Marissa Payne

While the CDC recently announced that U.S. suicide rates are at the highest levels since 1941, a University of Iowa expert says there’s reason to believe young people may be successfully reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

The vision for “a park in a library and a library in a park” is on its way to coming to life for Cedar Rapids’ new westside library. The library is being designed, but park amenities would include outdoor “reading rooms,” multiuse courts, community gardens, event space and more, leaning on natural elements.

With Big Grove Brewery and Pickle Palace opening this month, Kingston Yard’s $81.5 million development is kicking off a new era for Cedar Rapids’ urban core.

Work is one step closer to beginning on a renovation that will transform Marion Methodist Church — a historic building that was saved from demolition through a last-minute deal in 2022 — into Belltower Lofts apartments.

Leaders are pushing for state policies in 2024 that lift barriers to employment, expand community amenities and make Iowa a more enticing, inclusive place to live.

A district court judge this week dismissed a lawsuit alleging the Cedar Rapids City Council violated Iowa open meetings law in hiring Alissa Van Sloten as city clerk in 2021, siding with the city in finding that no violation of the law occurred.

To execute on the five-year revitalization of downtown Cedar Rapids, as pitched in a new vision plan adopted Tuesday by the City Council, the elected officials said partnerships between the public and private sectors will be key.

Family-friendly activities, more retail and riverfront dining, events on May’s Island, tax incentives for office-to-housing conversions. Here’s a glimpse at the 70 initiatives in Cedar Rapids’ Downtown Vision Plan, which the City Council will vote on Tuesday.

After about eight months without a permanent police chief, the city of Cedar Rapids is choosing finalists from a pool of 17 applicants in its search for someone new to lead the police department.

Effective immediately, the Linn County Mental Health Access Center is now available 24/7 to take walk-ins for adults ages 18 and over who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

No candidates on the Nov. 7 city and school elections ballot requested recounts in Linn and Johnson counties. But in Johnson County, Swisher needs a mayor and the Lone Tree City Council has a vacancy after the people whose names were written in for those jobs declined.

The Gingrich family’s spruce at their Marion home will be Cedar Rapids’ Christmas tree this year. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s annual tree lighting in Greene Square.

In an effort to prevent blight in neighborhoods, a policy advanced this week by the Marion City Council would add another tool for city staff to improve the conditions of neglected vacant buildings.

Among the five Cedar Rapids projects that were recently awarded redevelopment tax credits from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, local developer Steve Emerson’s proposed transformation of the old Guaranty Bank block received a major boost.

Once rehabilitation work is complete next spring on a once-blighted building in Wellington Heights, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program will own and operate the old Colonial Centre property that the city of Cedar Rapids is transforming into affordable housing.