Good Day
Cedar Rapids
Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Good morning, Cedar Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Jefferson High School is hosting its 13th annual holiday dinner tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. in the main gym where community members can enjoy a free meal, live entertainment & family activities managed by students and staff. KWWL
- ➤ Two veteran-led nonprofits are gathering donations for care packages for National Guard servicemembers deployed in Syria after losing two soldiers (donations include snacks, hygiene items and more) and local drop-off sites in Russell, Corydon and Centerville are accepting items this holiday season. KCRG
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ LoKey Hat Co. opened on Nov. 20 in Czech Village at 73 16th Ave SW. The shop in the historic Sykora Bakery building offers custom hats, cowboy boots, and gift cards through a hands-on experience (the little blue building stands out). KDAT
- ➤ Razzle Dazzle Music & Movies has opened at Lindale Mall, offering Cedar Rapids residents both new and used media like CDs, VHS, DVDs, cassette tapes, Blu-rays & vinyl records. Owner Chris Deline says the store brings together collectors who love sharing their finds. CBS 2 Iowa
- ➤ Small businesses have a last chance to boost holiday sales at the Made in Iowa Merry Market. The two-day event runs Dec. 20 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Dec. 21 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) at Hawkeye Downs Expo Center with a $5 entry fee and free admission for children 12 and under. CBS 2 Iowa
- ➤ I’ll Meet You There opened its bookstore on Dec. 8 at 62 16th Ave. SW in Czech Village and the adjacent cafe will open tomorrow pending health department inspections (featuring coffee and French pastries by Sandrine Wallace). The Gazette
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Heating costs will rise more than 9% this winter, driven by high natural gas prices, more electric demand, and an aging power grid. Cedar Rapids-based homeowners can plan ahead by checking insulation and weatherproofing to lessen winter bills. CBS 2 Iowa
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Hiawatha city council approved CR Prep’s expansion with a new charter school at the former GoDaddy site that will serve third- through eighth-grade students. The 600-student facility includes sports amenities — a football and soccer field with a gym. KCRG
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Cedar Rapids Fire Department welcomed Ladder Three—a new ladder truck that can access four-story buildings—during a push-in ceremony and will base it at Fire Station Three to boost emergency response in the city. KWWL
- ➤ Iowa DOT won the Julie and Kate Beckett Advocacy Award from The Arc of Iowa for making rest stops more accessible. Twenty-three stops now have private adult changing spaces with height-adjustable tables, including one in Cedar Rapids. KWWL
- ➤ Menards agreed to pay Iowa $446832 in a settlement—resolving 2020 claims of misleading rebate practices—and will update its online rebate tracker and allow consumers one year to submit rebate claims. The company will clearly disclose all terms to help shoppers understand its rebate program. CBS 2 Iowa
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Disney's Frozen: Live Theatre Production
7:30-10:00 p.m. — Theatre Cedar Rapids — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magical tale of sisterhood and adventure in a winter wonderland.
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Disney's FROZEN at Theatre Cedar Rapids
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM — Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA — Tickets available — Experience the enchanting tale of sisterhood and acceptance this holiday season.
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Holiday Trivia Night
6-8 p.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — Free to attend — Test your knowledge with festive trivia questions in a joyful holiday atmosphere.
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Holiday Movie Screening: Elf
2-6 p.m. — Paramount Theatre — Ticket proceeds benefit Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control — Celebrate the holiday season with a festive screening of Buddy the Elf's adventures.
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Dinosaur Adventure
6:00 PM - 7:30 AM — Hawkeye Downs Speedway & Expo Center — VIP packages available — Experience a fun-filled night with dinosaurs and exclusive perks.
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Cedar Rapids Roughriders vs. Sioux City Musketeers
7:05-8:35 p.m. — ImOn Ice — Cost varies — Catch an exciting hockey showdown between local rivals on FloHockey.
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All that Glitters First Night Celebration
7-11:59 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cedar Rapids Convention Complex — Check website for ticket info — Celebrate the New Year with live dueling pianos, a festive dinner buffet, and a midnight champagne toast.
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Chris Thile Concert
7:30-10 p.m. — The Englert Theatre — $30 – $68 — Experience the genre-defying musical genius of Grammy Award-winner Chris Thile in an evening of captivating performances.
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Waterloo Black Hawks vs Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
7:05-9:05 p.m. — ImOn Ice — Check the FloHockey broadcast for all the action as the Black Hawks take on the RoughRiders in a thrilling hockey matchup.
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Welcome to the Good Day Cedar Rapids, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Cedar Rapids, Iowa community. If you like the Good Day Cedar Rapids, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Cedar Rapids.
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