Photo Gallery: Gazette’s Best Photos for the First Half of November 2025

A photographic tour of The Gazette’s best photos for the first half of November 2025

The colors of the Northern Lights or "Aurora Borealis," are seen in the sky to the north of the Fort Atkinson Bridge in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, a strong solar flare was spotted on the sun, sparking a severe-level storm watch for Earth. People should be able to see the brilliant colors in the night sky in every state. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

South Winnekshiek’s Hugh Conway celebrates as he approaches the finish during the boys’ Class 1A race at the 2025 Iowa high school state cross country championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa on Saturday, November 1, 2025. Conway won in 15:50.7. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Oliver Miller, 14, of Wellman, competes during the Pinicon Punisher Enduro at Pinicon Ridge Gravity Park in Central City on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Miller came in first for the Jr. Boys category. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Jim Janette of Lansing exits the car ferry with his bike after riding from Lansing, Iowa to De Soto, Wisconsin on Monday, November 3, 2025. Janette says he often rode his bike over the bridge before it was shut down for construction. He used the ferry for the first time on Monday and planned to bike on the Wisconsin side. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Marion's Abbey Kirk (11) passes the ball during their match against the Sioux Center Warriors at the state volleyball tournament in the Xtream Arena in Coralville on Monday, November 3, 2025. Sioux Center Warriors won the match 25-24, 19-25, 25-14, and 25-21.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

West Des Moines Valley's Kaelyn Wieland celebrates with teams after their win over Pleasant Valley at the state volleyball tournament in the Xtream Arena in Coralville on Monday, November 3, 2025. West Des Moines Valley won the match 13-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, and 15-13.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Marion Parks and Recreation employees work on putting together Marion’s city Christmas tree in uptown Marion on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Marion Parks and Recreation employee Drew Mollenhauer, of Marion, said the city Christmas tree is 40ft tall.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Jana Tibbott of Cedar Rapids works on her ballot at the Linn County Public Health building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Poll workers stated that school board elections typically have a smaller voter turnout than presidential elections. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Assumption head coach Greg Cotton sends in a serve signal during their 3A quarterfinal match against the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s 2025 State Volleyball Championships at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Assumption Knights swept the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

CRCSD Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover makes a phone call as the results of a school bond referendum begin to be announced during an election night watch party at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Janesville Wildcats run in a circle to celebrate an ace serve during their 1A semifinal match against the North Tama Redhawks at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s 2025 State Volleyball Championships at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Republican Zach Lahn hugs and kisses his daughter Evelyn, 11, after she spoke during his campaign kick-off event at his family’s farm in Belle Plaine, Iowa, on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Though Lahn grew up in western Iowa, his family roots trace back to the Belle Plaine area. He bought his family’s farm house. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Davenport Assumption's Belle Cotton (17) hugs teammate Piper Hodge(8) while celebrating their win over Humboldt during their 3A championship match at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s 2025 State Volleyball Championships at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Thursday, November 6, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Denver head coach Jamie Johnson (center) waits in the tunnel with Mackenzie Simmons (2), Madeline Hildebrandt (10) and Mackenzie McEwan (5) for the Cyclones to take the court before their 2A championship match against the Hinton Blackhawks at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s 2025 State Volleyball Championships at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Denver won in four sets. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Teammates cheer on Saint Ansgar's Sofia Parrott (center) as she puts a sticker with the their school in the champion spot of the 1A bracket during the awards ceremony after their 1A championship win over the Janesville Wildcats at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s 2025 State Volleyball Championships at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The St. Ansgar Saints won in four sets. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Cedar Rapids City Traffic Engineering Department’s Randy Stallman secures United States flags on light poles along Third Avenue in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, November 7, 2025. Workers with the department put out about 70 Stars and Stripes three times each year; for Memorial Day, July Fourth and Veterans Day. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Cleveland Elementary School first graders from left: Ari Gantt (cq), Sophia Medina and Estefani Tamarac (along in the group Grayson Engstrom) work on writing a group statement in Kristin Leis’s first grade social studies class at Cleveland Elementary School in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, November 7, 2025. Instructional Empowerment is a newer learning model in the Cedar Rapids Community School District that has students learn in groups rather than learning through teacher lectures. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Cleveland Elementary School first grader Colton Alex raises his agree/disagree card while Kristin Leis takes a class survey if students agree or disagree with table group statements during social studies class at Cleveland Elementary School in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, November 7, 2025. Instructional Empowerment is a newer learning model in the Cedar Rapids Community School District that has students learn in groups rather than learning through teacher lectures. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

An American flag tigerhawk logo on an Iowa helmet during a game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Oregon Ducks at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, November 8, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Jade Riley (center, right) and Jan Clarke (center, left) go through a car wash with washing strips provided by Marek Marasch (left) and Tammy Haynes (right) during an improv performance of The Last Minute Gift Ideas in the Black Box Theatre at CSPS, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Monday, November 10, 2025. The performance is part of the new variety series, Monday Unscripted, launched at CSPS. The series of rotating entertainment includes: comedy, improv, story telling, music, interviews and themed performances. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Veteran Becky Dirks Haugsted speaks during the 30th Annual Veterans Day Assembly at Anamosa High School in Anamosa, Iowa on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. She is currently serving as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department Commander for the state of Iowa. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Anamosa High School junior Carter Hudson, 16, plays “Taps” on his trumpet during the 30th Annual Veterans Day Assembly at Anamosa High School in Anamosa, Iowa on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The annual assembly honors veterans and their families for Veterans Day. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Nineteen-year-old Linn-Mar High School student Mekah DeGreif (right) gives Cotton Gallery employee Karen Bruns a high-five while working at the gallery in Marion, Iowa on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Mekah’s teacher says she is normally reserved when she is at school, but while working at the Cotton Gallery she wants to socialize. During her work days Mekah is accompanied by a teacher, but works primarily independently. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Newton’s Dawson Maki breaks up a pass intended for Xavier’s Ryan Kelly during a Class 4A Iowa High School State Semifinal football game between Cedar Rapids Xavier and Newton, Iowa on Thursday, November 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Xavier’s Andrew Renner (52) and Shawn Saini (7) celebrate after a Class 4A Iowa High School State Semifinal football game between Cedar Rapids Xavier and Newton, Iowa on Thursday, November 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Kathy Stepleton of Grand Living at Indian Creek in Cedar Rapids walks down a row of decorated Christmas trees during senior day at the Festival of Trees in the Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, November 14, 2025. The newly added senior day allowed elderly community members to enjoy the event without worrying about navigating through large crowds. Several retirement and assisted living homes attended the event. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Rapture Advocacy Rehabilitation Program (RARE) coordinator Sonja Hadenfeldt shows a barred owl during the Iowa Master Naturalists program at Wickiup Hill Learning Center in Toddville on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Hadenfeldt said they have had 171 raptor birds come through for rehabilitation this year.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Photos in this gallery are available for purchase, both print and digital download for personal use. Click the image, then click the 'buy photo' button to view options and pricing.