Good Day
Cedar Rapids
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025
Good morning, Cedar Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 23rd of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Allsop Park will honor a major gift from the Robert and Elizabeth Allsop Charitable Trust, announced by the Cedar Rapids Library Foundation Monday for the new Public Library Busse Branch. The gift supports the under-construction library on 20th Ave SW + park plans will be updated in 2026. The Gazette
- ➤ The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation announced a major gift from the Robert & Elizabeth Allsop Charitable Trust to fund a new Busse Branch Library and rename its adjacent park as Allsop Park. The 40,000 (sqft) facility will open in fall and further plans for park development are underway. CBS 2 Iowa
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Three new pop-up shops—Pohoda Patio and Pop Ups—have opened in Czech Village, giving local entrepreneurs short-term space to test their business ideas. Jaymie McGrath, inspired by her late mother, led the project to boost foot traffic for emerging local brands. KCRG
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The African American Museum of Iowa and W.I.N. will host a free, open-house Kwanzaa celebration Saturday, Dec. 27, from noon to 3 p.m. at the museum (featuring interactive activities, food, and artisan displays) that honors African American heritage. CBS 2 Iowa
- ➤ On Aug. 12, Theatre Cedar Rapids celebrated its 100th anniversary with a kickoff ceremony and a historical exhibition running through January. Renovations on the 50,000 sqft theater building began in August and will finish in April to improve accessibility and audience spaces. The Gazette
- ➤ Lamaria Purchase will host her Christmas show, The Reason We Celebrate (featuring Gospel, R&B and spoken word) at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids, and she will debut as a vocalist while launching the Back to The Basixxs Youth Foundation to unite the community. The Gazette
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ According to Monday’s GasBuddy survey, Iowa’s average gas price dropped 3.5 cents to $2.42 per gallon, which may ease fuel costs for Cedar Rapids drivers as holiday travel ramps up. CBS 2 Iowa
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Iowa Insurance Division warns Iowans about inheritance scams that send letters claiming a long-lost relative left a large sum and ask for personal details and fees to cover false taxes (legitimate law firms do not request fees upfront); officials urge residents to alert family members. KCRG
- ➤ Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG will pay $120M as part of a $149.7M settlement over alleged emissions violations, with Iowa receiving $3.13M for consumer relief (the settlement covers claims related to over 211,000 diesel vehicles). CBS 2 Iowa
- ➤ Sen. Grassley nominated 31 Iowa students for appointments to the nation’s military academies for the 2026–27 academic year on Monday, Dec. 22, recognizing their academic and leadership achievements from across the state. CBS 2 Iowa
- ➤ Sen. Joni Ernst (a combat veteran) has nominated a group of Iowa students for appointments to the U.S. Air Force, Naval, Military and Merchant Marine Academies. The nominees from several cities were selected for their leadership and service potential, while the academies will decide on the final appointments. CBS 2 Iowa
- ➤ Loren Hartelt of CRST has been appointed as the new chair of the Downtown SSMID Commission effective Jan. 1, succeeding James Klein who led since 2023 - he will guide downtown development, public space improvements and local business support as the district begins its renewal process. CBS 2 Iowa
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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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Spanish Conversation Practice Meetup
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Vineria Wine Shop — $3 off wine and pizza — Enhance your Spanish skills and connect with fellow language enthusiasts over happy hour specials.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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