Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

Pantries are under pressure as record numbers of people face hunger even with new SNAP benefits that leave questions unanswered—HACAP Food Reservoir Director Kim Guardado urged lawmakers to restore full services.

Community members are also encouraged to donate and volunteer to help support these local food banks.

Craft'd After Dark, a local martini bar, will move from its current spot at 333 1st St SE to a larger former restaurant at 1202 3rd St SE in the NewBo District on November 21st from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.—the bar will change its name and is working to reopen by the end of the year.

Blank Park Zoo will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov.

6th at 10 a.m. to begin its Wild Iowa exhibit, which will feature rehabilitated otters, bald eagles and bobcats with a glass tunnel and a new water filtration system. The project is part of an $18 million capital campaign—also including a new lion conservation center slated for completion by summer 2026—that marks the zoo’s 60th anniversary.

Farmers said the year’s corn harvest was good but did not reach USDA’s early projections because heavy rains, hail, wind, and rust challenged the crop.

Tom Carman of Carman Farms said they are already testing new seed hybrids for next season + experts will release updated yield figures soon.

The Iowa DNR stocked Ada Hayden Heritage Lake with about 1,500 rainbow trout on Monday—giving local anglers a new chance to fish closer to home.

Anglers must show a valid fishing license and pay a trout fee, with a daily limit of five trout per person.

A state law meant to regulate how pharmacy benefit managers work was partially and temporarily blocked for Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans—pharmacists and health care advocates supported the law while insurance companies argued it would raise costs for Iowans.

Construction on the Dubuque Flood Gate Replacement and Pump Station Project will resume after the Iowa DNR approved a key permit and determined no additional environmental review is needed.

Work at the 16th Street Detention Basin, paused for three months during hydraulic modeling and water-sampling reviews after a 2020 fertilizer spill, will restart soon with new dewatering wells and associated lane closures along Kerper Boulevard as part of the $28.2 million Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project.

High school volleyball teams are competing in Coralville today at Xtream Arena as part of the state tournament; quarterfinal matches for Class 5A and Class 4A start this afternoon while teams in Class 3A, 2A, and 1A play tomorrow morning—semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday and championships on Thursday with tickets at $15 per person plus fees.

Mercy Mistletoe Market

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Mercy Medical Center Cedar Rapids — Free entry — Explore unique, handcrafted items from nearly 40 local vendors at this holiday shopping extravaganza.

Dubuque Fighting Saints vs Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

7:05-8:35 p.m. — ImOn Ice — Stream available — Don't miss the thrilling hockey showdown as the Saints take on the RoughRiders.

Orchestra Iowa: Masterworks III

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Paramount Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience powerful musical drama with guest conductor Damon Gupton leading orchestra classics from Walker, Mozart, and Beethoven.

Cranksgiving Cedar Rapids 2025

11 AM – 5 PM — NewBo City Market — $20-$40 recommended donation — Participate in a bicycle scavenger hunt to collect food for those in need.

NJCAA Division III Volleyball Championship

9:00 – 10:30 AM — Alliant Energy Power House — Check event details for pricing — Catch the excitement of NJCAA women’s volleyball at the 2025 Division III Championship!

Needle Felting Workshop

1:30-3:30 p.m. — Cedar Rapids Public Library - Ladd Library — Cost varies — Discover the art of transforming wool into beautiful 3D creations with needle felting.

NJCAA DII Women's Volleyball Championship

9 AM – 12 PM — Alliant Energy Power House — Ticket prices vary — Catch the excitement of NJCAA volleyball at the DII women’s championship!

Hockey Match: Muskegon Lumberjacks vs Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

7:05-8:35 p.m. — Cedar Rapids Roughriders Hockey Club — Check local listings for ticket prices — Watch an exciting junior hockey face-off between two competitive teams.

Thanksgiving Eve Dueling Pianos

7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Olympic South Side Theater — $25 — Experience a night of musical requests from classic hits to today's favorites.

Waterloo Black Hawks vs Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

7:05-8:35 p.m. — ImOn Ice — Cost info not specified — Catch the action as local hockey teams face off in an exciting match.