DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Dubuque City Council voted Monday to terminate its contract with the only commercial airline flying daily out of the city’s airport. January 15, 2026, will be the last day Denver Air Connection jets depart the Dubuque Regional Airport. Denver Air has offered daily flights connecting Dubuque and the Chicago O’Hare International Airport since November 2024. While the flights are about 50 percent full, Dubuque Regional Airport Director Todd Dalsing has reported ridership needs to be at 80 percent to be self-sustaining. Dubuque agreed to pay Denver Air to cover the difference until ridership rose. That never happened, prompting the council’s decision to end the service. Continuing to pay for the air service would cost the city about $3.5 million annually. Cavanagh said Dubuque has asked the federal government to let the city into the federal Essential Air Service program, which helps airports pay for daily commercial air service, including several in Iowa, like the Waterloo Regional Airport. Unlike those cities, Dubuque has not been let into the program. The Council’s vote to end its subsidy to continue passenger air service also means Dubuque is expected to lose out on future federal funds.
JOHNSTON, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa National Guard has confirmed the names of the soldiers killed in an attack in Syria. They were identified as Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines. They were both members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment. The Iowa National Guard also provided an update on the three soldiers who were wounded in the attack. Two required medical evacuation and are now stable. The third was treated locally and is in good condition. The names of those injured will not be released, as per Department of War policy. The soldiers are among about 1,800 Iowa National Guard deployed to the Middle East in May, part of a counter-terrorism effort called “Operation Inherent Resolve.” Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags be flown half-staff to honor the soldiers.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – UnityPoint Health has selected Jenni Friedly as its new Chief Operating Officer. Friedly has served as Market President for UnityPoint Health–Waterloo since 2023 and has 16 years of operational experience. In her new role, Friedly will oversee operations across all UnityPoint Health markets to drive quality, improve access and strengthen financial performance. Friedly received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Upper Iowa University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Allen College in Waterloo. She is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Academy at UnityPoint Health and serves on numerous non-profit boards in the Cedar Valley. Carolyn Barko, Regional Vice President of Clinic Operations for UnityPoint Clinic–Waterloo Region, will serve as Interim Market President while the organization launches a search for a new president in Waterloo.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A longtime landmark in Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village is entering a new chapter as new owners breathe life into the historic Sykora Bakery building while working to preserve its legacy. For decades, the Sykora Bakery building stood as a symbol of tradition and community in the heart of Czech Village. Now, the space is home to a new business—with more changes planned—while keeping the building’s historic character intact. The building is now partially occupied by LoKey Hat Co., a western-inspired hat shop owned by Candy Nanke. Nanke and her husband, both Cedar Rapids natives, split their time between Iowa and Florida, where Nanke originally started the business. While LoKey Hat Co. now fills part of the building, Nanke said the move wasn’t something she initially expected. Those working inside the building say watching it evolve—while still honoring its history—has been especially meaningful. Nanke said preserving the building’s exterior and overall character has been a top priority, even as updates are made inside to improve functionality. The owners say plans for the rest of the building have not yet been announced, but for now, their focus remains on maintaining the identity of the Sykora Bakery building while welcoming new energy into Czech Village.
