CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Four organizations have formed a an advocacy group calling for reform in the way utility companies set rate increases. The entities that make up the group are Iowa Business Energy Coalition, Iowa Economic Alliance, Iowa Business for Clean Energy, and Large Energy Group. Although the coalition doesn’t have a group name.
The group cited Alliant Energy’s most recent rate increase as a concern for both residents and businesses. Alliant’s increase was approved by the Iowa Utilities Commission back in Sept. In a news release, the group called Alliant a monopoly.
According to the U-S Energy Information Administration, Alliant had the highest electric rates in all of Iowa in 2023. And Iowa’s average rate was higher than 37 other states.
The advocate group said the cost of electricity is making it harder to operate a business in Iowa. It said the larger companies in Cedar Rapids like Quaker Oats and the hospitals already have expensive electric bills every month and the increase has added to that.
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“Some of these larger customers, their bills are a million dollars or more. So when you’re talking about some of the increases they’ve recently seen, a 15% increase, that’s a substantial impact,” Dave Vognsen with Large Energy Group said.
The business group also suggested changing how Iowa utilities can charge customers for future projects. Right now, electric companies can charge customers before they start a new project.
“What the utilities plan for in their resource plans are eventually going to be paid for by customers,” Vognsen said. “So that’s why it’s important to take a look and make sure you know that it’s the least cost based upon the needs of customers,” he said.
Ultimately, the group said it is pushing for legislation changes that would allow the Iowa Utilities Commission to regulate the way utility companies increase their rates, serving as a check of sorts.
“The commission can make sure those decisions are based on the best interests or rate payers and not just in the best interest of the utilities,” Bob Rafferty with Iowa Business for Clean Energy said.
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KCRG reached out to Alliant Energy about the group’s push for reform. It said in a statement:
“We remain committed to cost-effectively meeting customers’ energy supply needs. Investing in a diverse energy mix and modernizing the energy grid delivers a more reliable, sustainable, resilient and secure energy future. The IUC’s decision positions us to accomplish this as we continue planning ahead, acting on behalf of our customers to ensure we’re ready to manage the rapidly changing energy landscape,”
On the eve of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, Iowa basketball’s Bennett Stirtz has been talked about on several mock draft boards as potentially being the Hawkeyes’ first opening-round selection since Kris Murray was chosen No. 23 overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2023.
As the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder from Liberty, Missouri, prepares to join a collection of future stars in the NBA draft green room on Tuesday night, CBS Sports’ most recent NBA mock draft projects the former Hawkeye to slide to the back of the first round and be selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers at the No. 29 overall slot.
Here is what CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno had to say about his projection for Stirtz:
One of the point guards is bound to slide a bit on draft night. I could see that being Stirtz. The Iowa star has had an incredible rise from playing at the Division II level to being a likely first-round pick. This would be a BPA (best player available) pick from the Cavs.
In his one season with the Hawkeyes after transferring from Drake, Stirtz was the centerpiece of Iowa’s historic March Madness run that saw the program reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987, averaging 19.8 points and 4.4 assists per game on 47.7% field goal shooting and 35.8% 3-point shooting in his 37 games played.
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While a slide for Stirtz is not ideal given his immense talent, falling to a Cavaliers squad that has appeared in back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals is certainly not something to scoff at.
With a 36-year-old James Harden at the starting point guard position alongside 32-year-old Dennis Schroder, the Cavaliers will likely look for more youth at the position to add alongside Craige Porter Jr. and 2025 2nd-round pick Tyrese Proctor.
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft will be nationally broadcast on ABC from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. CT on June 23.
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Iowa Realtors Association data shows the number of Iowa home sales in May jumped 17.3% compared to April.
Iowa Realtors President Erik Melloy says Iowa’s housing market was active and balanced in May. Homes were on the market for about 10 days, compared to 12 days in April. The median sales price for a home in May was $260,000. That’s 5.1% higher than April.
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The number of pending home sales was up 4.1% in May compared to the same month a year ago. The Realtors report tracks the sale of Iowa condos and townhomes, too, and shows both a reduction in the median time on the market and an increase in the number of closed sales of condos and townhomes in May.
The Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball team has been on fire on the recruiting trail in recent weeks, putting together one of the top-ranked recruiting classes in the country.
T.J. Otzelberger has three players who have committed to the program in the Class of 2027. First, it was Josiah Harrington, who committed in September 2024 and has not wavered. Next, it was Donovan Davis, who committed on May 6, and then Jack Kohnen, who committed on June 13.
Those are three high-upside players who are all four-star recruits ranked inside the top 100 in the Class of 2027. Recently, 247Sports updated its player rankings, and all three Iowa State commits saw their rankings change.
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Davis is no longer the highest-ranked player in the Cyclones class. He was previously ranked No. 44 but slipped slightly to No. 47. Securing his commitment was an impressive feat because the lead recruiter, JR Blount, accepted the head coaching position with the San Diego Toreros in the middle of it.
Iowa State commits see rankings change
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Freedom High School’s Donovan Davis (24) shoots the ball against Milwaukee Academy of Science during the WIAA Division 3 state championship game on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Milwaukee Academy of Science won the game, 57-54. | Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Alas, that didn’t stop Otzelberger from sealing the deal. He was involved in the recruitment along with Nate Schmidt and Thomas Pollard. New assistant coaches Tim Buckley and Allan Hanson helped get things over the finish line as well.
The highest-ranked recruit in this class for the Cyclones is now Harrington. He was No. 48 previously and has moved up to No. 43. The in-state recruit has been performing at a high level for Brad Beal Elite in the Nike EYBL this year.
A product of North Scott, he is making a great impression with his defensive impact in the Nike EYBL. When playing with his high school team, he showcases incredible offensive ability, capable of scoring at all three levels.
Jack Kohnen sees biggest jump in rankings
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Slinger’s Jack Kohnen (3) dunks during the WIAA D2 sectional semifinal game against Port Washington at Cedarburg High School in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, March 12, 2026. Slinger won the game, 62-33. | Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Last but not least is Kohnen, who experienced the biggest jump in the rankings. He was ranked No. 81 previously but jumped all the way to No. 64 in the latest update. An elite shooter, Kohnen has an advanced offensive game.
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He is an excellent spot-up shooter but has some great shotmaking ability in his game off the dribble as well. His playmaking is what makes his game so intriguing on that end of the floor because he operates as the point guard on his high school team at Slinger.
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With a game developed well beyond his years, Kohnen has some real upside as an offensive hub. He has the size to see over defenses and advanced reads that make him very difficult to gameplan against.
