Community Corner
π± Patch AM: Where Johnson County is planting 45 new trees downtown
Coming up on the Iowa City Patch calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Good morning Iowa City! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Where Johnson County is planting 45 new trees downtown
- What happened when Trump Jr. and Ben Shapiro came to campus?
- What does a D- free speech grade mean for Iowa students?
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Iowa City 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 Iowa City Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Iowa City.
- Friday: Sunshine with a stray t-storm, with a high of 79 and low of 59 degrees.
- Saturday: Very warm with sunshine, temps: high: 82, low: 56.
- Sunday: Sunny and pleasantly warm, with a high of 79 and low of 63 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Johnson County plants 45 trees near Iowa City buildings with Iowa DNR grant (cbs2iowa.com) — New trees are going in around Johnson County's Iowa City buildings, bringing more shade, cooler sidewalks, and a greener feel to parts of downtown. Funded by an Iowa DNR grant, the two-year project will plant 45 diverse, climate-suited trees that county staff will maintain. Expect more greenery to appear near county facilities throughout next year.
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2. See Donald Trump Jr., Ben Shapiro visit UI for Turning Point USA event (press-citizen.com) — National conservative figures Donald Trump Jr. and Ben Shapiro drew a large crowd to the Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City Thursday night for Turning Point USA's "Love it or Leave it" tour. Local chapter leaders took the stage, one student received a $5,000 scholarship, and at least one attendee was removed as students packed the Main Lounge for the high-profile, debate-filled event.
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3. University of Iowa receives D- in free speech ranking (kcrg.com) — A Turning Point USA event at the University of Iowa in Iowa City has reignited debate over campus free speech after a national watchdog again gave the school a D-minus in its rankings. Students and faculty offered mixed views, with some citing a chilling effect on expression and others questioning the survey's methodology, while the university pointed to required free-expression training and a lack of recent speech controversies.
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4. Iowa City woman accused of stealing e-scooter (1630kcjj.com) — Police say a 42-year-old Iowa City woman was arrested after an e-scooter was reported stolen from the Hy-Vee on 1st Avenue and later found at her Arthur Street apartment complex. Officers report she admitted taking the scooter and returned it. She now faces a third-degree theft charge, which could carry up to two years in prison if convicted.
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5. Shetler twins bring lifelong rivalry to Regina's offensive, defensive lines (kcrg.com) — Iowa City Regina's top-ranked Class 1A football team is leaning heavily on twin seniors Simon and Porter Shetler, who anchor both the offensive and defensive lines. Their lifelong rivalry, from childhood wrestling to flag football, now fuels intense on-field competition that coaches say makes the whole unit stronger. After last year's title-game heartbreak, the brothers are focused on finishing the job together.
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📸 Around Iowa City
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 Iowa City
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness →
Dillard's, 1411 Coral Ridge Ave, Coralville
10:00 am
Friday October 16
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- David Zollo & Brian Cooper@ The Jobsite →
Jobsite, 928 Maiden Lane, Iowa City
7:00 pm - The Stroppers live at AlleyCat | Iowa City, IA →
AlleyCat, 13 South Linn Street, Iowa City
7:00 pm - David Zollo & Brian Cooper at The Jobsite →
Jobsite, 928 Maiden Lane, Iowa City
7:00 pm - David Zollo & Brian Cooper →
Jobsite, 928 Maiden Lane, Iowa City
7:00 pm - PrairieLights: Elizabeth Metzger, Andrew Zawacki, and Devin Johnston – The Going Is Forever, These Late Eclipses, Bright Thorn →
Prairie Lights Books, 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City
7:00 pm - John Waters →
The Englert Theatre, 221 E Washington St, Iowa City
7:30 pm - Judgement at Nuremberg →
The James, 213 North Gilbert Street, Iowa City
7:30 pm - The Stroppers live at AlleyCat →
AlleyCat, 13 South Linn Street, Iowa City
8:00 pm - Fair Trade Rug Event →
109 S Dubuque St, Iowa City
10:00 am - Fair Trade Rug Event →
109 S Dubuque St, Iowa City
10:00 am - Fair Trade Rug Event at Mosaic →
109 S Dubuque St, Iowa City
10:00 am
Friday October 9
Wednesday October 14
Thursday October 15
Friday October 16
📣 Iowa City Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
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
- I have been cleaning out my workshop and have a lot of yarn left over from many projects.
I have multiple skeins of some yarns for larger projects and a lot for small projects. I want to give this away! If someone is learning to knit or an… (Nextdoor Northside and Goosetown) - We are looking for someone/company to clean our dryer vent.
It's an LG dryer that vents into a wall and up into garage ceiling and then out the side of the house through area in garage ceiling. (Nextdoor Weber)
- CVS Health posted a job opening for Shift Supervisor in Iowa City. Apply here.
- The Auto Club Group posted a job opening for Insurance Sales Agent - Iowa City in Iowa City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Iowa City here.
Ok Iowa City! 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: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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