Aaron Hosman

Businesses across the state are closing their doors, at least for now, after new restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19. On Monday, Governor Reynolds issued a public health proclamation, limiting indoor gatherings to 15 people. A wedding venue in Cedar Rapids is now uncertain about its future without government assistance.

Some small business owners say they’re confused over the governor’s new proclamation announced Monday.

The final collection on non-tree-related debris begins Sunday, November 15th. Inorganic and organic debris should be kept separate along the curb, keeping the street and sidewalk clear, according to the city.

Hercules' Haven has had to cancel their winter fundraisers due to concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic. The money usually raised helps support rescue farm animals through the season. People can now individually sponsor an animal through their website.

Joe's Pub is hoping to give a bit more peace of mind to customers as the Covid-19 pandemic continues on. The owner purchased multiple air purifying systems from Global Plasma Solutions, which use ionization to reduce pathogens and viruses in the air.

On Monday and Tuesday, county boards of supervisors across the state spent time confirming, or canvassing, Election Day results.

One Cedar Rapids veteran didn’t have to wait too long for his new roof after a roofer in Benton County heard about his home taking on plenty of damage.

Hillcrest Academy in Kalona has a student body population of 50. In early November, the school became aware of its first three cases of Covid-19 infections. The school's small class size has made distancing and other preventative measures easier to practice.

Despite a record number of Iowan’s casting their ballots on Election Day, nearly 1.7 million votes, Iowa managed to get them all counted before the end of the night. That’s as other states, like Michigan, continues counting into Wednesday. Results is Pennsylvania could take days.

For people planning to vote in-person on Election Day, there are a few things local county auditors want voters to remember.

The mayor of Norway, in Benton County said most homes and structures in town were damaged in the August 10th derecho. He said most homes are repaired or patched to make it through the winter months. Schulze Enterprises LLC, a Norway roofing company is booked into 2021.

With colder weather arriving, the owners of two neighboring small businesses in Cedar Rapids said their future is uncertain. That’s because damage from the derecho is exposing their shops to the elements, hurting their already struggling business base because of the pandemic.

With less than two weeks until the general election, some voters of color in eastern Iowa feel forgotten. On Saturday, candidates for both the Senate and Iowa’s first district were all invited to a forum focusing on black issues in Waterloo. Only one candidate showed up. Advocates in Cedar Rapids say that’s not just problem in Waterloo, and isn’t a new issue just this year.

The first North End 2020 Candidate Forum focused on issues impacting the Black Community. Several candidates running for office were invited to take part in the forum, including Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer, her challenger Ashley Hinson, Senator Joni Ernst, and her challenger Theresa Greenfield. Only Greenfield showed up.

The agricultural leaders hosted roundtables in Tama and Linn County Wednesday. Food processors told Secretary Bill Northey from the USDA that the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program was critical in helping their industries cover losses due to the pandemic.

When traveling through one of Cedar Rapids' busiest roads, First Avenue, drivers run into a bit of slow down and lane closures.

'Save CR Heritage' hosted a sale of items salvaged from historic Cedar Rapids homes. The group's vice president said they hoped to help the owners of historic and older homes trying to find rare items to make repairs, following the August 10th derecho.

Alburnett Schools said it is reviewing its policies with 23 students now isolating at home after getting exposed in the stands at Friday’s football game to COVID-19.

Even nearly two months following the powerful August 10 derecho, some Marion businesses are still forced to be closed.

Bars in both Johnson County and Story County can reopen at 11:59 p.m. Sunday night. Governor Reynolds previously extended a proclamation keeping bars in the two counties closed, due to spikes in Covid-19 infections.

The march ended at the African American Museum of Iowa, where speakers spoke to the importance of leadership and voting. Organizers hoped to allow men of color to network and encourage support for addressing issues like racial justice.

A group of eastern Iowa women said their diversity training business, Captivate, is in greater demand than ever. However, a new executive order from President Trump now bars organizations that use federal funds from certain race and sex-based trainings.

According to the Cedar Rapids Police Department, since the August 10th derecho, officers have logged 10 crashes with a contributing factor of “obstructed views.” A majority of them noted tree debris in the way.

After nearly 10 months of Covid-19 restrictions, there are fewer people driving, which in return, means fewer people buying gas. The Iowa DOT says that also means less money, per gallon for road construction through a gas tax.

River of Life Church's 900 person sanctuary was exposed to the elements after the August 10th derecho. The church now has the green light to safely return to another portion of the building, after weeks of outdoor service.

