Homers: What's going right

STATE AID: Iowa legislators were generous to Cedar Rapids' flood-damaged government infrastructure as the 2010 session ended. Lawmakers approved $8.6 million to help renovate the Veterans Memorial Building and former federal courthouse, where many City Hall offices are expected to return. Linn County will get $8.9 million to help it repair and expand the Administrative Office Building. As costly as all that seems, the money needed, combined with federal disaster grants, is likely less than building new.

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WHAT A RUN: Thank you, University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team, for an inspiring and entertaining run deep into the NCAA tournament, including that stunning victory against overall top seed, Kansas. Exemplary teamwork and absence of egotism are a tribute to the Panthers and coach Ben Jacobson.

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GOOD NEWS FOR IOWA PORK PRODUCERS: By early May, China is expected to become the last country to lift its embargo on U.S. pork, nearly a year after many nations banned such imports because of unfounded fears about H1N1, commonly called swine flu. Iowa is the nation's largest hog producer.