Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

Linn County is asking residents to name eight snowplows as part of a public contest organized by the Secondary Road Department.

The county will accept online entries from Aug. 27 to Sept. 4 (residents must be 18 or older) and voters can choose winners from Sept. 23 to Oct. 2.

Staff and volunteers moved 50,000 books from Ladd Library to the new Busse Branch, which features expanded children's areas, two courtyards and a discovery garden; funded by the Busse family and ARPA, the branch will open on Sept.

19 — off Sandberg Lane with a new park planned nearby.

The Economic Alliance is strengthening regional growth as the City invests to boost local business, workforce, and community ties — helping businesses tap new markets and expand job opportunities across Cedar Rapids and nearby counties.

Jefferson and Washington high schools in Cedar Rapids introduced new Freshman Academy spaces this week to help ninth graders adjust to high school routines by grouping core classes and support staff to ease navigation.

It creates a smaller community that supports academic and personal growth during the high school transition.

Voters across 18 Iowa counties will decide on Nov.

3 whether to approve an $88 million bond for Kirkwood Community College to renovate facilities, update equipment, and expand programs that serve local students and community members.

Officials held a public meeting this week on plans to upgrade or remove the dangerous Palisades-Kepler Park dam to balance safety and recreation (fishing remains a priority); the next meeting is set for November with construction expected to start in 2028.

Atkins City Council sent a letter opposing the Morgan Valley Energy Center rezoning.

The facility, planned west of Cedar Rapids near Highway 30 and Benton-Linn Road, raised concerns about air and water quality + stormwater runoff; Linn County and state officials will decide.

Political texts sent by an AI bot from the group (Friends for Peace) have reached Cedar Rapids residents asking for opinions on the U.S.-Israel relationship, said local cybersecurity expert Aaron Warner of ProCircular.

He advised not replying as the bots continue learning and scaling their reach.

Linn County has opened a contest for residents to name eight county snowplows with submissions accepted until Sept.

4 and public voting scheduled from Sept. 23 to Oct. 2 — winners will receive a Linn County swag bag and an invitation to take photos with their snowplows.

Cedar Rapids fire leaders plan to refurbish and rebuild six stations with dedicated decontamination areas to reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

The proposal is part of a $60 million bond that voters will decide on Nov. 3 — a move aimed at protecting firefighter health.

Elev8 Golf Club in North Liberty opens today at 595 Country Lane (Suite 3) and offers an indoor experience with fittings, coaching, and family activities through Sunday.

The grand opening weekend also includes vendor demos, trunk shows, and free clinics for all ages.

Three Hawkeyes—Kade Pieper at #40, Trevor Lauck at #54, and Zach Lutmer at #72—made ESPN’s Top 100 college players rankings; the team faces Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct.

3.