Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said Iowa's Rural Mainstreet Index dropped another 1.5 points in September — rising fuel and fertilizer costs drive uncertainty among farmers, despite improvements in corn and soybean prices that boosted exports by 9.1% from last year.

Central City officials are supporting a new 18,500 sqft data center — expected to generate $19 million in tax revenue to lower property taxes — while some residents plan to address concerns over water, power and noise at a forum tonight hosted by Auram Capital Ventures.

New analysis by RSP and Associates shows Linn-Mar Community School District’s overall enrollment will drop to 7,002 by the 2030-31 school year even as Linn-Mar High School grows nearer its 2,400-seat capacity at 98%—a figure influenced by scheduling and space use, according to Superintendent Nathan Wear.

Governor Reynolds ordered flags flown half-staff across the state today to honor Ray Gaesser, the Adams County farm leader who died on Sept.

5. His visitation and burial (Friday and Saturday) will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lenox.

University of Iowa researchers are offering free arsenic testing kits to private well owners in Mitchell, Floyd, Cedar, Jones, Benton, and Plymouth counties to see if the program should expand statewide.

The project targets areas with little well data since even low arsenic levels may raise cancer risks.

Athletes in Cedar Rapids have access to a state-of-the-art facility at Mission Athletics on Rockwell Drive NE, which grants wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and recovery services including a hyperbaric chamber and red-light therapy to youth and elite competitors during its grand opening on Thursday—featuring USA wrestlers Spencer Lee and Kylie Welker.