Good Day
Cedar Rapids
Friday, August 15th, 2025
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Cedar Rapids.
Good morning, Cedar Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 15th of August.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Lutheran Services helped refugees after DOGE cuts reduced federal funds that put 191 people at risk and led to 90 layoffs. The group supported war refugees and Afghan refugees and will help for at least 90 days—community donations are filling the gap. CBS 2 Iowa
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Downtown Cedar Rapids announced winners of the second Race for the Space competition, where Dr. Tiffany Carr of ThirdSpace Create won a storefront space and $15,000 while DawnLarie Michel’s Downtown Dogs Canine Social Club received $10,000 (the contest was part of the Downtown Vision Plan to support local entrepreneurship). Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Javoni Butler from Waterloo was sentenced to 37 years in federal prison for smuggling and distributing fentanyl—he arranged shipments from Mexico and was convicted on federal charges—after his criminal network was exposed. KCRG
- ➤ Robert Owen Bell, 48, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for distributing over 1.5 kg of ice meth in Cedar Rapids and Marion—he pleaded guilty on Feb 11 after investigators used a confidential tip that led to his vehicle being stopped in late 2023. KWWL
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Local college officials say that although a few student visas were revoked last year, both Augustana and St. Ambrose will soon welcome more international students to campus—33 at St. Ambrose this fall and about 170 at Augustana in spring 2026. Staff work closely with students facing visa delays and concerns after thousands of nationwide revocations. KCRG
- ➤ More than 20 Cedar Rapids school principals will attend the Farmer’s Market Saturday to collect signatures for a school district bond petition organized by Believe in CR Schools. The group has gathered over 5,000 signatures and plans to file the petition in early September (organizers say the move aims to strengthen support for local public education). KCRG
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Starting today, Iowa law enforcement and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau are working together to pull impaired drivers off the road through September 1—this action follows a summer in which 45 people died, with 30% of those deaths linked to impaired driving. KCRG
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR This compact, easy-to-use rangefinder is packed with features like slope adjustment, flag-lock with vibration feedback, and a USB-C rechargeable battery. Lightweight and accurate, it’s a great choice for casual or beginner golfers looking for reliable performance. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Cedar Rapids.
-
Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market
7:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Cedar Rapids Downtown District — Free entry — Explore an award-winning market with entertainment, food, and 200 vendors.
-
Qi Gong at the Park
10-10:45 a.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Breathe deeply, move gently, and connect with nature through the practice of Qi Gong.
-
The Crafty Bunch
6-8 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Bring your craft project and connect with fellow craft enthusiasts in a fun social setting.
-
8th Annual REALTOR® Olympics
10:30 a.m. — Sag Wagon — Registration required — Participate in a fun-filled day of games including bags and volleyball for REALTORS® and affiliates.
-
Jazz Under The Stars
6:30-9 p.m. — Noelridge Park — Bring your own picnic or enjoy food from vendors while listening to local jazz artists celebrate KCCK’s 50th anniversary.
-
Rock the Block: Fresh Fighters
6-8 p.m. — NewBo City Market — Free entry — Experience an evening of live music with local and national bands at this vibrant summer concert series.
-
Monday Morning Story Time
10-10:30 a.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful morning of storytelling for kids and caregivers.
-
Beloit Sky Carp vs Cedar Rapids Kernels
1-4 p.m. — Veterans Memorial Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an afternoon of minor league baseball action in Cedar Rapids.
-
Kitty Steadman Live Performance
7:30 p.m. — Opus Concert Cafe — Ticket prices vary — Experience the captivating sounds of Kitty Steadman, the soulful lead singer of Drop Dead Dangerous.
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.
A Budget-Friendly Golf Rangefinder with Premium Features
The REVASRI NK‑1000 rangefinder is a surprisingly capable option for golfers who want accuracy without spending a fortune.
Priced under $50, it includes features like slope adjustment, flag-lock with vibration feedback, and a rechargeable USB-C battery. Plus, it’s compact and lightweight, easily locks onto targets, and seamlessly switches between yards and meters. It’s a great pick for casual or new golfers looking for reliable performance at a wallet-friendly price point.
Bonus: Shop more top-rated and best-selling golf products.
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Cedar Rapids.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
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.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Cedar Rapids and across Iowa. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Good Day Cedar Rapids
A free Cedar Rapids community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://gooddaycedarrapids.com/sitemap