Small businesses in Iowa asking for $148 million in state aid
Sarah Watson, Managing Editor
April 8, 2020
Small businesses in the state have submitted 14,000 applications asking for $148 million in assistance from the state, Iowa Economic Authority Director Debbie Durham said Wednesday at the governor's press conference. Of those applicants, about $10 million was doled out to 500 businesses in grants...
University of Iowa med student-run mobile clinic offers free tele-medicine amid COVID-19 pandemic
Will Fineman, News Reporter
April 6, 2020
The University of Iowa Mobile Clinic has transitioned from its traditional, in-person medical services to telemedicine appointments amid social-distancing restrictions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The student-run nonprofit offers free basic health care to primarily uninsured or un...
‘Faith will not be canceled’: Places of worship work to digitize practices, maintain community amid COVID-19
Mary Hartel, News Reporter
April 6, 2020
Classic music and hymns greeted churchgoers signing on to the virtual Palm Sunday services at the First United Methodist Church of Iowa City. As more people logged on to the Facebook livestreamed worship, people began to comment messages normally said face-to-face — “Good morning, everyone” and ...
Iowa City grocers make changes to stay open during COVID-19 pandemic
Mary Hartel, News Reporter
April 1, 2020
Local grocery stores, deemed essential services by the government, will remain open amid widespread mitigation measures in response to the novel-coronavirus outbreak. Many Iowa City businesses are adjusting to meet the needs of their customer base and support the community amid social-distancing a...
Johnson County food pantries collaborate to deliver food during COVID-19
Marissa Smith, News Reporter
March 31, 2020
Local food pantries in Johnson County are teaming up to give back to the community amid the COVID-19 outbreak by providing food for those in need. The service, a partnership between CommUnity Food Bank, Coralville Community Food Bank, IC Compassion, and North Liberty Community Pantry, will deliv...
Big Grove Brewery offers a sip of sustainability for the Iowa City community
Annie Fitzpatrick, News Reporter
March 29, 2020
Big Grove Brewery received a top sustainability certification from the Iowa Waste Reduction Center as part of its Iowa Green Brewery Certification program. The brewery earned what's called a "platinum certification" for its commitment to sustainability within the Iowa City community. According to th...
Delivery drivers work on the front lines of COVID-19 pandemic
Brooklyn Draisey, Managing Editor
March 29, 2020
Jonathan Jackson said there used to be lulls between lunch and dinner. Now, the only time the Chomp delivery driver stops is when he’s waiting for an order. “I have a feeling tonight’s going to be swamped,” he said as we zipped around the city in his black compact car. The Daily Iowan wen...
Iowa governor expands business closures amid increasing COVID-19 spread
Naomi Hofferber, Arts Reporter
March 26, 2020
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday said she would expand her order for businesses to remain closed through April 7, extending her directive to encompass more types of shops. Reynolds announced at a press conference that starting at 10 p.m. Thursday, bookstores, clothing and shoe stores, jewelry sto...
Salon, tattoo parlor owners prepare for COVID-19 closures beyond Iowa governor’s order
Hannah Rovner, News Reporter
March 25, 2020
Melissa Avenson and her stylists have spent the last couple months doing hair in temporary locations, hopping from salon to salon after flooding damaged their Highway 1 location. As owner of Iowa City’s Avenson Salon & Spa, Avenson had been focused on revamping the salon's building, but decided to cl...
Iowa City City Council defers conversation on solar-energy project to next meeting
Annie Fitzpatrick and Rachel Schilke
March 24, 2020
Iowa City and MidAmerican Energy plan to expand the use of renewable energy in Iowa City through a joint solar-energy project at the Iowa City Water Plant. MidAmerican’s request to lease the land went before the Iowa City City Council on March 24 and the council voted to continue the discussion April...
Governor Reynolds announces state-based support for local businesses
Naomi Hofferber, Arts Reporter
March 23, 2020
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced in a press conference Monday afternoon new state-based support for local businesses impacted by COVID-19 closures. This plan would provide grants and delay tax deadlines for small businesses throughout Iowa. “Iowa small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities...
Iowa City makes downtown ramps free of charge, continues spring break bus schedule
Sarah Watson, Managing Editor
March 23, 2020
The City of Iowa City will make most parking free of charge, the city announced in a release Monday. City Administrator Geoff Fruin said during a Monday press conference they had pulled cashiers from the City's parking garages and would be conducting very limited downtown meter parking enforcemen...