Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

The Commons on 16th, a pilot housing project for 85 chronically homeless individuals, will open in November at the former CRST Headquarters to provide single apartments and on-site services (including medical care and employment assistance) as part of a county-city initiative.

Flip N Fizz is set to open soon at 1500 20th St SW.

The new restaurant will serve smashburgers and custom dirty sodas with online ordering (updates available on Facebook).

Families in Cedar Rapids are preparing for back-to-school expenses as rising costs pressure budgets with average school supply spending per child up nearly 8% from last year + local experts advise planning affordable, balanced meals to stretch spending.

The trend has locals thinking ahead to manage necessary costs.

Coe College is launching a reduced-credit business administration degree program for adult learners starting this fall.

The online program requires 96 credits from 24 eight-week courses that cover management, finance, and marketing while accepting previous community college credits.

Iowa landowners and residents are asked to report monarch roosts as thousands of butterflies head south to Mexico this fall.

Reports (including photos, location details, and counts) will help researchers track migration routes and protect key habitats.

Flock Safety announced new safeguards for its license plate reader network in Cedar Rapids—lowering data retention to seven days and mandating case codes and Audit Assistance for searches.

The Cedar Rapids PD said it already uses similar measures and will review the new changes for added privacy.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Girl Scout Day on Wednesday, allowing local Girl Scouts to meet county government, a mayor, a judge, and a state lawmaker during a roundtable.

The event gave young women insights on government leadership positions.

Iowa providers (including House of Mercy in Des Moines) may soon get extra federal funds for an in-home peer support program that helps families overcome addiction so children can stay at home.

Gov. Reynolds and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that a start date is pending.

Local radon experts urge homeowners to test for the gas since summer readings are more accurate, following concerns over high cancer rates linked to radon.

Honor Radon Mitigation is offering September discounts for low-income families, and testing kits are available at hardware stores.