CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Horizon Science Academy is delaying its opening in Cedar Rapids since the group does not yet have a facility. The free, non-profit elementary charter school originally planned to open a location at Radiant Church on Blairs Ferry Road Northeast. This would be the first elementary charter school in Cedar Rapids. The new campus was scheduled to open in August and enrollment was also open, aiming for 70 students to enroll. Anyone in Cedar Rapids area was able to enroll. Earlier this month Radiant Church told the school it would not move forward with the lease agreement. Horizon Science Academy is looking at other long-term facility options to now open in August 2027.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) -The Iowa City Community School District has received 19 applications for its interim superintendent position. The district says the applicants are expirenced educational leaders with different perspectives from Iowa and across the country. Superintendent Matt Degner was allowed to leave his contract early and move to a different position. Degner is transitioning to the role of Secondary Schools Executive Director, but is leaving behind a terrible financial crisis. While superintendent, Degner took out a $10 million loan in August 2025 to help cover payroll expenses. The district also hasn’t completed an audit in three years, causing it to lose its credit rating. The Board of Education and search consultants from Grundmeyer Leader Services are looking over applications and deciding which candidates’ experiences align with the district and its needs and priorities. The district will begin interviews with candidates. KCRG reached out to the district and they reiterated their goal is to have an interim superintendent in place by July 1.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced she has joined other Republican-led states in a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) regarding gender-affirming surgery. The suit alleges WPATH has made deceptive claims about the necessity and efficacy of pediatric medical transition drugs, surgeries and treatments. AG Bird says the FTC received hundreds of reports from patients of medical transition and their parents about medical complications that were not adequately disclosed to them. AG Bird said, “WPATH recommends permanent, irreversible treatments and surgeries on children without solid medical science. Patients and their families have been deceived into believing the organization is an authoritative, medical body, when in truth, their recommendations are based on politics and ideology. Parents and children deserve better.” The FTC and AG Bird are seeking WPATH only make recommendations that are based on, “peer-reviewed, scientific and medical evidence.” They are joined in this lawsuit by the attorneys general of Alaska, Nebraska and Texas.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies took an Iowa City man into custody who they say shot at a salesperson. 74-year-old Davis Kelch is charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. Documents show the incident happened June 15 in the 5000 block of Rapid Creek RD NW at 7:50 p.m. when Kelch intentionally pointed a firearm toward a person. According to the complaint, the victim went up to Kelch’s home to try and sell something. Kelch asked them to leave and when they turned around to say something, authorities say Kelch fired toward them. Kelch is currently in custody at the Johnson County Jail.
