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🌱 Cedar Rapids school schedules could shift by 90 minutes

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Patch AM: a 4 min read

Good morning to you Cedar Rapids! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Cedar Rapids school schedules could shift by 90 minutes
  • How Cedar Rapids shaped Keith Pilapil Lesmeister’s stories about money
  • Cedar Rapids man charged in alleged break-in and assault

Also on today's calendar: Music & Movement Story Time and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What are the two sides of a circle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Cedar Rapids Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Cedar Rapids Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Cooler; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 59 and low of 37 degrees.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny; breezy, cooler, temps: high: 45, low: 27.
  • Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 44 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Cedar Rapids school district considers three bell schedule options for next school year (kcrg.com) — Cedar Rapids families have until Dec. 14 to weigh in on school schedules that could shift start and dismissal times by up to 90 minutes next school year. The three options carry different consequences for family routines and transportation costs, with the school board scheduled to choose that day.
   

2. Keith Pilapil Lesmeister speaks about his latest short story collection, ‘Ask Me About the Money' (dailyiowan.com) — Growing up in a working-class Cedar Rapids family helped shape Keith Pilapil Lesmeister’s latest story collection, “Ask Me About the Money.” In an interview following his Nov. 9 Prairie Lights reading, he describes how financial pressures run through the stories, linking explorations of family relationships and racial identity.
   

3. Cedar Rapids man charged with burglary, assault (thegazette.com) — A Cedar Rapids man faces burglary and assault charges after allegedly breaking into a woman’s home and attempting to strangle her, according to a criminal complaint. Lonnie Dennis Jr., 37, was ordered held without bond Tuesday based on the first-degree burglary charge.
   

4. Cedar Rapid's community "1-Bag Challenge" continues (cbs2iowa.com) — Cedar Rapids residents collected approximately 7,500 bags of litter this year through the city's 1-Bag Challenge, which asks everyone to pick up at least one bag annually. Residents can get free cleanup bags at City Hall during winter and leave filled bags with their regular trash for collection.
   

5. Police Technology Meeting Sparks Questions Over License Plate Readers (kwwl.com) — Cedar Rapids police faced privacy and constitutional questions at a public meeting about moving 70 license plate readers from Flock to Axon. The switch is part of a $14.5 million technology investment that also includes drones and body cameras. Officials said the new system gives the department control over its data and use.
   

📸 Around Cedar Rapids

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Cedar Rapids

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Cedar Rapids Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Looking for someone who can install a storm door, ideally today or tomorrow (Wednesday, November 11) if possible!
    I realize that's short notice, but I'm hoping to find someone who can squeeze in a relatively small job. It's an older home, so I'm not entirely… (Nextdoor Ridgewood/Bever Woods)
  • Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. posted a job opening for Janitor in Cedar Rapids. Apply here.
  • BoxLunch / Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager - Level 1 in Cedar Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Cedar Rapids here.

Ok Cedar Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What are the two sides of a circle?" — The inside and the outside ! (Thank you James M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Cedar Rapids

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Cedar Rapids

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.