Photo Gallery: The Gazette’s Visuals Staff’s Favorite News Photos of the Year 2025

DeWolf Center senior director Kathy Good laughs with Mike and Julie Fitzgerald as Mike wears a sent of antlers for a festive ring toss game during a “memory cafe” event at the Chris & Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia in Marion, Iowa on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The memory cafe, which began in October of 2023, occur twice a month and provide a safe space for those dealing with dementia and their caregivers to have fun and share their experiences. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Jan Hoag (left) talks to T.J. Davis about his cowboy hat during the 30th birthday party of Bri Huss at Stone City General Store in Stone City, Iowa, on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Built in 1893, the former post office, rail depot and quarry office as well as a meeting spot for artists associated with the Grant Wood Art Colony has new life as an events venue. The building housed a pub which closed in 2023. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

A child, bundled from the cold, stands in line to attend an immigration registration meeting outside of the Cedar Rapids U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Escucha Mi Voz and the Iowa City Catholic Worker House accompanied 11 people, including three families, on a protective accompaniment vigil at the office for their immigration registrations. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Second year industrial technology student Alex Hume practices welding at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Iowa State Troopers remove Chris Morse of Polk County from the room after Morse exceeded her allotted time while speaking in opposition during an Iowa House Judiciary subcommittee meeting on House Study Bill 242 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa on Monday, February 24, 2025. The bill would remove gender identity as a protected class under Iowa’s Civil Rights Act. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly pumps his arms as he leads attendees in a cheer during the 31st annual Marion State of the City address during a luncheon at the Double Tree by Hilton Convention Center in northeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Emma Erickson of La Crosse, Wisconsin asks Salem the horse for a kiss after wrapping up their performances during the Tamarack Stables horse show at the Iowa Equestrian Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Sunday, March 16, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Smoke rises from fires set during a controlled burn at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, Iowa on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The Iowa DNR took the opportunity afforded by the very low humidity to burn 320 acres of land that would not normally be easy to burn. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

The tail of a candy corn guppy is seen as it swims in a tank at Prairie Creek Aquatics, 7828 26th Avenue, in Watkins, Iowa, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The business breeds and raises numerous breeds of tropical fish in about 180 aquariums. The business has about 3,000 fish. Customers come from Des Moines and the Quad Cities as well as the Waterloo area and the Missouri border. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Riddick (center) shot some teeth at would-be rescuers, Cedar Rapids Fire Department water rescue team members, in the Cedar River off of Mays Island in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Apr. 18, 2025. Riddick has been on the loose after getting away from Murphy on an outing to Mount Trashmore. Cedar Rapids Fire Department water rescue team entered the east side of the river in an attempt to rescue the dog. Riddick growled at their rescue attempt and swam to the westside of the river where Murphy was trying to coax him to shore. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Liz McDermott of LeClaire, Iowa looks on as Former Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during a town hall event at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. McDermott, who caucused for Buttigieg in 2020 said she was at the event to hear “how we can continue to fight back” from Buttigieg. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Class of 2025 Prairie High School graduate Asha Banza dances to music as she holds bouquets of money flowers as family and friends celebrate her graduation outside of the Double Tree by Hilton Convention Center in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Banza moved to the United States from Tanzania when she was nine-years-old. Now, 18 she is still exploring her cultural roots. “For my family, the money bouquet symbolizes not just pride but also everything they’ve done to support my success. It feels like a final “goodbye,” a signature of their encouragement as I step into my independence. They give me the money with the hope that I’ll use it to create more opportunities for myself,” explains Banza. Banza pans to pursue a degree in Digital Arts, focusing on movie production. “I’ve always loved storytelling and being in front of the camera. However, as I grew up, I realized that being featured on someone’s camera became a privilege. I want to change that and offer a fresh perspective, showcasing a new kind of beauty in everyday life,” said Banza. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Soldiers file out of the building to board buses during an Iowa National Guard Sendoff Ceremony in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

John’s Gorcery owner and Death of a Brewer producer Doug Alberhasky climbs a ladder used to access the tunnels under the Brewery Square Building in Iowa City, Iowa on Friday, June 27, 2025. The tunnels, or “beer caves” were originally used for the storage and aging of beer. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Janine Irishura takes a keep breath and says, “I can do this,” To herself as she prepares to bat during a softball game at Cleveland Park in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Riders with Journey of Hope, through The Ability Experience of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity are bringing disability awareness as they pedal across the country. The riders will finish one the lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Hay falls onto Henry Miesbauer as he hoists up a hay bale to attempt the 10-foot toss during the hay bale toss for Solon Beef Days in Solon, Iowa, on Friday, July 18, 2025. Committee Chair of the Hay Bale Toss Matt Kroul (CQ) said the men’s hay bales weighed 50 pounds. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

University of Iowa postdoctoral student Shirsh Soni reacts as the TRACERS space crafts launch successfully during a watch party at Van Allen Hall in Iowa City, Iowa on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Soni works on TRACERS and is a research fellow studying field of solar physics. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Cobble Hill cook Robert Bolden laughs after pastry chef Lee DeLoach Jr., chef de cuisine Jordan Morgan and Kagen Lewis tell a joke between the main course and dessert during the Gathered & Grown: A Feast of Five Seasons dinner in front of Cobble Hill in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The dinner started at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour and ended around 9 p.m.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Michael Lafantant of Cedar Rapids smiles as he embraces his daughter Michel Richard, 3, while waiting for Edeline Dor to finish her ICE check-in at the Homeland Security Investigations office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Reagan Fox of Kanawha, Iowa sprays down her goat with fly spray before the FFA Meat Goat Showmanship competition at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Taqiy Muhammad (left) and Ben Volta (right) of Mural Provisions in Philadelphia are reflected in the windows of the the Fulton Lofts building in Cedar Rapids as they work on installing the final panels of a mural on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. The mural is designed by Colombian artist Nathalia “Cleo” Gallego Sanchez. Sanchez was denied entry into the United States earlier this summer and opted to ship her mural to New York, where it was scanned and installed using a “Polytab” method. Polytab method allows installers to adhere the murals to the walls using acrylic gel medium. A varnish is added to seal the artwork and provide durability. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Brittany Hood (right) dances with Shawna Bole and Rochelle Adams in the light tunnel during CR Market After Dark in southeast Cedar Rapids on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Next to the light tunnel was a DJ for community members to enjoy. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

