Grant leo Winterer

For the first time in its nearly 30-year history, the African American Cultural and Historical Museum is opening to the public. It was previously open by appointment only, but that is changing this month thanks to a nationwide fundraising effort.

The Waterloo after-school literacy program co-founded by Nikole Hannah-Jones will host the city’s 19th African American Read-In after the city’s school district withdrew from the statewide program last month.

Iowa’s longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Leach has died at 82 years old. Leach was born and raised in Davenport and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 until 2007. He was a Republican, but broke from his party in 2008, when he endorsed Barack Obama for president over John McCain.

Over Veterans Day weekend in Waterloo, several residents received fliers for the Aryan Freedom Network, a white supremacist group that claims official chapters in over half of the United States. The incident is the latest in a string of hate-speech disturbances in the area since July.

Incumbent Ashley Hinson is looking to keep the district in the Republican column against newcomer Democrat Sarah Corkery

Two dozen gardeners in Waterloo are blending gardening techniques to feed their community. Despite the obstacles they have faced, their harvest leaves plenty to share.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows three quarters of the state has had adequate rainfall this spring.

The 1619 Freedom School is working to close the literacy gap in the city’s elementary schools.

The shelter will provide access to area housing and counseling services.

Over the past two years, $900,000 has been transferred from the university’s general fund to cover a shortfall in the athletics budget.