Annie Smith Barkalow's stories

North Liberty’s Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheater opens doors
Following more than a decade of planning, the $10 million, 13,000-square-foot Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheater in North Liberty’s Centennial Park is swinging its doors open to the public. City officials, community members and stakeholders gathered at 1565 St. Andrews Drive…
Creativity is a state of mind for this Marion gift shop
A new gift shop in Uptown Marion is selling a little bit of inspiration mixed…

Midnight Coffee to open a fifth location in Clive
A Johnson County coffee chain is expanding its footprint with a new location planned for…

IC Repair tackles sustainability, consumer empowerment
Four times a year, IC Repair volunteers gather in Iowa City to fix a wide…

Molly’s Cupcakes closing shop in Iowa City
A downtown Iowa City cupcakery is closing its doors after 13 years in business. Molly’s…

DVIP & RVAP Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Services to build transitional housing for survivors
Domestic Violence Intervention Program & Rape Victim Advocacy Program (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis…

Startup Weekend Iowa City is coming up – here’s what you need to know
Aspiring entrepreneurs with bold ideas will have a chance to fine-tune them at Techstars Startup…

Layoffs loom for CommUnity Crisis Services after government cuts support for LGBTQ+ youth suicide crisis hotline
Iowa City-based CommUnity Crisis Services is facing layoffs following the termination of a suicide crisis…

Iowa United Volleyball sets up at former Pearson campus
A portion of the former Pearson campus in Iowa City will soon be home to…

Mount Mercy, St. Ambrose University celebrate completion of first phase of merger
In a symbolic gesture celebrating the first phase of their strategic combination, Mount Mercy and…

North Liberty Community Pantry opens doors to new location
Eight months after breaking ground on a new $4 million facility, the North Liberty Community…

Iowa City manufactured home residents call for rent moratorium, access to clean, safe water
Johnson County manufactured home park residents are calling for a two-year moratorium on rent hikes,…

Manufacturing, ag industry experts weigh in at Tariff Town Hall
Business leaders and farmers gathered at Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher on Tuesday to weigh…

UI Health Care chargemaster rates to increase beginning July 1
In addition to grocery store and building material costs, consumers – or in this case,…

Iowa Board of Regents votes to increase universities’ tuition, raise presidents’ wages
Students at Iowa’s public universities will see higher tuition and fees in the 2025-26 academic…

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…