City of Dubuque assistant engineer Bob Schiesl looks at the flood pump station model in Coralville on Monday, August 25, 2025. Schiesl said the flood pumps will have built-in hatches to make maintenance and cleaning easier. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Luke DiBell, 5, of Cedar Rapids smiles as bubbles are blown on him during a foam party at The Play Cafe in Marion, Iowa on Monday, Sep. 1, 2025. The Play Cafe owners Brandon and Kelly Marsh took over the business in May of 2025. The couple hosts various events for children like foam parties and tea time at the center as well as open play. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Brother Joseph picks peaches in the courtyard at New Mellary Abbey, a Trappist Monastery near Dubuque, Iowa on Monday, September 8, 2025. As part of his work at the Abbey Brother Joseph maintains a small orchard of apple trees in addition to peach trees in the courtyard. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

A community member descends Mount Trashmore during the 7 Climbs for 9/11 event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Community members gathered to climb Mount Trashmore seven times, which is equivalent to the distance first responders climbed to reach the top of the World Trade Center Towers on 9/11/2001. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Iowa Valley junior and cheer squad member Avery Metz, 16, (left) helps eighth grader Nigel Stubbelfield, 13, put on his tiger mascot costume before the Iowa Valley homecoming parade in Marengo, Iowa on Friday, September 19, 2025. The Iowa Valley Tigers take on the HLV Warriors in their homecoming football game. Students from the high school, middle school and elementary school participated in the parade to show their school spirit. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Lepic-Kroeger Realtors volunteers Tanner Vincent, of Geneseo, Illinois, holds a banner while Availed Wilson, of Mount Pleasant, adjusts his ninja turtle mask before the University of Iowa’s Homecoming parade in downtown Iowa City on Friday, September 26, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

A police officer pushes back a community member from a police tape line during an Escucha Mi Voz accompaniment vigil outside the Homeland Security Investigations building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Police tape was put up around the property. Community members were told if they crossed the line they would be committing a federal offense. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Myles Fidler, 6, of Oxford shows off his Spiderman costume by jumping off a small ledge at the costume closet display at the Oxford Public Library in Oxford, Iowa on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. This is the first year the city of Oxford is hosting a costume closet. The closet is a collection of gently used and new halloween costumes that are available for children for free. Monday through Thursday the costume closet is located at City Hall and Friday through Saturday the costumes are displayed at the library, with the exception of library events. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Johnson STEAM Academy third grader Leniya Jefferson paints a City snow plow blade with classmates at the school in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Christina Farrell, an arts integration coordinator at the school works about 40 hours a month providing professional development to teachers on how they can integrate arts into core subjects. Farrell was hired as a consultant fall 2023 through the federal Magnet School Assistance Program grant. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Fairfax Fire Department members Nate Stallman (right), Zach Sankot (center), and Fairfax Fire lieutenant Chris Hagen get ready to go inside the house for Hiawatha Fire Department’s live fire training in Hiawatha on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Hiawatha Fire Chief Matt Powers said live fire training simulates structure fires and allows rookies a chance to practice in a controlled training area, observing how fire behaves inside a house. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

The leaves frame Kirkwood media technologies producer Kirk Monson as he walks to Iowa Hall on the Kirkwood Community College campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, October 30, 2025. According to the Iowa DNR, the fall color reached full peak on October 24th and is anticipated to last into the first or second week of November. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

CRCSD Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover makes a phone call as the results of a school bond referendum begin to be announced during an election night watch party at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

The colors of the Northern Lights or the scientific name "Aurora Borealis," are seen in the sky over rural Benton County west of Norway, Iowa, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, a strong solar flare was spotted on the sun, sparking a severe-level storm watch for Earth. People should be able to see the brilliant colors in the night sky in every state. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Owner of SCOUT of Marion, Nikki Kettlekamp, of Marion, carries extra stock upstairs in Marion on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Fourth graders (from left) Danika Brandis, Lexi Schroeder and Lane Byers work on completing a teamwork challenge in Whitney Vervick’s class at Prairie Hill Elementary School in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The students had to work together to balance markers on the ends of their fingers while doing various tasks like walking in a circle and kneeling down. The school was named a Blue Ribbon School by the Iowa Department of Education. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Dale Shultz (left), of Iowa City, and executive director of Iowa Master Naturalist Elisabeth Swain identifies a tree’s characteristics to determine what kind of tree it is during the Iowa Master Naturalists program outside of the Wickiup Hill Learning Center in Toddville on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Board member of Iowa Master Naturalist John Donner explained to the class earlier that bud characteristics, like their size and shape, or the shape of the leaf scars left behind can help identify a tree. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Mike Farr, of Cedar Rapids, puts the star on top of the tree on the side of I-380 in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, November 22, 2025.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

A truck drives through a light tunnel during the Holiday Lights at the Lake at the West Overlook Campground in Iowa City on Friday, November 28, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)