Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control said the shelter is completely full and urged residents to adopt or foster pets to save lives.

Staff explained that each new adoption creates space for another animal—staffing shortages and recent management changes have made community support more urgent.

Anthony Chan Dixon, a 35-year-old Cedar Rapids man, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison—he shipped over 4,500 fentanyl pills from Arizona to local dealers between 2022 and 2023 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

The trial in Linn County continues as prosecutors present forensic testimony and phone records that suggest Ryan Cooper might have known about his wife’s affair before he was fatally shot in June 2021—Karina Cooper faces first-degree murder charges and co-defendant Huston Danker is also accused amid evidence of scene tampering.

Michael Schappert pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a first-degree murder charge in the 1983 killing of Ronald Novak in Linn County—he was living in Oregon when arrested in May and admitted being at the victim’s home during an interview.

A Cedar Rapids resident won $500,000 in the Iowa Lottery’s Mega Bucks game after buying his winning ticket at Casey’s on Williams Boulevard in Fairfax and claiming his prize at the lottery’s main office in Clive.

The $50 ticket offers 13 top prizes + 12 prizes of $25,000 with overall odds of 1 in 3.09.

Iowa pheasant hunters bagged 460,000 birds in 2024, which is 130,000 fewer than in 2023; DNR biologist Todd Bogenschutz said the count marks the second best harvest in nearly 17 years and shows a recovery from a boom-bust cycle—northern Iowa provided a higher yield than the south.

A new list of Iowa rooftop bars and restaurants shows where to enjoy a summer drink — the guide features venues in Cedar Rapids like Pickle Palace and spots in Iowa City, Cedar Falls and other areas across the state.

Friday Night Music – Airwaves

6-9 p.m. — Cedar Ridge Distillery — Free entry — Enjoy classic rock hits performed by Eastern Iowa’s Premiere Cover Band, Airwaves.

Summer Sound Meditation

3-4 p.m. — Breathing Room Yoga — Ticket required — Experience a soothing sound meditation session with Black Dog Sound Healing Arts.

The Shark Is Broken

Jul 17- Aug 3, 7:30 PM — Mirrorbox Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the behind-the-scenes drama of the iconic film Jaws with this engaging production.

Jazz in July with Confluence

7-9 p.m. — Amana Performing Arts Center — Free will donation — Experience engaging melodic jazz from talented local musicians for one night only.

Street Food Festival

12-6 p.m. — Ellis Park — 10% of sales to homeless shelters — Enjoy a day of local food trucks, music, and family fun.

Culinary Class: Spaghetti alla Chitarra

10:00-11:30 a.m. — NewBo City Market — Ticket purchase required — Learn to make handmade spaghetti using a traditional chitarra tool with a guided expert.

Absolute Science: Laser Show

3:30–4:30 p.m. — Cedar Rapids Public Library - Ladd Library — Free entry — Explore chemical reactions and witness exciting experiments including a soda explosion and high-powered laser demonstrations.

Breakthrough Basketball Camp: Ball Handling & Scoring Skills

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. — Elevate Sports — Variable pricing — Enhance your basketball skills with expert coaching in a fun, high-energy environment.

Women in Leadership with Jane Galarce

8:00-9:30 a.m. — Mount Mercy University Graduate Center — Free entry — Engage with insights from Jane Galarce, Chief of Staff at RSM US LLP, in a morning of networking and discussion.

Elf Night / Christmas in July with the Cedar Rapids Kernels

6:35-9 p.m. — Veterans Memorial Stadium — $12 – $20 — Celebrate Christmas in July with special jerseys and 2-for-1 drinks at the ballpark.