Iowa

African American Museum of Iowa brings back Kwanzaa celebration

Published

12 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

Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident

Published

5 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two suspects in the incident at the Lyon County, Iowa, courthouse were arrested in Spearfish, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post earlier Saturday.

The sheriff’s office identified two suspects as Brandon Lyle High Pipe, 39, and Luciano Eliseo Sanchez, 18, in a social media post on Thursday. Nationwide warrants were issued for the two suspects.

The sheriff’s office said on Tuesday the courthouse had burglarized overnight. The damage inside includes writing on walls, broken glass, tipped-over Christmas trees and other items tossed around.

The incident caused the courthouse to be closed for at least one day.

The sheriff’s office said on Saturday morning that more information should be released later.

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Iowa

Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests

Published

17 hours ago

December 20, 2025

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Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Grace Fincham led the West High girls to a second-half comeback in a 60-51 win over City High, giving the Trojans a win on their rival’s home floor.

The Trojans improve to 6-2 with the win. The Little Hawks drop to 6-2.

In the boys’ nightcap, the Little Hawks’ comeback attempt fell short, as the Trojans held on for a 53-51 win.

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Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan

The loss of LeVar Woods, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ long-time, elite special teams coordinator, cannot be dismissed. The Hawkeyes have consistently been among the nation’s best special teams units, from punting to kicking to owning the return and field position battle.

With LeVar Woods departing Iowa for Big Ten foe, the Michigan State Spartans, the Hawkeyes have a big hole to fill, and head coach Kirk Ferentz spoke to the media this week on what that succession plan may look like.

“Yeah, it’s not a light decision. The trick will be to find the next LeVar Woods. He’s done a fantastic job. He didn’t have the profile necessarily maybe at that point to predict what he was going to do, but he’s done all the work. It’s like a good player; players do the work. LeVar has done a great job immersing himself and learning every aspect and then growing with each and every turn. So I guess I’m describing what we’re looking for, a guy who’s a good coach, who’s eager to take a challenge on, and immerse themselves in that world.

“Special teams is a unique niche, if you will. I’m sure we’ll have good candidates. It’s not pressing right now in my mind. What is pressing is the next two weeks getting ready for the game, and then after that we’ll have eight plus weeks or eight plus months actually to get it right. I don’t plan on waiting until August to fill it, but we’ll figure that out when we get in the new year,” Ferentz said about LeVar Woods.

The past few seasons, Iowa has been elite on special teams with kicker Drew Stevens being incredibly consistent, the punting game flipping fields, and the run of returners consisting of Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Charlie Jones, Cooper DeJean, and Kaden Wetjen.

The Hawkeyes have won more than their fair share of games relying on this unit, and to continue that success, Ferentz needs to hit on this hire.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

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