Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

The Iowa Court of Appeals upheld a 50-year sentence for Cedar Rapids man Kazius Childress who fatally shot Kavon Johnson in January 2022 because Johnson witnessed him kill another man — Childress must serve a minimum of 35 years on each conviction and pay $150,000 in restitution.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is searching for 12-year-old Ky’Mari Kearney—a 5’0″ black male weighing 98 pounds—who was last seen at 4:00 p.m. Friday in Roosevelt wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue shorts, black compression pants, and a Sprayground Ninja Turtles backpack.

On Friday, Cedar Rapids Development Services and Police warned residents about a scam involving fake invoices that ask for compensation fees.

They advised residents to check if an email comes from cedar-rapids.org (emails from other addresses are not from the city) and to call the team if unsure.

The African American Museum of Iowa will honor four leaders at its History Makers Gala on October 2 — Dr. Michael Blackwell, Renee Dunn, Ricki King, and Nolden Gentry were chosen by their peers for their community impact.

Private school enrollment rose almost 9% from the 2023–2024 to the 2024–2025 school year—driven by the state’s education savings account program—while public schools saw a slight 0.63% decline, with Catholic schools leading the gains.

In Cedar Rapids, district leaders warned that years of falling numbers are causing funding cuts and other challenges.

Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control posted on Facebook on Friday that it is meeting state deadlines after past inspections found issues with a leaking roof, mold, and ventilation.

An Iowa Department of Agriculture review on Thursday showed repairs are underway and work is planned to finish by the end of September.

Monday Morning Story Time

10-10:30 a.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free admission — Fun for kids and caregivers to enjoy stories together.

The Crafty Bunch

6-8 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Bring your current craft project for a fun, social crafting night with fellow enthusiasts.

Iowa City Area Real Estate Investor Meetup

6:30-8:30 p.m. — 2343 Grande Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA — Free entry — Explore a historic renovation project with pizza and insights from experienced investors.

Back to School Drive

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free — Support local kids by donating school supplies and clothing for the upcoming school year.

Greeting Card Making Class

2-4 p.m. — NewBo City Market — Ticket required — Learn basic card-making techniques and create three unique greeting cards.

The MOJO: Soul Sacrifice

7-8:30 p.m. — Opus Concert Cafe — Tickets starting at $52 — Experience an unforgettable tribute performance to Santana by Soul Sacrifice.

Hiawatha Public Library Comic Book Club

7-8 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — A gathering for comic book and graphic novel enthusiasts to share their passion and connect with like-minded fans.

Brewnost at Czech Village

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Lion Bridge Brewing Co. — Early Bird tickets available — Savor food and beverages from local and international sources while supporting a cultural mission.

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market

7:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Cedar Rapids Downtown District — Free entry — Explore over 200 vendors offering local food, crafts, and entertainment at this celebrated market.

Fresh Conversations

1-2 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Engage in insightful discussions about nutrition, movement, and community building for older adults.