From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
Opponents of a new casino in Cedar Rapids are scoring victories in the legislature. Members of the Iowa House passed an extension of a five year ban on new casinos statewide. Yesterday’s vote helps set the stage for a full stop to a proposed $275 million Cedar Rapids casino. Opponents want lawmakers to take the casino license approval process away from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, which has scheduled a Thursday vote on the casino proposal. They still need to get the Iowa Senate and the Governor to agree to the move next week.
The Cedar Rapids Community School District held three public meetings in one night concerning its planned College & Career Pathways proposal. The proposal would have students choose a career focus and take classes related to that focus. Next school year, freshmen will have the option to take a freshman seminar. Starting with the 2026-27 school year, the freshman seminar would be required. Then, during the 2027-28 school year, the District would launch what it’s calling its Upper Academy for students.
The heavily traveled Burlington Street bridge in Iowa City is scheduled to be reconstructed, leaving a big headache for travelers and nearby homes and businesses. While plans for renovations are not yet solidified, the city says last night’s public session was a perfect chance to get pedestrians’, bicyclists’, and drivers’ safety concerns into consideration. The city expects construction on the project could start in the Fall of next year.
Add Delaware, Dubuque, Hardin, and Winneshiek to the growing list of Iowa counties that are now under outdoor burn bans. The bans are being put in place because dry conditions could quickly spread fires that could be a danger to life or property. The bans will remain in effect until further notice.
Linn County Emergency Management says it has fully fixed its outdoor warning siren system. Typically, the sirens are only tested once a month. But earlier this month, sirens around the county went off when they weren’t supposed to. It led to a series of testing in the last two weeks. EMA says siren technicians found a degraded part and replaced it.
