Good Day
Cedar Rapids
Monday, February 16th, 2026
Good morning, Cedar Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 16th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Recent legislative proposals have pushed Cedar Rapids Public Library staff to create an advocacy toolkit to help residents understand how a bill becomes law and share feedback with lawmakers. Library officials say the resource will support ongoing efforts to preserve community access to a full range of materials. The Gazette
- ➤ A Cedar Rapids native couple asked guests at their October 2025 wedding (rather than giving traditional gifts) to support the Arc of East Central Iowa, with attendees donating $3,600 and items from the nonprofit’s Amazon wish list as a meaningful gesture. KCRG
- ➤ At Sunday's game, Cedar Rapids Titans fans battled in a halftime pillow fight that collected 250 pillows for Central Furniture Rescue — a nonprofit helping families coming out of homelessness. Some opposing team players also took part. KCRG
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A historic mansion on Third Avenue SE now houses Crazy Plant Gal, a plant shop that opened on Feb. 12. Owner Kim McGraw, a registered nurse, sells hundreds of plants + handmade candles and gifts from the 1800s landmark where her family lives. CBS 2 Iowa
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Cedar Rapids officials launched the Garbage Truck Art Project 2026 to transform four garbage trucks into mobile art canvases that reflect the city's spirit. Artists must submit designs by Mar. 22 and selected participants will earn a stipend ($1,250) per truck. KWWL
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Representative Wheeler of Hull, head coach at Unity Christian, proposed extending no-contact periods for high school sports—including three extra summer days and added breaks in November, December, and spring—as the bill, which passed the House Education Committee last week on a 20-3 vote, moves toward a full House vote. Radio Iowa
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Drivers in southwest Cedar Rapids face a temporary closure of 76th Avenue SW from Tissel Hollow Road to Cherry Valley Road today as crews complete bridge upgrades; local access remains open and a detour (via Lefebure Road to Wright Brothers Boulevard and then Cherry Valley Road) guides traffic. CBS 2 Iowa
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Iowa native William Foege, whose global vaccination strategies helped end smallpox, died in January in Atlanta. His work saved millions in marginalized communities (he grew up in Decorah) and left a lasting Iowa legacy. KCRG
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Free Volunteer Tax Assistance
12-8 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free service — Get help with tax preparation and filing from caring VITA volunteers in a community-focused setting.
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Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) Program
1-2:30 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Celebrate life and explore wellness topics in a supportive community setting.
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Community Writers Circle
1-2 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Connect with fellow writers and enhance your skills in a supportive environment.
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Pet Rock Live Performance
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Paramount Theatre — Ticketed event — Relive the smooth sounds of the 1970s with PetRock's captivating performance of soft rock classics.
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Murder Mystery Club
6-7:30 p.m. — Cedar Rapids Public Library - Ladd Library — Free entry — Dive into a thrilling mystery and collaborate with fellow detectives to uncover the truth at the library.
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For the Love of Plants - Hiawatha Public Library Plant Club for Teens
4-5 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Engage in a supportive atmosphere for teens to learn and grow their plant knowledge.
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Tai Chi for Older Adults
10-11 a.m. — Cedar Rapids Public Library — Free entry — Experience a 12-week journey into the gentle art of Tai Chi, building skills week by week.
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Composting for Beginners
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Discover the essentials of composting and how to get started at home.
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Dungeons & Dragons for Adults
5-8 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Engage in exciting Dungeons & Dragons adventures in a friendly adult setting.
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Paws to Read
6:30-7 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — A tale-wagging good time for all featuring reading with furry friends.
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Reveal the authorAbout Good Day Cedar Rapids
Welcome to the Good Day Cedar Rapids, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Cedar Rapids, Iowa community. If you like the Good Day Cedar Rapids, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Cedar Rapids.
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