Gazette Daily News Podcast, April 17 and April 18

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This is Stephen Schmidt from the Gazette digital news desk and I’m here with your update for Saturday April 17 and Sunday April 18.

For weather we are looking at, overall, a pretty pleasant weekend to get out and do things.

According to the National Weather Service, on Saturday it will be partly sunny with a high near 58 degrees in the Cedar Rapids area, with a wind speed of 5 to 10 mph. On Sunday, the wind will remain at the same speed, the skies will again be partly sunny, and the high will finally creep back up to 60 degrees.

The request by the City of Cedar Rapids for $39.5 million in aid to fuel “transformational” downtown developments is among the six proposals in Iowa that remain eligible to potentially receive millions in state tax incentives.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority on Friday narrowed down the proposals from Iowa communities to down to six from a pool of 10 competing for a total $100 million awarded through its Reinvestment District program. The program “reinvests” sales and hotel-motel tax revenues to cities for use in developments that boost the quality of life and create or enhance recreational opportunities, with the idea of attracting people from outside the region to visit.

Cedar Rapids’ proposal, which envisions more than $261 million in investments overall, is the largest of all the community proposals. Any funding awarded to Cedar Rapids would support cornerstone downtown developments that have struggled to get off the ground. The city’s proposal encompasses the proposed mixed-use First and First West development featuring a Big Grove microbrewery; Marriott hotels at the Guaranty Bank Building and Old World Theater site; and a high-rise near the Paramount Theatre. It also includes an Eighth Avenue SW pump station, Fourth Avenue SE plaza and a 5-in-1 Dam bypass channel.

According to the Associated Press, authorities said Friday they arrested an Iowa man who attempted to grab the service weapon from a police officer in the middle of the attack on the U.S. Capitol in January.

Kyle Young, 37, of Redfield, was arrested Wednesday along with Albuquerque Head, 41, of Kingsport, Tenn. Both are accused of assaulting a Washington, D.C., cop who was dragged down the steps of the Capitol, electrocuted and beaten unconscious by the mob.

Young is among a group accused in the incident that now faces a slew of assault and disorderly conduct charges.

Having spent most of his first term on Iowa’s Board of Regents as its president, Michael Richards could stay in the leadership role through 2027 with his reappointment Friday to another six-year term.

Richards first was appointed to the board in May 2016 by his friend, then-Gov. Terry Branstad, to fill the unexpired term of Mary Andringa, who resigned after just a year. Branstad’s successor, Gov. Kim Reynolds, renewed this appointment on Friday.

Richards’ initial appointment was set to expire April 30, when president pro-tem Patty Cownie’s term also will expire. Gov. Reynolds did not reappoint Cownie.

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