Gazette Daily News Podcast, August 11

It'll be another sunny day Thursday, with some random rain chances to mix things up. According to the National Weather Service, there could be isolated showers and thunderstorms in the Cedar Rapids area over the lunch hour, then again at night. Otherwise it will be partly sunny, with a high near 81 degrees. The low Thursday night will be around 60 degrees.

Just over a week before classes are scheduled to resume Aug. 22 for the fall semester, Kirkwood’s Board of Trustees will consider Thursday approving an operating budget for the upcoming year that includes the in-state increase of $14 per semester credit hour — from $186 to $200.

The estimated cost of a full course load of 15 credit hours for an academic year is $6,000 for in-state students and $8,040 for out-of-state students. In-state students at Kirkwood paid $4,860 for a full course load five years ago.

Kirkwood’s rate hike is the steepest among Iowa’s 15 community colleges.

“The substantial increase is due to the high inflationary period that we are in,” Kirkwood Chief Financial Officer Jim Choate told The Gazette.

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Iowa increased for the second week in a row, while the number of new virus cases continued to decrease.

In the past week, 323 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, up from 309 patients the week before.

In the past week, 5,660 new COVID-19 cases were reported, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Last week, that number was 5,768.

Students returning to school is traditionally a point at which case numbers start to climb again, the numbers could change quite a bit in the coming weeks.

A “massive new family entertainment center” including an IMAX theater is coming to fast-growing Tiffin.

Des Moines-based Fridley Theatres this week announced its newest project — The Palms Theatres, IMAX and Family Entertainment Center. It will be part of the Park Place development just off Interstate 380.

In addition to the theater and large IMAX screen, the Tiffin complex will feature arcade games, bowling, a restaurant and bar. The IMAX screen will be 70 feet tall and 90 feet wide, according to a video posted on Facebook by Fridley Theatres.

The city of Tiffin anticipates a significant amount of growth at Park Place. The 265-acre development is being planned by Ders Group of North Liberty. It will include entertainment, restaurants and shopping, as well as apartment and lots for houses.