Annie Smith Barkalow's stories

Drew Hart and Annie McElree of Fenokee furniture pose in their workshop in Cedar Rapids Sept. 26, 2025. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Fenōkee furniture merges art and craft

The small forge takes up only a fraction of the space in the converted workshop, but its heat is soon felt throughout the building. It doesn’t take long for the occupants to start perspiring, despite the roll-up garage door being…

Wright House of Fashion launches Iowa’s first graphic design apprenticeship program

Scroll through the list of apprenticeships on Iowa Workforce Development’s website and you’ll find a…

Graphic design apprentice Wisdom Konu (left) looks over André Wright’s shoulder as the two discuss Mr. Konu’s progress in the program. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Commercial real estate showing resilience, despite volatile environment

Despite recent federal policy shifts creating a volatile environment, commercial real estate is continuing to…

Symposium keynote speaker Travis Deese, director of Multifamily Research with CBRE.

CodaPet provides a compassionate end-of-life option at home for pets

CodaPet, a company providing compassionate, in-home pet euthanasia services through a network of licensed, local…

Trissa Pearson's dog, Cafe, was euthanized at home using CodaPet services.

New sports complex in the works for North Liberty

The North Liberty city council approved plans for a multi-million dollar sports complex spearheaded by…

A rendering of the proposed Corridor Sports Performance Center. The development is spearheaded by former Hawkeye basketball player Kenyon Murray.

Work, reimagined: How the COVID-19 pandemic shaped Corridor workplace policies

Five years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly closed offices, businesses and schools, indelibly…

COVID-19 workplace

Johnson County coffee chain Coffee Emporium rebrands as Midnight Coffee

A popular Johnson County coffee chain is rolling out a new name to match the…

Logo for Midnight Coffee, formerly Coffee Emporium.

Development proposals for 21 S. Linn St. in Iowa City narrowed to two after developer merger

Development proposals for a prime downtown Iowa City property have been narrowed to two after…

A rendering of 21 S. Linn St. by Salida Partners and Iceberg Development, which merged projects.

Catherine McAuley Center’s Immigration and Business luncheon addresses current immigration climate

The Catherine McAuley Center’s third annual Immigration and Business Luncheon and awards ceremony praised the…

Alouise Francois, a student at Jefferson High School, gives an acceptance speech after receiving the Youth Leader Award at the third annual Catherine McAuley Center Immigration and Business Luncheon March 6.

Gather Iowa gathers steam: Coralville city officials give update on southeast commercial district project

Coralville city officials, along with a representative from Shive-Hattery, gathered Monday afternoon at Coralville City…

Coralville city engineer Scott Larson points to slides exhibiting current infrastructure projects happening within the city. Mr. Larson was on hand to provide updates on Gather Iowa to community stakeholders at the Coralville City Hall March 3.

Iowa Board of Regents push pause on Iowa Memorial Union renovations

The Iowa Board of Regents voted Thursday to postpone a decision greenlighting the proposed $81.4…

The Iowa Memorial Union will undergo a major renovation to better serve students. CREDIT JUSTIN TORNER

UI Health Care Workers union protest for better wages, benefits

Members of the University of Iowa Health Care workers union picketed at the corner of…

A member of UI Health Care's union SEIU holds a sign that declares "Restore merges staff seniority now!" at the corner of Melrose Avenue and Hawkeye Drive Wednesday. Health care workers say the 3% wage increase offered by the Iowa Board of Regents isn't enough.

‘The state of the city is strong’: Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague urges unity in uncertain times in State of the City address

The Emma J. Harvat Hall in Iowa City was packed the evening of Feb. 18…

Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague gives his sixth State of the City address Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Emma J. Harvat Hall.

New child care center, window replacement among UI projects seeking approval at Board of Regents meeting next week

The University of Iowa is seeking approval from the Iowa Board of Regents for four…

Stead Family Children’s Hospital connects to John Pappajohn Pavillion in March 2023. CREDIT UNIVERSITY OF IOWA.

Coral Ridge Mall’s Partner to Empower program helps entrepreneurs overcome barriers, build legacy

Partner to Empower, an entrepreneurial program offered through Coral Ridge Mall for underrepresented business owners,…

Daneya Jacobs, owner of Delaware-based Candy Connections and past participant of Partner to Empower. CREDIT DANEYA JACOBS

ICCSD, Junior Achievement look to expand career readiness at Center for Innovation

The Iowa City Community School District is ramping up a project-based learning initiative to introduce…

Iowa City Community School District sign by Dodge Street.