Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity is building a new home for Hailey (a local mother) at 1222 20th Ave. SW with a $35,000 Transamerica Foundation grant; Transamerica employees will volunteer on Sept.

23 and local high school students will gain carpentry skills at the site.

Jefferson Lines is moving the Cedar Rapids depot to Lindale Mall today, with a new ticketing kiosk near center court and staff available to streamline boarding outside the Von Maur entrance.

Schedules may update to match the change and continue offering access to a 17-state network.

Eastern Iowa communities are set to host more than 25 festivals this fall, offering Oktoberfests, renaissance fairs and family-friendly fun at venues in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids.

Events begin Tuesday, Sept. 22 and run through October.

Vintage Market Days will be at Hawkeye Downs Expo Center from Sept.

25 to 27, featuring original art, furniture, clothing, jewelry, live music, and more; visitors shop Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (9:30 a.m. with online tickets) and Sunday 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with children 12 and under free.

A report from the Common Sense Institute showed Midwest inflation rose to 3.6% in August—above the national rate of 3.4%—and prices increased 30.3% since 2020, with typical households spending $60,480 more overall and $1,492 extra monthly.

The data suggests steady price pressure in the region.

The Iowa Department of Education today opened applications for federal water quality grants for public schools and childcare centers to test drinking water for lead.

Priority goes to facilities built before 1985, centers for kids under six and schools with high free-lunch enrollment, on a first-come-first-served basis while funds last.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library’s new Busse Branch will open Saturday with a celebration starting at 10 a.m. outside the library at 1845 Sandberg Lane Southwest — there will be a ribbon cutting, tours, refreshments and special features like a drive-up holds pickup window.

Researchers at Monarch Research in Linn County spotted a federally endangered bumblebee among native flowers today, suggesting that habitat conservation may be aiding the species; they advise residents to add native plants (and woodlands) to support pollinators.

Surgery Center Cedar Rapids celebrates 25 years of outpatient care and has performed over 184,400 procedures since it began in 2001 in partnership with UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital.

The center offers specialties including orthopedics, ophthalmology, and general surgery in Cedar Rapids.