Good morning, Waterloo.

Community members gathered in Cedar Falls early today for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Cedar Ridge Christian School, formerly Waterloo Christian School.

The school enrolls about 400 students—90 of whom are new—and plans to grow to 550 over five years while keeping small classes.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture announced a $200k grant to the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks program to fight food insecurity in Northeast Iowa today—this initiative will connect six food banks, including the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo, with local farmers to support nearly 45,000 people in need. Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig and executive director Barb Prather stressed that the program will help feed people and boost small local businesses.

Joni Ernst’s decision not to run for reelection means Iowa will have open-seat races for the U.S. Senate and governor next fall—experts say this reshuffling may affect voter turnout and party balance statewide.

MercyOne infant Knox, six months old, is heading to the Big Apple for the National Down Syndrome Society Times Square Video Presentation today—his appearance spotlights a national event.

Waterloo’s Riverfront Stadium will host a free Cy-Hawk game watch party tomorrow—doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the game starts at 11 a.m., with fans encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair to watch the game from the field.

Yoga on the Plaza

10:30-11:30 a.m. — River Place Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy a refreshing yoga session outdoors and connect with the community.

Denali's On The River Iowa PGA Pro-Am

11 AM – 5 PM — River Ridge Golf Course — $50 — Play a round of golf with Iowa Section PGA Pros in a friendly competition format.

Bilingual Preschool Storytime

10:30-11:00 a.m. — Waterloo Public Library — Free entry — Experience enchanting stories in English and ASL for young children and their caregivers.

Octopus Bingo Night

8-10 p.m. — Octopus — No cover — Enjoy a fun night of bingo hosted by Matt Anderson at this friendly neighborhood bar.

Bob Dorr's Blues Jam

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Octopus — No cover — Groove to live blues tunes at the neighborhood bar and enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere.

Grundy Center vs. Dike-New Hartford Varsity Football Game

7-9 p.m. — Dike-New Hartford High School — Entry fee varies — Experience the thrill of a high school football showdown under the Friday night lights.

Family Storytime

10:30-11:00 a.m. — Waterloo Public Library — Free entry — Experience engaging stories for the whole family every Saturday morning.

Pioneer Craft Fair

11 AM – 4 PM — Grundy County Conservation — Free entry — Celebrate history with crafts, food, and entertainment for all ages.

Sound Healing Experience

6:30 p.m. — River Place Plaza — $15 per person or pay what you can — Immerse yourself in a relaxing sound bath with crystal sound bowls.

Computer Basics Workshop

11 AM – 12 PM — Waterloo Public Library — Registration required — Explore the essentials of computer usage and get your questions answered in a supportive environment.