Richard Pratt's stories

Kirkwood receives nearly $625,000 in annual TRIO grants
Kirkwood Community College has secured two federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grants totaling $624,895 annually for the next five years. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, aims to improve retention and graduation rates for students who…
Marion City Council begins process to close Marion airport runway
While allowing for the possibility of a viable alternate plan emerging, the Marion City Council…

The Golden Apple buffet officially opens in southwest Cedar Rapids
Buffet lovers, rejoice – The Golden Apple, the newest buffet restaurant in Cedar Rapids, finally…

Cedar Rapids officials ‘optimistic’ about attracting new grocer to former First Avenue Hy-Vee
Cedar Rapids officials said this week they’re increasingly “optimistic” about the prospects for attracting a…

Ingredion planning $48.5 million plant expansion in Cedar Rapids
Ingredion is planning a $48.5 million expansion of their plant in southwest Cedar Rapids, a…

This ‘dynamic duo’ is setting bold new course for downtown Cedar Rapids
This is the first article of a two-part series examining the landscape of downtown Cedar…

New Dick’s House of Sport at former Sears could lead to closing of existing Dick’s Sporting Goods store
The opening of a new Dick’s House of Sport in the former Sears store in…

City of Marion seeks to sell runway at Marion Municipal Airport
The City of Marion is pursuing an initiative to end its ownership of the runway…

Uptown Marion could support upscale hotel, study indicates
Uptown Marion has the capacity to support an upscale, 80- to 90-room hotel, according to…

Meisheid named chair of Linn County Board of Supervisors
Supervisor Brandy Z. Meisheid has been named chair of the Linn County Board of Supervisors…

Former AMC theater in Cedar Rapids set to become trampoline park
It seems the former AMC Classic Westdale 12 movie theater in southwest Cedar Rapids will…

Neumann to step down as Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance executive director
Doug Neumann has announced plans to step down as executive director of the Cedar Rapids…

Redevelopment projects set to transform former Transamerica site
UPDATED with new comments: After years of starts and stops, a pair of redevelopment projects…

A new chapter for former Newport’s Flowers building
While the days of Newport’s Flowers in Cedar Rapids have ended, the florists’ onetime home…

Commission won’t pause its casino decisions, as lawsuit seeks to block Cedar Rapids casino
UPDATE: In a brief special virtual meeting Monday morning, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission…

New Cedar Rapids casino to open on New Year’s Eve 2026
The new Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center in northwest Cedar Rapids is slated to…
