Richard Pratt's stories

McDonald's new restaurant

New McDonald’s planned for northeast Cedar Rapids

Plans for a new McDonald’s restaurant in northeast Cedar Rapids are moving forward. At its meeting this week, the Cedar Rapids City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone properties at 1712 32nd St. NE and 3201…

Racing and Gaming Commission to review petition seeking to block Linn County casino

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission voted Thursday, Nov. 21 to set a briefing schedule…

Alan Ostergren Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission casino petition review

Public input on proposed Cedar Rapids casino focus on competition, nonprofits

More than 100 commenters voiced their views on a proposed Cedar Rapids casino during a…

Katie Hallman Cedar Rapids casino public input

Cedar Ridge expands national profile with bottling partnerships

Cedar Ridge Distillery’s bourbon has gone pro. Pro football, that is. For the second consecutive…

Jamie Siefken, president and general manager of Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, holds bottles of Grit City and Bird Gang bourbon in one of the distillery's barrel sheds. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT

Mercy Medical Center hosts ribbon-cutting at new Marion ER

Leaders from Mercy Medical Center and the city of Marion hailed the completion of Mercy’s…

Mercy Marion ER ribbon-cutting

Des Moines group launches campaign against proposed Cedar Rapids casino

A Des Moines-based group has launched a campaign against the effort to obtain a gaming…

Cedar Crossing casino new rendering

Taco Gato in downtown Cedar Rapids closing

Taco Gato, a downtown Cedar Rapids restaurant that’s become known for its innovative take on…

Taco Gato Cedar Rapids

Marion Chamber touts accomplishments at annual meeting

As Chris Wheeler recapped his term as 2024 Marion Chamber of Commerce board chair during…

Chris Wheeler Point Builders Marion Chamber annual meeting

Hawkeye Downs redevelopment project moving ahead

Work is under way on a redevelopment project that promises to transform the Hawkeye Downs…

Hawkeye Downs redevelopment plan

Texas Roadhouse to move to new Edgewood Road site in 2025

After nearly a quarter century of operation on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids, Texas…

Texas Roadhouse owners groundbreaking move

Tiffany O’Donnell named CBJ’s 2024 Most Influential Leader

Even as a prominent local figure who’s now been named the Corridor Business Journal’s Most…

Tiffany O'Donnell

Month-long Teamsters strike against Cargill resolved

The month-long Teamsters Local 238 strike against the Cargill corn milling plant in southeast Cedar…

Cargill corn plant Cedar Rapids

NextEra president addresses Duane Arnold nuclear plant’s potential restart

NextEra Energy chairman, president and chief executive officer John Ketchum said this week the company…

Duane Arnold Energy Center

Eastern Iowa Airport receives $3.6 million federal grant for new baggage handling control system

The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids has received a $3.6 million federal grant from…

Eastern Iowa Airport gates baggage handling

New affordable housing development planned near westside library site

A new 192-unit affordable housing development is in the works adjacent to the site of…

Westside housing project rendering

Marion city council approves six-month extension of limited development moratorium

The City of Marion has extended its development moratorium in key rapidly-growing portions of the…

Marion development moratorium map