Apologies for a knee-jerk reaction

With the election behind us and a strong shift in dynamics at the Congressional level, I thought it might be a chance to take a breath. It really was a fascinating, albeit exhausting, mid-term election cycle. At the outset, and I’ve been thinking about this for the past five days,...

Shipley Wins Narrow Victory in Iowa House District 87

Incumbent Republican Jeff Shipley has won re-election to Iowa’s 87th House District on Tuesday, November 3rd, defeating Democratic challenger Tom O’Donnell by a margin of 326 votes out of 12,266 cast — a rematch of their 2024 contest. Shipley received 6,284 votes (51%) to O’Donnell’s 5,958 (49%)....

Wapello County voters reject jail expansion bond

OTTUMWA, Iowa (KYOU) - Wapello County voters rejected an almost $45 million jail expansion. Roughly two-thirds voted no. Sheriff Don Phillips, who pushed for the 168-bed expansion, said he also struggled to sell it to voters. “I couldn’t justify trying to sell this and have a $45 million building sitting...

Revenge of the White Working Class

But what happens next?

Iowa officials expand list of measles exposure locations

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa health officials have identified a new location where people may have been exposed to measles. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and local public health agencies said people who visited Hy-Vee at 3111 Main Street in Keokuk on Friday, Oct. 30 between 1:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. should watch for symptoms. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and rash.

Proposed $15B steel plant in Lee County draws jobs optimism, environmental concerns

LEE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) - Lee County could soon be home to the largest steel plant in the United States, however, the plans are also drawing concerns from those who live near the site. “It is absolutely disgusting to see the greed of local politicians and businesses and their support...

ITC Midwest Begins Pre-Construction Work on 52-Mile Transmission Line Through Wapello & Jefferson County

ITC Midwest is moving into the preliminary stage of a major high-voltage electric transmission line project that will run through eastern Wapello, Jefferson and Henry counties in southeast Iowa. The Coddington-Ottumwa project will upgrade approximately 52 miles of transmission line from the Ottumwa Generating Station near Ottumwa to a new...

Proposed $15 billion steel project draws questions from Lee County residents

LEE COUNTY, Iowa. - A proposed $15 billion steel manufacturing complex in Lee County is drawing attention across southeast Iowa, as residents seek answers about its potential impact on the community. Mesabi Metallics says the facility would process iron ore from Minnesota into finished steel products. Company officials say the...

The Fort Madison City Council was supposed to host a public hearing this past Monday night on a draft ordinance aimed at regulating data centers and other industrial and business structures within city limits

The Fort Madison City Council was supposed to host a public hearing this past Monday night on a draft ordinance aimed at regulating data centers and other industrial and business structures within city limits. But that public hearing was canceled because the city planning and zoning department opted to postpone making a recommendation on that ordinance proposal. Instead, the council received a formal update on P&Z’s progress on the topic. The HawkEye reports members of the public were concerned earlier this year after details of a possible data center operation being constructed at 2201 S. Business 61–or “Burlington Hill”–just outside the Fort Madison city limits became publicly known.The Lee County Board of Supervisors passed a one-year moratorium on data center construction back in June, and the Burlington Hill project is now on hold. But P&Z also began working with city staff in July to help craft an amendment to existing city code that could regulate both data centers and other large business and industrial facilities.

Jeff Monken Previews Army-Air Force and Eyeing Commander-in-Chief's Trophy at West Point

State Tax Credits Help Turn Two Former Schools Into Senior Housing

Two vacant schools in southeast Iowa are slated to become affordable housing for older adults, with help from state historic preservation tax credits. In Burlington, the former Apollo Middle School would become 45 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments for residents age 55 and older. The building opened in 1910 as Burlington High School and has stood vacant for decades.

The Bookworm’s Burrow Bookstore Opening this Weekend in Washington

A new bookstore is opening in downtown Washington this weekend. The Bookworm’s Burrow Bookstore will be holding a grand opening celebration on Saturday. The Bookworm’s Burrow is a book and game store that celebrates stories in all forms and they’re officially opening their doors this weekend, inviting the community to stop in, explore, shop, and meet the owner at their grand opening.

State Grant Helps Bring Steakhouse to Downtown Ottumwa

A fire-damaged building in downtown Ottumwa is set to get a second life as a steakhouse, with three apartments upstairs. The building dates back to 1890. A state matching grant will help pay for renovations that will put the restaurant on the ground floor and add housing on the upper floors.

Washington County Receiving Federal Funding to Support Roads

Washington County is one recipient of over $76.2 million in federal funding to improve roadway safety across the state. The funds will be administered through the Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which was established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Washington County will...

New vintage flea market opens in downtown Moline

The place to be in the Quad Cities late afternoon Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026 was 5th Ave. Flea, at 1405 5th Ave., Moline, which held its grand opening with a packed crowd in a packed two-story market. Check-out lines to buy merchandise stretched deep into the diverse business nearly out...

Bettendorf seeks public input on development near I-80 and Middle Road

BETTENDORF, Iowa (KWQC) - The City of Bettendorf is asking residents to help shape the future of the Interstate 80 and Middle Road corridor. City officials hosted a public meeting Thursday evening, giving community members an opportunity to discuss potential development plans directly with the city’s planning consultants. “We...

Moline Native Serves Aboard U.S. Navy Floating Airport

Petty Officer 3rd Class Corey Smith, a native of Moline, Illinois, serves aboard USS Nimitz, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier operating out of Norfolk, Virginia. Smith graduated from Moline High School in 2017. “Growing up, I learned to not be complacent,” Smith said. “In the Navy, being complacent is dangerous, especially...

FCI Thomson’s satellite prison camp set to permanently close

FCI Thomson’s satellite prison camp will permanently close. According to a release from FCI Thomson: On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the Federal Correctional Institution Thomson in Thomson, Illinois announced its adjacent minimum security satellite camp will no longer house inmates. The satellite facility will remain in operation and will be repurposed for staffing and administrative […]

No recount for close state senate race: Scott County auditor

While the majority of votes have been counted and winners declared in races, some are still being decided. The race between Nikhil Wagle and Scott Webster for the Iowa State Senate seat for District 47 has yet to be called, with all precincts reporting and a mere 151 votes separating the two. Kerri Tompkins, Scott […]