Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What’s next in the Iowa City Ped Mall shooting trial?

Spotted on the Iowa City calendar: Captured Pearl Earrings

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Thursday August 27th Patch AM
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Greetings Iowa City! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What's next in the Iowa City Ped Mall shooting trial?
  • Why Iowa City's game-day rentals are booming despite high property taxes
  • Why Kirk Ferentz is still undecided on Iowa's starting quarterback

Also on today's calendar: Captured Pearl Earrings and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Friday: Sunny to partly cloudy, temps: high: 84, low: 62.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 83 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Teens tied to Iowa City Ped Mall shooting to be tried together in 2027 (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — A high-profile case tied to the Iowa City Ped Mall shooting will see two Cedar Rapids teens tried together in January 2027 on multiple attempted murder charges. Prosecutors say the April incident followed a large fight downtown, with six shots fired into a crowd and five people injured, while the defense plans to argue self-defense and defense of others.
   

2. 10 College Towns Where Football Saturdays Pay Your Mortgage in 2026 (biggerpockets.com) — Iowa City shows up as one of the stronger college-football short‑term rental markets, with rising revenue, high occupancy, and relatively few active listings. Thanks to state rules, the city can't heavily restrict short stays, so investors mainly need a standard rental permit and housing-code compliance, even as Iowa's higher property taxes nibble at returns.
   

3. Iowa starting quarterback decision will come down to game week (kcrg.com) — With the Hawkeyes' season opener just days away in Iowa City, head coach Kirk Ferentz still hasn't chosen between quarterbacks Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, who continue splitting first-team reps. Ferentz says the decision will come down to which QB runs the offense more consistently, while the offensive line picture is already clearer.
   

4. Toxic Taps: Panel Of Experts Discuss Iowa Water Quality Crisis (blogforiowa.com) — Iowa City residents can join a free, livestreamed panel at the Iowa City Public Library on Sept. 3 to dig into the state's water quality and cancer concerns. Experts from the University of Iowa and UNI will unpack nitrate and pesticide pollution, explain real-time monitoring efforts, and discuss why advocates are pushing for stronger CAFO rules and restored state funding.
   

5. Local police departments mull the importance of bias training (dailyiowan.com) — Iowa City police are scaling back formal bias training after a new state law ended the annual mandate, while Coralville and North Liberty departments look for ways to keep such lessons in their schedules. City officials say most Iowa City officers have already completed bias training, but a University of Iowa expert warns reduced requirements could worsen trust and equity in policing.
   

📸 Around Iowa City

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Iowa City

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Saturday August 29
  • Captured Pearl Earrings →
    Beadology Iowa, 355 S Clinton St, Iowa City
    10:00 am
    • Monday August 31
  • School Photos
    North Central Junior High School North Central Middle School
    8:50 am
    • Thursday September 3
  • Super Band Lesson
    Grant Elementary School North Central Junior High, 180 W Forevergreen Rd, North Liberty, IA 52317, USA
    6:00 pm
  • Band | Super Lesson
    Van Allen Elementary School Iowa City, IA 52245
    6:00 pm

📣 Iowa City Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I found these keys on Riverside Drive between Burlington and Newton Rd.
    Turned them into Campus Safety. It's in Old Capitol Town Center across from Raising Cane. (Nextdoor University Heights)
  • The Little Victories
    Sometimes life isn't about the huge victories. Sometimes it's the little things—a good morning, a laugh you didn't expect, a meal you were able to… (Nextdoor Wetherby-Grant)
  • Firehouse Subs - Firehouse Restaurant Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Manager Iowa City in Iowa City. Apply here.
  • Trilogy Corporate Services posted a job opening for Daytime Office Cleaning Technician (Part Time: M-F 1:00 PM-6:00 PM) in Iowa City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Iowa City here.

Ok Iowa City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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