KOEL-AM (Oelwein, IA)

Some restaurant chains will end 2026 with more locations than they had at the start of the year. As with most years, 2026 has seen its share of chain restaurants closing locations. Only so many can survive, after all. READ MORE: How to Find the Only Remaining Rainforest Cafe Restaurants But there is one type of chain restaurant that seems to come up more often in conversations about struggling chains: Pizza.

Caitlin Clark fans had plenty to smile about Friday morning as the Indiana Fever star made her FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup debut with Team USA. The United States opened the tournament with a convincing 94-61 win over China, and Clark made sure her first World Cup appearance was one fans will remember. Clark finished the game with 14 points and 11 assists in 25 minutes, giving her a double-double in her first World Cup game. The 11 assists may be the number that stands out the most.

As a hunter, I have seen firsthand why conservation work through Iowa farms matters. It's easy to look at programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program as simply another way for farmers to receive help paying for improvements. But the benefits can extend well beyond the farm operation. Both growing up on a farm and enjoying hunting have provided me with a favorably take on these programs.

When it comes to supporting local non-profits, there might not be an easier and more impactful program than Kwik Care. If you're not aware, Kwik Care has helped raise both funds and awareness for local nonprofits. Each month, Kwik Stop and Dairy Queen help collect donations for a different organization. Donations can be made easily by requesting your total purchase at any of those businesses (including at the gas pumps at Kwik Stop) be rounded up to the nearest dollar.

The resurgence of Pokemon is no joke. A lot of us over a certain age remember Pokemon cards and shows from the 90's and early 00's. We had binders full of Pokemon cards to play with and trade. This year, the original Pokemon cards have gone bonkers in value (feel old yet?).

Governor Kim Reynolds reiterated her desire for a "total ban" on a popular product sold in gas stations, liquor stores, and convenience stores. The product in question comes in the form of liquid, capsules, powder, and even gummies. That item is kratom, which is typically marketed as a natural or herbal supplement for pain and anxiety. Depending on the amount taken, kratom can act as a stimulant at low doses and an opioid-like sedative at high doses, per Yale Medicine.

The bad news? Another Cedar Rapids restaurant will stop regular service. The good news? It is transitioning to a different kind of business. The Future of Peppercorn At The Bank Peppercorn at the Bank opened as a restaurant in 2024. Located inside a historic Cedar Rapids bank building, the restaurant served made-from-scratch dishes that included everything from sea bass to steak. But according to a Facebook post, Peppercorn at the Bank will soon cease to be a restaurant.

If you're an outdoorsman or a hunter and are looking for a great deal on a new shotgun or rifle, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources might just have what you're looking for. Iowa DNR is Auctioning Long Guns The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is tasked with managing the sale of confiscated long guns like shotguns, rifles, and bows. The annual sale is currently underway. The auction is open to anyone who has the state and federal permits needed to make a purchase, according to the DNR.

There is something different about spending a weekend listening to live music on a family farm. Add local art, food, camping, and activities for the kids, and you have the idea behind the 8th Annual Farm Fresh Reggae Music + Arts Festival. The festival returns to Troy's Farm in Springville on September 18th and 19th, bringing more than 30 musical acts to three stages for two days of music and loads of fun.

Over the past few months of working in downtown Cedar Rapids, it has become even more apparent to me just how much this community has to offer. There's plenty to eat, plenty to see and do, and some great opportunities for people looking to start or grow their careers and lives. But my connection to Cedar Rapids goes back much further than the time I have spent working downtown. Growing up, Cedar Rapids was the place we came to for just about everything.