From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
Cedar Rapids Police chief David Dostal says the city saw an overall continued downward trend in crime. Data shows “shots fired incidents” were down slightly, with shoplifting cases falling more than 40 percent. There was an increase in aggravated assaults, with 346 incidents in 2025 compared to 315 the year before. Chief Dostal says the increase is linked to more domestic assault cases.
Iowa Workforce Development says the state’s unemployment rate dropped in November. The number of unemployed Iowans also fell by more than 3,000 from September. Iowa also added 4,600 jobs in November in industries like health services, construction, and trade. The state also ended 2025 with 9,000 more jobs than the year before.
A Michigan man is now charged in connection with a chase that started in Cedar County and ended in Scott County, briefly closing both lanes of Interstate 80 near Davenport Wednesday night. John Kucala is charged with interference with official acts and eluding. Iowa State Troopers stopped Kucala’s pickup around 5:30 p.m. in Cedar County. According to arrest documents, he told troopers they had no authority over him. He drove off, going east to the Quad Cities on Interstate 80. After being stopped there, troopers negotiated with him for an hour, which backed up traffic in both directions, until they arrested him.
Today is Wendy Wintersteen’s last day as the Iowa State University President. Wintersteen is retiring after 8 years. In March, current North Dakota State University president David Cook will take over. The Board of Regents chose Cook as the new President last November.
Marco’s Pizza says now says it hopes to return to Iowa, after abruptly closing all locations in the state. Four Iowa locations closed on January 5, including ones in Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Waterloo, and Davenport. In a statement, Marco’s Chief Development Officer said the franchisee was consolidating to focus on other territories. But the chain plans to expand this year, adding 80 new locations, possibly back in Iowa.
