Morning Cedar Rapids! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Today's riddle: What is the 1 way to guarantee winning a small fortune at the casino? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Prairie Meadows plans major renovation after negotiating new lease (bluewaterhealthyliving.com) — Cedar Rapids is set to get Iowa's most expensive casino project yet, a $275 million Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center slated to open in November with 700 slots, table games, and a 1,500-seat venue. As Prairie Meadows near Des Moines plans a huge renovation to stay competitive, the Cedar Rapids development is poised to reshape local entertainment, jobs, and tourism.
2. Armed Cedar Rapids man arrested after Iowa City traffic stop (1630kcjj.com) — A Cedar Rapids man was arrested after Iowa City police stopped a vehicle Friday night and reported seeing him grab a pistol from the glove compartment. Officers say they found a handgun and marijuana, and the driver, with prior Linn County drug convictions, now faces weapons and repeat drug possession charges that could bring up to three years in jail.
3. National Civics Bee to return to Cedar Rapids (kcrg.com) — Middle schoolers across Eastern Iowa will again compete in the National Civics Bee regional round hosted in Cedar Rapids, with applications opening September 7 on the Economic Alliance website. Top essayists will advance to an in-person quiz and interview competition in Cedar Rapids, then potentially on to state, national rounds, and cash prizes up to $100,000.
4. Tap water study finds nitrate levels can vary widely across neighborhoods — even in the same city (iowapublicradio.org) — A new study of tap water across several Iowa cities, including Cedar Rapids, found nitrate levels can vary widely between neighborhoods, especially where water comes from multiple wells. While no samples exceeded federal limits, the research highlights how source water and geology shape what comes out of your tap and calls for deeper community conversations on long-term nitrate pollution solutions.
5. Fact Check: Turek's bipartisan voting record needs context (kcrg.com) — From Cedar Rapids, KCRG-TV9 digs into Democrat Josh Turek's claim that he's voted with Republicans more than 700 times in the Iowa Legislature. Their review of 2026 voting records finds his bipartisan rate is indeed high, but notes the campaign's numbers and definition of "bipartisan" need more context for voters weighing the U.S. Senate race.
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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: By starting with a large fortune. (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
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