Good Day
Cedar Rapids
Saturday, January 17th, 2026
Good morning, Cedar Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 17th of January.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ First Lutheran Church hosts a free organ concert featuring Dr. Gregory Hand, professor of organ at the University of Iowa, on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. The program will showcase varied organ music played on the church’s Parsons Opus 50 organ known for its versatile sound. CBS 2 Iowa
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ A fact-check shows that critics’ claim for Cedar Rapids Schools Superintendent Tawana Lannin (formerly Grover) being third highest paid nationwide is false, as she tops Iowa with a base salary of $314,150 and over $405,000. The finding is part of debates to close schools amid an $11M deficit. KCRG
- ➤ Cedar Rapids school board will vote Monday, Jan. 19 on a resolution authorizing cost-saving measures for the 2026-27 school year at the Educational Leadership and Support Center (2500 Edgewood Rd. NW) and will seek community feedback on proposals including staff cuts and school closures, with further discussion Feb. 9. The Gazette
- ➤ The Iowa State Board of Education approved the city's fourth charter school, Horizon Science Academy, set to open this fall with about 140 students from kindergarten through fifth grade and class sizes capped at 25. The school will focus on science, technology, engineering and math. KCRG
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Water main repairs will reduce traffic to one lane at the Otis Road (High Drive SE) intersection starting Tuesday for two weeks. The intersection will operate as a three-way stop so drivers should plan extra time. KCRG
- ➤ Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn delivered the 2026 Condition of the Guard address on Thursday and honored two National Guard members killed in Syria, thanking Iowans for their support and outlining plans for modernization — including new maintenance facilities in Sioux City and Waterloo. KCRG
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The City of Cedar Rapids has lifted a boil advisory for homes on High Drive SE, Pine Avenue SE and Riverview Street SE after a water main rupture decreased water pressure and risked bacterial contamination. CBS 2 Iowa
- ➤ Iowa Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) data showed flu cases reached very high levels and COVID-19 climbed to high levels on Friday, Jan. 16, with one Johnson County school district reporting 10% of its community sick. CBS 2 Iowa
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Cedar Rapids will host the GT Arenacross AMA Championship Series this weekend at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse as top supercross riders compete on the nation’s largest indoor Arenacross track (doors open Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m.). CBS 2 Iowa
- ➤ Top-ranked Penn State defeated Iowa 32-3 in a Friday evening wrestling meet on Mediacom Mat at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. The Penn State wrestlers recorded key takedowns and bonus points, while Iowa will return to action on Jan. 23 at Nebraska. KWWL
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Spanish Conversation Practice Meetup
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Vineria Wine Shop — $3 off wine and pizza — Enhance your Spanish skills and connect with fellow language enthusiasts over happy hour specials.
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BIRDCHILD Concert
8-11 p.m. — The Ideal Theater & Bar — Tickets available — Experience Birdchild's lush, joyous journey through all your favorite hits.
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Men's Caregiver Coffee
10 - 11:30 a.m. — The Chris & Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia — Free — A supportive group for male caregivers to share stories and network.
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Moonlight Owl Walk
5-6:30 p.m. — Buffalo Creek Park — $5 per adult, $2 per child — Explore the moonlit path in search of chatty owls while learning about their adaptations.
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Fireside Circle: The Spirits of Winter
6-8 p.m. — Illuminations — $30 registration — Explore the prominent spirits of winter through Scandinavian, Germanic, and Celtic mythology.
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Community Writers Circle
1-2 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — A supportive environment for adults to hone their writing skills.
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Tim's Comedy Show
1:30 p.m. — The Olympic South Side Theater — Tickets available — Experience high-energy comedy from a seasoned performer with a unique perspective on life.
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4-Day PMP Exam Preparation Course
9 AM – 5 PM — Iowa Eye Center — Course Fee Applicable — Enhance your project management skills with a comprehensive PMP certification training.
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Tai Chi for Well-Being
10:30-11:30 a.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Enhance your fitness and balance with Tai Chi led by a wellness expert.
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Community Writers Circle
1-2 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — An enriching space for adults to share and explore their writing journeys.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.
~ Benjamin Franklin
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