DUBUQUE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Cedar Rapids woman who died in a fatal Dubuque County accident on Monday has been identified. The Iowa State Patrol confirms 81-year-old Margaret Bockenstedt died in a head-on collision near Highway 52 and Double J Lane on Monday morning shortly before 10:00 a.m. Officials say Bockenstedt crossed the center line and collided with a F-250. Three occupants of the F-250 were transported to an area hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – The University of Iowa’s new taxpayer-funded Center for Intellectual Freedom is pausing classes until 2028, according to the Iowa Board of Regents. The sudden pause comes shortly after state lawmakers passed a last-minute measure to require University of Iowa students to complete at least six credit hours from the center to earn an undergraduate degree. During a recent meeting, the center’s advisory board said it’s focusing on implementing the new law and launching a search for a permanent director. The permanent director will develop the center’s core curriculum and hire faculty. The state has allocated $2 million for the center. The mandatory course requirement will take effect at the same time the center is scheduled to reopen, which will be the fall semester of 2028.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch/KCRG) – Close to two years after announcing plans for their strategic combination, two Iowa Catholic universities say they’re still waiting for final approvals from the U.S. Department of Education and its accrediting body, delaying a full merger and affecting the institutions’ financial picture. St. Ambrose University in Davenport and Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids have nearly completed the process that will turn Mount Mercy from its own institution into a college of St. Ambrose, but maintaining its own campus and extracurricular activities. It has been just over one year since St. Ambrose was named as Mount Mercy’s corporate owner. Amy Novak, president of St. Ambrose University, said the institutions have received “generally speaking, very strong affirmation” from the bodies that oversee their accreditation, including the Higher Learning Commission. However, final approval from the U.S. Department of Education and Higher Learning Commission are still required before some internal processes can come together. Mount Mercy University President Todd Olson said the institutions received a provisional program participation agreement from the Department of Education in the spring. The delay in final approval meant the universities “can’t realize all of the savings that we had anticipated” in contractual areas, Novak said.
MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – The Marion Hy-Vee broke a Guinness World Record on Wednesday. Pineapples were flying off the shelves as the store set the record for the most pineapples sold in one hour. It doubled as their annual fundraising event for Camp Courageous. One dollar from every pineapple purchased during the hour went directly toward supporting the camp. They ended up selling 2,933 pineapples and raised $2,933. Store Director Kyle Odem said they wanted to bring more awareness to the fundraising cause by setting the world record. Camp Courageous will keep the fundraising going by hosting the annual Pineapple Gala fundraiser on August 21.
