Gazette Daily News Podcast, May 29

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This is your daily news update from The Gazette for Thursday, May 29:

Cristhian Bahena Rivera guilty of murder in Mollie Tibbetts’ slaying

The 12-member jury unanimously found Cristhian Bahena Rivera guilty of first-degree murder in the attack on Tibbetts. Prosecutor Scott Brown praised the investigators whose persistence helped solve the case, noting they faced criticism during the trial from the defense.

Noelridge Aquatic Center to open this weekend in Cedar Rapids

The Cedar Rapids municipal pools will begin a phased opening this weekend with pre-season swimming at Noelridge Aquatic Center.

Lap swim will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday through Monday, and open swim from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, according to a news release. Splash pads are also open this weekend as many people begin summer festivities.

Corridor city bands ready for upbeat summer downbeats

Municipal bands in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City and Washington are bringing back the sounds of summer to parks and other outdoor sites beginning June 9. For those who still want the music, but can’t get to the concerts, they will air on Facebook Live. The Sunday concerts will be broadcast live on KMRY radio, 93.1 FM/1450 AM, and online at kmryradio.com.

Willie Ray Fairley named by Fortune magazine as one of 50 Greatest World Leaders in 2021

In Cedar Rapids, the barbecue enthusiast made a name for himself after giving away thousands of meals for well over a month to linemen repairing downed power lines, National Guard members and residents hit hard after the Aug. 10, 2020, derecho, putting to use his newly acquired food truck.

When an unprecedented ice storm hit Texas in February, his spirit of giving was just as mobile. Over about a week, he gave away 1,600 meals in Dallas and Houston. After spending his own money to feed derecho victims, he reached even further into his pockets to go down South. In Texas, he spent a substantial portion of a $25,000 grant he received last year from Discover Card’s “Eat It Forward” program to feed strangers.

Memorial Day Weekend weather

Saturday Areas of frost before 7am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66. Evening partly cloudy, with a low around 43

Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 67, evening Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Memorial Day will be a nice, partly sunny, with a high near 71. Evening Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

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