within that period. They are testing the system because of a malfunction that sounded the sirens in parts of Linn County each of the past two Wednesdays.
