Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

Former CRST training facility, The Commons on 16th, is a three-year pilot bridge housing program — offering 85 units with on-site services to help single adults transition from homelessness to permanent housing in November.

Organizers will initially lease 65 units to ensure adequate support.

Downtown streets will close from 11 a.m. Saturday through 1 a.m. Sunday for Market After Dark, an annual event running from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on Aug.

29, and visitors are advised to park in nearby ramps including accessible options.

Hy-Vee's Back-to-School Community Food Drive raised over $295,000 for local food banks and pantries.

The campaign ran Aug.15-23 and offered multiple donation options so families could ease back-to-school costs.

The African American Museum of Iowa will open a new exhibit, Right Where We Belong: Black Resilience, Culture & Community, 1964-1999, on Sept.

4. It will highlight local achievements after the Civil Rights Act and run until Aug. 14 next year at the museum on 12th Avenue Southeast.

Grant Wood Elementary School in Cedar Rapids earned national recognition for its third-grade literacy achievement by surpassing expected reading rates and earning an Exceptional School designation from The 74’s Bright Spots project—school leaders credit focused teaching and community support.

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, the Iowa Utilities Commission ordered Alliant Energy to lower natural gas rates for over 200,000 customers, with charges falling by $0.01886 per therm to save nearly $2.6 million overall (aiming to pass operational savings from call center outsourcing and worker buyouts to consumers).

With only about 1,000 officials registered (350 fewer than last season), the Iowa High School Athletic Association warned that high school football games could see scheduling adjustments as the referee shortage looms.

The association is expanding its Ref-Reps program to train student officials.