Richard Pratt's stories

Judge Michael Schilling Cedar Crossing casino lawsuit

Lawsuit challenging Cedar Crossing casino gaming license denied

An Iowa District Court judge has denied a lawsuit challenging the wording of a 2021 Linn County gambling referendum and the subsequent issuance of a casino gaming license to Linn County, removing a key potential obstacle to the ongoing construction…

Linn County looking to sell Fillmore Center

Linn County officials are pursuing the sale of the county-owned Fillmore Center in northwest Cedar…

Linn County Fillmore Center

Foodliner celebrates grand opening of Cedar Rapids terminal

Foodliner officials gathered Thursday, Nov. 16 to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new…

Foodliner grand opening ribbon cutting

CR Brickstone grand opening celebrates city’s latest affordable housing option

Debi Durham took the opportunity to reference Greek mythology Thursday, Nov. 16 as developers gathered…

Dale Todd CR Brickstone grand opening

Marion passes moratorium on certain commercial developments in fastest-growing areas

Even as the Marion City Council approved the final consideration of an ordinance imposing a…

City of Marion

Chocolate Shop owner, veteran Ben Davis receives SBA’s Impact Award

Ben Davis, co-owner of the Marion Chocolate Shop in Uptown Marion, was recognized with the…

Chocolate Shop Ben Davis SBA award

VIDEO: Ginsberg Jewelers closing after 93 years, four generations of family ownership

Ginsberg Jewelers in Cedar Rapids, one of Iowa’s oldest family-owned jewelers, is closing after 93…

Ginsberg Jewelers

VIDEO TOUR: Pickle Palace inches closer to completion

The name “Pickle Palace” started as an inside joke. But as the 37,455-square-foot, three-story entertainment…

A view of the construction on the Pickle Palace's indoor courts from the building's second-floor balcony. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT

Putting Transamerica on the map

If a nationally-recognized insurance business with nearly 2,500 local employees can be considered a well-kept…

Transamerica national awards

Alliant rate increase proposal draws support, criticism at public comment meeting

Comments were nearly equally split between supporters and opponents as the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB)…

Alliant rate increase public comment Randy Walker

First reading of Linn County ‘agritourism’ ordinance amendment approved

With little discussion, the Linn County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously at a work session…

Wilson's Orchard main building agritourism ordinance

Supporters gather for dedication of HallMar Village senior living community

As supporters and staff gathered Thursday, Nov. 2 for a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for…

HallMar Village exterior

GEICO announces layoff of 25 employees in North Liberty

GEICO has announced a layoff of 25 employees at its North Liberty office, part of…

GEICO North Liberty

Cedar Rapids ‘Go Red for Women’ event set for Nov. 2

Hundreds of people are expected to gather Thursday, Nov. 2 for the Cedar Rapids “Go…

Go Red for Women luncheon

UFG Insurance cuts 40 employees

UFG Insurance, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, has cut 40 employees from its workforce, according to…

UFG Insurance

Solutions Management Group breaks ground in Cedar Rapids

Solutions Management Group (SMG) has begun construction on a new office and warehouse facility in…

Solutions Management Group Cedar Rapids facility