Cedar Rapids, Linn County | featured news

IOWA CITY — Given fervent opposition to a proposed $230 million University of Iowa Health Care hospital in North Liberty — including the economic threat posed to community providers like Mercy Iowa City — the State Health Facilities Council on Wednesday narrowly denied UIHC permission to proceed — halting the project for now.

More than 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccination have been administered as of 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to data from the Iowa Department of Public Health. The new milestone comes as state officials are facing criticism for what has been deemed Iowa public health officials called poor planning when it comes to distribution.

DES MOINES — A $36.5 million increase in state supplemental aid for Iowa’s 327 K-12 public school districts next year is on its way to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk for her expected signature.Republicans who control the Iowa Senate voted 31-18 Wednesday to approve a 2.4 percent increase in state funding.

DES MOINES — State senators on Wednesday approved legislation intended to crack down on Iowa businesses that sell products used to smoke meth or other illicit drugs.

JOHNSTON — Within days of abandoning a plan for a statewide call center to help residents set up coronavirus vaccine appointments, Iowa officials Wednesday said they also have canceled a deal with Microsoft to develop a centralized online system.

DES MOINES — An Iowa lawmaker used the debunked claim of widespread election fraud to explain his support Wednesday for a sweeping election bill that would reduce the early voting period by more than a third and limit the ways voters receive and submit early ballots.

Court papers filed in Washington, D.C., reveal more about the Cedar Rapids man facing federal charges in connection with last month’s violent attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

EAGLE GROVE, Iowa — Police have identified a man killed and a suspect who was arrested in a stabbing at a northern Iowa pork processing plant.

Cupid took aim in Fayette County last week, slinging more than 3,000 arrows at unsuspecting valentines, spreading love and smiles across the miles.Some flowers were red, and no one was blue. Some doughnuts were eaten — just a few — 1,361, delivered with personalized notes for $2. Anonymous donors added nearly 3,000 flowering plants for delivery, too.

Gov. Kim Reynolds will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday to provide the latest news about the COVID-19 vaccine and virus in Iowa. Watch it live in the player above. 
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