The second day of the virtual appeal hearing over the firing of former Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Lucas Jones wrapped-up Wednesday evening.

A virtual appeal hearing was held Tuesday involving the termination of former Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Lucas Jones after his June firing.

Mariah Schrack of Dubuque joined over 150 other couples in a lawsuit against the U.S. State Department. The couples are all waiting for K1-Fiancée Visas, which allow someone from outside the country to enter the U.S. and then marry a citizen within 90 days. The lawsuit claims the State Department has deprioritized those visas, after lifting Covid-19 related restrictions on other forms of visa pretentions.

A member of UE 896, the union representing graduate employees at the University of Iowa said the school needs to expand testing and move all courses online before the next semester. He said his union believes that provides the best protections to students and faculty, as the number of self-reported cases nears 2,000.

NESTS or Nurturing Every Student Together Safely, was formed to fill the gaps in the Iowa City Community School District's Return to Learn Plan for vulnerable and at risk youth. The centers provide things like childcare, support for online learning platforms and address language barriers.

The Community Transpiration Committee is pushing for all bus passes to work between both the Iowa City and Coralville bus systems. Currently, only the most expensive pass does that. The group also wants the system to serve people who work second or third shift, or work Sundays.

The Atkins Memorial Union Hall lost its roof in the August 10th derecho. Days of rain have only made the damage inside the building worse. Tonya Lyle of Atkins is planning a 5K run/walk in town to benefit the Legion's repairs.

The Executive Director of Buchanan County Economic Development said she’s only aware of two shops in the county closing due to the pandemic. One business owner bought a second shop, a restaurant, before Covid-19 related shutdowns, but said business is now going well thanks to her community.

Cornell College's President said the school is using rapid antigen tests to tests hundreds of students daily. Most students also live on campus, making testing and control of the virus easier.

Developers hope the 'Clean and Contain Scale' can be used by all types of businesses and organizations to help people understand what they are doing and what they can improve upon to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

Over 60 animals and counting have been brought in to an eastern Iowa wildlife rehabilitation center and sanctuary following the August 10th derecho. Some animals were either orphaned, displaced or injured in the storm.

Because of Covid-19, the center is all run through the window of your car while wearing a mask. FEMA is urging people to register online or over the phone and only come to this in-person site if you need help uploading documents.

Two women from Marion wanted to help those impacted by the dercecho. So together they started selling t-shirts which quickly raised $6,000 dollars and they now have plans to produce more.

On Monday, Waypoint Services along with other homeless assistance organizations met with FEMA, the city and county to develop a plan to address the now growing homeless population. Collectively they are trying to create a community assessment to identify how they can best help and develop a centralized system.

Two mobile homes are still without power in one Cedar Rapids mobile home park. That's after many residents moved out and aren't coming back because of the extent of damage.

Dozens of families, many non-English speakers, living at the Arrowridge and Shamrock Apartments on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids had to move out of their units Sunday for storm damage repairs.

Tom Fruehling, a 75-year-old Vietnam veteran and popular Coolidge Elementary crossing guard needed help cleaning up storm damage to his home after the derecho. Dozens of people showed up Saturday to help, including students, both past and present he's mentored for years.

The owners of the Reuben Ash Home estimate that for nearly 180 years, a pine tree stood strong on their property, towering over most every other tree around it. After last week's powerful derecho, that same tree crushed part of the house and a crane service was needed to remove it.

Rochelle Meeks of Cedar Rapids suffers from a long list of medical problems like lupus, asthma, diabetes and tubes in her heart. Now, on day eight with no power, her health is becoming more of a concern.

Pamela Smith says she had to throw out $400 dollars worth of food after not having power for days. Now her family of seven is turning to places like city-run neighborhood resource centers for food and assistance. Five centers were set up Monday across Cedar Rapids.

After Monday's derecho, 11-year-old Christopher, with the help of his mom, started cleaning up their Cedar Rapids neighborhood. One person donated a wheelbarrow and other tools so Christopher can keep working.

Residents at Moundview Manor Apartments in Marion had their first hot meal following Monday's storm on Friday. Elevators are also off in the three-story building and some people are without flashlights and other supplies.

Things like ice and charcoal are now hard to find across Linn County as people prepare for a third night without power.

An employee at Culver's Garden Center in Marion says during the early part of the season, business increased, especially when stimulus checks were issued.

Online sales helped the Chocolate Haus in Amana during the early part of the pandemic. Now, as foot traffic in the area begins to pick-up, they are looking to hire additional staff.