Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

HACAP received roughly 40,000 pounds of donated food Wednesday morning from the Church to help support families in eastern Iowa; the contribution is part of America250’s America Gives initiative that will deliver 250 truckloads nationwide.

A new study by WalletHub ranked Cedar Rapids as the 7th safest city — it scored 69.37 overall based on home safety, natural disaster risk and financial stability among the 150 most populous cities.

This ranking is based on 41 measured metrics.

Local fire and police departments will host a free Truck-or-Treat event Tuesday, Oct.

27 from 5 to 7 p.m. The fourth annual event offers candy, vehicle displays, children’s activities, and tours at the Central Fire Station (713 First Avenue SE) with free parking at BMO Bank on First Avenue NE.

The pump house near the Tree of Five Seasons at downtown's Five Seasons Park is being transformed by Iowa City artist Thomas Agran and fellow artist Drew Etienne into a mural — inspired by water and local engineering that ties into the community's history.

A new report from the Common Sense Institute finds Iowa’s data center industry is set to triple by 2031 with $38 billion in new investments and nearly 13,000 jobs added statewide.

Local projects in Cedar Rapids and Linn County account for a significant share of the growing capacity.

Approximately 750 high school students from 42 schools will explore local careers at Kirkwood Community College’s Take a Peek Career Week from Oct.

27-29 + gain hands-on experience through over 50 job shadow experiences with local employers.

The Iowa Afterschool Alliance has partnered with Cedar Rapids-based Tanager to provide statewide support for afterschool and summer programs.

Crystal Hall is now appointed director to lead advocacy and improve access for children and families.

A super El Niño is bringing warmer, wetter fall weather that may delay fertilizer application for local farmers.

Iowa State University Extension Specialist Daniel Andersen warns that using cover crops (which hold nitrogen) and closely monitoring soil temperatures can help protect fertilizer investments before the ground freezes.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced on Wednesday that $2.36 million in payments will be canceled for local consumers with qualifying Snap Finance lease-to-own agreements from 2017 to 2022.

The settlement requires Snap Finance to improve its advertising and disclosure practices and provides $250,000 for consumer education.

Iowa mother Fatou Traore, deported to Sierra Leone last week without a passport, contacted congressional staff from her hotel Tuesday as her family pressed for urgent federal help to return her home before her 14 days expire (Oct.

26).

Linn County supervisors rejected Alliant Energy’s rezoning request for its proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center near U.S. Highway 30 early Wednesday morning amid environmental concerns (air and water quality worries noted).

State regulators will review the project on Dec. 7.

Iowa’s LIHEAP helps eligible homeowners and renters with winter heating bills if incomes meet guidelines.

Seniors, people with disabilities, and those in a housing crisis can apply online or through local agencies since Oct. 1—other households may apply starting Nov. 1 until Apr. 30.

The City of Cedar Rapids hosts a free open house on Nov.

4 from 4–6 p.m. at the City Services Center (500 15th Avenue SW) to let residents explore a vehicle bay, food trucks, interactive displays, and adoptable pets.