Iowa

African American Museum of Iowa brings back Kwanzaa celebration

Published

10 months ago

December 29, 2024

African American Museum of Iowa brings back Kwanzaa celebration

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Kwanzaa celebrations have returned to the African American Museum of Iowa.

The Cedar Rapids museum hosted a Kwanzaa event on Saturday, and organizers said it was the first event of its type for the museum in about 20 years.

The holiday of Kwanzaa consists of seven principles, and Michelle Edwards, a member of Women in NAACP (WIN), can tell you how her life is a reflection of those ideas.

Edwards wrote a children’s book, which she said connected to one Kwanzaa principle in particular.

“It goes along with the principle of Nia, and [that] stands for purpose,” she said.

The book Edwards was selling at Saturday’s event was about not being afraid of storms.

“My motto was never put a period on your life, so this gave my writing that I’ve always done a purpose,” she said.

Organizers of Saturday’s event said Kwanzaa was about purpose, as well as empowerment, self-determination, and joy.

“It’s a celebration of Black culture, Black life,” said Jacqueline Hunter, Museum Educator for the African American Museum Of Iowa. “The things that we are thankful for from the past, what we are looking to do, and focusing on the future.”

While the holiday was a celebration of Black life, Hunter added that anyone can live by the Kwanzaa principles.

“This is an event that is inspired by Black life, but we live among the community, and we want people to share in the experiences that we have here at the museum.”

“To me it’s about unity, uniting this community. I think about peace, peace in this world,” said Nancy Humbles, Chairperson of WIN.

A question Kwanzaa poses is “How can we be our best?” and the answer on Saturday was found in an afternoon of shared togetherness, and in the attention paid to how that togetherness can inspire.

“It gives you the strength, the umph to keep going,” said Edwards. “Because sometimes when you start things that are even in your purpose, you don’t always finish them and Kwanzaa—the concept of Kwanzaa helps you get there. Gives you that extra push.”

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Iowa

Iowa physician again faces sex-related disciplinary charges

Published

14 hours ago

November 3, 2025

Press Room

Iowa physician again faces sex-related disciplinary charges

An Iowa physician previously sanctioned for sexual misconduct is now facing disciplinary charges of sexual harassment. The Iowa Board of Medicine has charged Dr. Danny Lewis Jr., a family-practice physician from Waterloo, with unprofessional conduct and sexual harassment. The board has not disclosed any information as to the nature of the conduct that gave rise […]

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Iowa

Obituary for John Daniel Steinke at Overton Funeral Home

Published

1 day ago

November 2, 2025

Press Room

Obituary for John Daniel Steinke at Overton Funeral Home

John Daniel Steinke, 56, of Indianola, Iowa, passed away Friday, October 31, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. He was born on October 30, 1969 in St. Catherines Hospital, McCook, Nebraska to John Robert Steinke and Kay Graham Steinke and his brother Kurt followed in 1972. They lived

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Iowa

Iowa DNR releases Rainbow Trout into Stolley Park Pond outside Spencer

Published

2 days ago

November 2, 2025

Press Room

Iowa DNR releases Rainbow Trout into Stolley Park Pond outside Spencer

SPENCER, Iowa (KCAU) —Dozens of folks gathered at Stolley Park Pond outside of Spencer on Saturday hoping to catch rainbow trout.

The Iowa DNR released about 1,500 rainbow trout into the pond Saturday afternoon.

Previously, the trout release was held at Scharnberg Park in rural Clay County. The switch to Stolley Park was made because of the proximity to Spencer and to bring more people out to the park.

“It’s just to help increase the fishing success, the fishing catchability in these ponds. We’ve actually in the last three years we’ve put a lot of work back into Stolleys Park to increase the fishing success we’ve been working closely with the DNR, the local fisheries biologists. It just adds in another element that really draws attention to the area when you do these urban fish stockings like this and it’s really great success for people to come out and catch fish.” Said Spencer Parks and Recs Director Bob Fullhart.

To fish for the trout, you will need to get a “trout stamp” on your fishing license, which you can get anywhere that sells fishing licenses. There is a daily bag limit of five trout and children under 16 may fish for free if they fish with a licensed adult.

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