CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center is looking to hire hundreds of workers as the new Cedar Rapids casino gets closer to opening its doors. The casino held its “DAY ONE” job fair Wednesday at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center, looking to hire between 350 and 370 employees ahead of its planned opening in November. Casino leaders said the hiring push represents a significant change in the opening process. After months of construction and planning, the focus is now shifting to hiring and training the people who will operate the casino. Cedar Crossing is hiring for positions across the property, including gaming, food and beverage, security, housekeeping and maintenance. Applicants at Wednesday’s event had the opportunity to interview on site, with some qualified candidates receiving job offers on the spot. Casino leaders said they hope to fill about 90% of the available positions through the hiring push and will continue hiring afterward if necessary.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Dozens of people protested outside the Alliant Energy building in Cedar Rapids over the company’s proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center. The 720-megawatt natural gas power plant would cover 160 acres west of Cedar Rapids in what is known as the Morgan Valley area. Opponents say they’re concerned about the plant’s environmental and health impacts. KCRG-TV9 reached out to Alliant Energy regarding the protest. In a statement, the company said the center will help meet growing energy demand while maintaining reliable electric service. They also shared the project is, “undergoing a regulatory review process to ensure compliance with federal, state and local environmental and public health requirements.”
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Davenport man has been sentenced to serve 6.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a string of burglaries in Cedar Rapids. 24-year-old Alexander Jessop was arrested in June 2025 after police matched his description to that of a man seen in repeated burglaries in the area. He was indicted on federal charges in October following a search of his residence by police. Jessop pleaded guilty in April to two counts of unlawful transport of firearms.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Cedar Rapids man who pleaded guilty to child sex abuse crimes has been sentenced to life in prison. 32-year-old Darryl Porter took an Alford plea, meaning he admitted to no guilt, in May of this year. Porter was accused of sexually abusing a child under the age of 14 for two years between 2022 and 2024. Porter received his sentence in court on September 3.
