IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Johnson County judge has ruled that the State Historical Society of Iowa must maintain a research center in Iowa City, reversing the state’s plan to close the Centennial Building and move its collections to Des Moines. Mary Bennett, a retired historian who has fought alongside other historians and archivists to save the building, said the ruling came after nearly a year of legal action. “We’re thrilled because we feel like we’ve prevailed and the laws on our side,” Bennett said. Bennett and other historians and archivists filed a lawsuit last September after the state announced plans to close the center and move collections to Des Moines. “This is the final ruling as far as we’re concerned that we have to reverse the decision to close it. We have to bring the institution back to a healthy state,” Bennett said. Iowa Code says the state must have a research center in both Des Moines and Iowa City. The state argued it could use University of Iowa space instead. On Thursday, a judge ruled that was not enough and that the state violated the law by closing the center. Bennett said the fight is about making sure pieces of Iowa’s past don’t disappear behind a locked door. “We need to continue to protect these resources. They’ve been under threat, they’ve been at risk, and so we need to bring them back to a good place and make them available,” Bennett said. The Centennial Building has been closed to the public since December. Since then, the state moved hundreds of archives to Des Moines. Bennett said the next step is bringing the Centennial Building back to life. “They’re going to have to bring materials back. We have to re-establish order in the building. We have to find staffing and bring some staffing back,” Bennett said. The group challenging the closure and the state now have 30 days to work out how the judge’s ruling will be carried out, including what happens to the materials already moved from Iowa City. “This material belongs to you and all Iowans. It was collected for your benefit. And let’s honor that promise that we made,” Bennett said.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — More than 1,200 people gathered in Des Moines for the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual banquet, where Republican leaders urged voters to turn out in November. Gov. Kim Reynolds and other Republican leaders pointed to what they described as accomplishments, including income tax cuts and property tax reform. Reynolds said those policies could change under Democratic leadership. With several races drawing national attention, Republican leaders pushed back on polling showing competitive races in Iowa. They told supporters not to get discouraged and to focus on turnout in November. Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy told the crowd that conditions in Washington will not improve if voters elect what he called bad candidates. “The water in Washington DC will never clear up until you get the pigs out of the creek,” Kennedy said. Inflation and the cost of living are on many voters’ minds heading into the midterms. Kennedy attributed current inflation to the war in Iran and said the war would be over within six months. The war has lasted seven months so far.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Cedar Rapids readers have a new library to explore after the Busse Branch welcomed its first visitors Saturday. The branch replaces the Ladd Library and is located on the southwest side of the city. Library staff and volunteers moved more than 50,000 books and other items into the new location over a 6-week period. The branch is named after the Busse family, whose foundation donated $3.5 million to the library’s capital campaign. The new branch is also funded by $6 million in the city of Cedar Rapids’ American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and $4 million in Linn County’s ARPA funds. The new branch is located at 1845 Sandberg Lane, off of 20th Avenue and Edgewood Road SW. The city of Cedar Rapids is also working on building a new park right outside the library.
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — One Iowa school district has canceled its homecoming football game and postponed its dance due to bad student behavior. According to a news release from the Oskaloosa Community School District, the district and local authorities are investigating reports of vandalism and more inappropriate behavior by students. “While some activities involved traditional homecoming celebrations, the school leadership and law enforcement also received reports of vandalism, racial slurs, inappropriate language directed toward staff members, and actions that caused families to feel threatened or unsafe,” the release said. “These reports are being investigated.” Oskaloosa (0-3) was supposed to host Washington (2-1) Friday night. The district has also canceled a homecoming pep assembly Friday. The homecoming dance has been postponed until further notice. “Students involved have been asked to self-report to the high school office by noon Monday and take responsibility for their actions,” Fisher wrote in the letter. Oskaloosa Activities Director Jamie Jacobs said district leaders are hoping students will learn a lesson about accountability. “Our responsibility is to support our students, staff, and families while also holding people accountable when their actions do not reflect the expectations and vision culture of Oskaloosa Schools,” Jacobs said. “Accountability is also an opportunity to learn. We want our students to understand the impact their choices have on others, make things right where harm has occurred, and demonstrate through their actions how we move forward together. Showing love is often through accountability and high expectations.”
