Annie Smith Barkalow's stories

Girl playing softball youth sports

Corridor sports complexes serve up wins on and off the court

If you were a Midwest kid playing sports in the ‘80s or ‘90s, you can probably still smell it — the old, dusty rubber and plastic, years of baked-in sweat from previous kid athletes emanating from the sports equipment shed…

Lion Development Group owner Brandon Pratt poses in front of a wall display of the company’s core values at his headquarters in North Liberty on July 1, 2025. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

2025 Entrepreneur of the Year: Brandon Pratt

Midnight Coffee's logo is prominently displayed on a disposable coffee cup.

Midnight Coffee to open a fifth location in Clive

Regents pause decision on controversial policy allowing students to opt out of DEI, CRT coursework

The Iowa Board of Regents are revisiting a policy that would excuse students from taking…

A protestor holds a sign depicting the Iowa Capitol accompanied by the words "The truth will not be whitewashed" at the Iowa Board of Regents meeting Wednesday, June 11.

Iowa Board of Regents consider early-phase projects that would pave way for UI patient tower

At the Iowa Board of Regents meeting Wednesday, the University of Iowa requested approval of…

Quad Cities developer bets on Iowa City with planned revamp of former Pearson campus

The former Pearson campus on North Dodge Street in Iowa City is getting a makeover…

Aerial view of the former Pearson campus at 2510 N. Dodge St. in Iowa City.

GALLERY: CIVCO unveils innovative new facility at open house Friday

CIVCO Medical Solutions in Coralville was a hive of activity Friday, June 6, as Johnson…

CIVCO Medical Solutions President Robin Therme (center) readies a giant pair of scissors for the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the company's new facility on June 6.

Johnson County Board of Supervisors hears proposal for immigrant welcome center

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors heard a proposal for an immigrant welcome center on…

Audience members and presenters of the proposed immigrant welcome center pose with the Johnson County Board of Supervisors June 4, 2025.

St. Ambrose, Mount Mercy University complete first step in historic merger

St. Ambrose University has officially become the “parent company” of Mount Mercy University, 10 months…

St. Ambrose president Amy Novak and Mount Mercy president Todd Olson sign a "strategic combination" agreement on Thursday, Aug. 1. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Bettendorf company purchases former Pearson offices in Iowa City

A Bettendorf-based commercial real estate development company has purchased the former Pearson offices in Iowa…

Aerial view of the former Pearson campus at 2510 N. Dodge St. in Iowa City.

Coralville City Council rejects bids for Youth Sports Park expansion project

The Coralville City Council voted unanimously to reject all submitted bids for phase three of…

Sign at the entrance to Coralville's Youth Sports Park, 2480 Dempster Drive.

Coralville City Council considers multiple housing developments at meeting May 27

At its meeting May 27, the Coralville City Council passed a first consideration to rezone…

Coralville Mayor Meghann Foster (left) and council member Hai Huynh pictured May 13, 2025.

Maintenance of Macbride Nature Recreation Area will cost UI $14.8 million, according to report

For the past 60-plus years, the University of Iowa has leased the Macbride Nature Recreation…

A sign marks the entrance to Macbride Recreation Nature Area, located in the Solon area.

Iowa City Downtown District plans to expand SSMID borders

The Iowa City Downtown District is looking to expand its Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID)…

The new ICDD SSMID boundaries would extend north and south, encompassing UI Health Care's Downtown Campus on Market Street.

SAILing into the future: chatbot helps small municipalities navigate resident requests

Chatbots are rapidly reshaping the way we communicate with businesses, blending AI and instant messaging…

Braden Smith is the co-creator of SAIL Assistant, a chatbot designed to assist small cities with resident requests.

Coralville OKs 10-Year tax rebate to support Iowa River Power historic building renovation

The Coralville city council has approved a tax increment rebate to aid in the historic…

The Iowa River Power building, 501 First Ave. in Coralville, pictured Oct. 30. The building was bough last month by Old Gold, LLC, a company with an Illinois address. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Iowa City chooses developer for vacant downtown lot

Three months after hearing development proposals for 21 S. Linn St., Iowa City has made…

A rendering of Grand Rail Development's proposed structure.

Iowa City advances rezoning for future multifamily complex

Note: The reporter of this article has no relation to Tracy Barkalow, who is mentioned…

A rendering of Goosetown Apartments, two multifamily residential complexes housing 42 units each proposed for 911 Governor St. in Iowa City.