Annie Smith Barkalow's stories

Crosspark Road Hy-Vee District Store Director Elise Scheil and North Liberty Mayor Chris Hoffman, center, prepare to cut the ribbon to the new Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheater Oct. 21.

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…

State of Mind owner Carissa Starleaf in her store July 7. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Midnight Coffee to open a fifth location in Clive

A Johnson County coffee chain is expanding its footprint with a new location planned for…

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

IC Repair tackles sustainability, consumer empowerment

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

IC Repair volunteer Chris Anderson sharpens a knife for an attendee April 4.

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…

DVIP & RVAP logo

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…

Startup Weekend Iowa City is a chance for aspiring entrepreneurs to try out their ideas and gain insight into successfully launching a business.

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…

CommUnity Crisis Services sign outside 1121 S. Gilbert Court in Iowa City. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Iowa United Volleyball sets up at former Pearson campus

A portion of the former Pearson campus in Iowa City will soon be home to…

An Iowa United Volleyball club member celebrates during the 2025 Iowa Regionals Weekend.

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…

St. Ambrose President Amy Novak and Mount Mercy President Todd Olson celebrate the first phase of their universities' merger with a symbolic signing Friday, June 27.

North Liberty Community Pantry opens doors to new location

Eight months after breaking ground on a new $4 million facility, the North Liberty Community…

The sign for North Liberty Community Pantry's new facility, located at 350 W. Penn St.

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,…

Jennifer Sherer (right), director of the State Worker Power Initiative with the Economic Policy Institute, speaks during the Johnson County manufactured home park press conference June 18.

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…

Farmers for Free Trade held a Tariff Town Hall at Cedar Ridge Distillery Tuesday, June 17. (From left) Panelists Jeff Quint, CEO of Cedar Ridge Distillery; Richard Dix, vice president of supply chain management with Kinze Manufacturing; Matthew Willimack, board director with Iowa Soybean Association; Chad Hart, economist with Iowa State University; and moderator John Lohman, CEO of the Corridor Business Journal.

UI Health Care chargemaster rates to increase beginning July 1

In addition to grocery store and building material costs, consumers – or in this case,…

UI Health Care logo

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…

The Iowa Board of Regents at their meeting Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

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.