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🌱 Patch AM: Will your child’s school switch to district-run before-school care?

Be sure to catch Project GREEN Second Sunday Garden Forum 2026 on the Iowa City Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Iowa City? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will your child’s school switch to district-run before-school care?
  • What this state ruling means for Iowa City’s historic archives
  • How Iowa City’s free buses are changing traffic, air, and wallets

Also on today's calendar: Project GREEN Second Sunday Garden Forum 2026 and 2 more events.

Find out what's happening in Iowa Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Iowa Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 49 and low of 36 degrees.
  • Thursday: Turning cloudy, p.m. rain, temps: high: 47, low: 35.
  • Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 44 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Iowa City district to pilot expanded before-and after-school childcare (press-citizen.com) — Families in the Iowa City Community School District could soon see district-run before- and after-school childcare at four elementary schools, potentially easing long waitlists and standardizing costs and hours. The pilot at Alexander, Grant Wood, Twain, and Garner could launch by fall, with a new program manager hired this spring and a full feasibility review by winter 2027.
   

2. Closure of Iowa City's Historical Society site was OK, state org rules (press-citizen.com) — Iowa’s Administrative Services Department has ruled that closing the Iowa City State Historical Society facility complied with state law, relying on a new partnership with the University of Iowa for research access. Local historians, led by longtime Iowa City archivist Mary Bennett, argue the move endangers collections long housed in the Centennial Building and plan to appeal in Johnson County District Court.
   

3. New York Times profiles Iowa City's free bus service, reduced emissions (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Iowa City’s fare-free bus system is drawing national attention from the New York Times for boosting ridership, cutting carbon emissions, and easing traffic more than two years after launch. Local leaders and riders describe how the policy is saving residents money, supporting downtown, and positioning the city as a rare national model for climate-friendly public transit.
   

4. Bruce Teague reelected Iowa City mayor (thegazette.com) — Bruce Teague has been reelected mayor of Iowa City in a close 4-3 council vote, extending his leadership as the city tackles housing, public safety, mental health, climate action, and infrastructure. Council member Megan Alter was also chosen as mayor pro tem, signaling how this new council will organize its work and priorities for residents.
   

5. Time Machine: Iowa City's Centennial Building (thegazette.com) — Iowa City’s historic Centennial Building, long home to the State Historical Society’s library, is now closed to the public as a legal battle decides whether its collections can be moved to Des Moines. The story traces the building’s roots from early statehood through funding fights and a 1970s deed agreement that could determine the facility’s future in Iowa City.
   

📸 Around Iowa City

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hi neighbors!
    My name is Alyssa, and I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a specialization in Reading. I am looking for a nanny position… (Nextdoor Shimek)
  • I must admit that I was under the misconception that the resin Identification code on plastics (#1-7) determined if it was recyclable, however, after reading the Iowa City webpage on the city’s recycling program, the numbers do not indicate if an
    item is recyclable in the Iowa City recycling program. What really surprised me was that the clamshell plastic containers, that most fruits come in,… (Nextdoor Benton/Sunset)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Maintenance Operator Wastewater in Iowa City. Apply here.
  • Target posted a job opening for On-Demand: Guest Advocate (Cashier), General Merchandise, Fulfillment (T3374) 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: I nailed it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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