Gazette Daily News Podcast, June 28

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This is John McGlothlen with the Gazette digital news desk and I'm here with your update for Monday, June 28th.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely today, mainly between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Cedar Rapids area. The high will be near 79 and chance of precipitation is 60%. We’re expecting new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms. Tonight we have a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms with a low around 68.

Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Cedar Rapids on Saturday for the return of the Freedom Festival parade. Umbrellas were perched above many in the crowd. Others wore raincoats and ponchos as light rain misted over the parade. The rain picked up occasionally, but several spectators said it didn’t ruin the experience.

Fireworks sales boomed last Fourth of July in the pandemic and some vendors say sales this year might be even better — despite several local governments reminding consumers they face hefty fines for setting them off in those cities. The State Fire Marshal’s Office reports it has granted more licenses — 583 this year compared with 553 in 2020 — for sales of fireworks from stores, tents and stands in Iowa. In some areas of Iowa, including Coralville, that means consumer fireworks are sold at retailers including Hy-Vee, Target, Walmart and Thiesen’s in addition to temporary tents. But some communities — including Cedar Rapids and Iowa City — limit where in the cities the explosives can be sold. According to a list kept by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, only three fireworks vendors in Cedar Rapids and none in Iowa City have state licenses. In Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, the use of fireworks is not permitted and violators can face fines — up to $855 in Cedar Rapids and $520 in Iowa City.