Richard Pratt's stories

Greg Samorajski IPERS CEO

IPERS is ‘secure and guaranteed for life,’ CEO says in Cedar Rapids stop

Despite proposals floated this summer to dramatically revamp the funding structure of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS), “the benefit is secure and guaranteed for life no matter what,” IPERS CEO Greg Samorajski said Wednesday, Dec. 3 during a…

Waypoint campaign to establish apartments for residents without homes

As Waypoint Services works to transition the 30-year-old Madge Phillips Center from a shelter to…

Waypoint Apartments homeless

Final building in The Fountains under construction

A mixed-use building under construction in The Fountains in northeast Cedar Rapids will serve as…

Fountains development final building

Local restaurateur Jade Luter flips concepts for Pregame Brew & Chew, Mas Margaritas

A number of new developments are in the works for several locations in local restaurateur…

Pregame Brew & Chew Jade Luter

QTS speaker at CBJ symposium: Data centers, AI are already central to modern society

Data centers, and their AI processing capabilities, have grown to become an integral part of…

QTS speaker David McCall CBJ Symposium

Hiawatha leaders hail Igram Village as ‘monumental development’

Hiawatha leaders hailed the Igram Village project as a “monumental development” in the city’s history…

Igram Village Hiawatha groundbreaking

As Google considers Linn County data center, county leaders seek water resource study

As Google reportedly considers building its second data center complex in Linn County, county supervisors…

Construction continues at Google’s data center project, near the intersection of 76th Avenue and Edgewood Road SW, Cedar Rapids.

Alliant Energy ‘deprioritizing’ proposed Fairfax site for new power plant

UPDATED WITH FAIRFAX CITY ADMINISTRATOR COMMENT: In the wake of concerns raised by Eastern Iowa…

Alliant power plant proposed location

Sierra Club: Restarting Duane Arnold would be ‘a mistake’

Restarting the Duane Arnold Energy Center nuclear power plant near Palo would be “a mistake”…

Duane Arnold Energy Center nuclear

EntreFEST to be held in Iowa City in 2026

The 2026 edition of EntreFEST will be held in Iowa City, organizers announced Wednesday, Sept.…

Alex Taylor NewBoCo EntrreFEST

Juliet Abdel talks Cedar Rapids’ appeal, development strategy and more

Juliet Abdel began her tenure July 28 as president and CEO of the Cedar Rapids…

Juliet Abdel speaks at the grand opening ceremony for EIHC's new pharmacy Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT

Utilities, advocacy groups united in support for renewable energy development

Iowa utility companies and advocacy groups are largely united in their support of developing large-scale…

Nordex reopening West Branch

Burlington Trailways laying off Iowa workers as company discontinues intercity bus service

Burlington Trailways will be laying off a number of employees in Eastern Iowa, including in…

Burlington Trailways bus

Developers unveil preliminary plans for project at former Marion library site

Preliminary plans and renderings have been unveiled for a development project at former Marion Public…

Marion library site rendering 1

Hiawatha City Council approves development agreement for $14 million Igram Village project

The Hiawatha City Council unanimously approved a development agreement Tuesday night, Sept. 16 with Igram…

Igram Village townhomes

Airport Commission report: Proposed Alliant power plant poses safety risks to Eastern Iowa Airport

UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: A gas-fired power plant proposed by Alliant Energy should not be…

Alliant power plant proposed location