Iowa
Iowa commission to set timeline on potential Cedar Rapids casino
ALTOONA, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will soon start the process of reviewing an application for a casino license for a facility in Cedar Rapids.
Joint Applicants Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) and the Linn County Gaming Association say they’re planning to turn their plans in at the end of the month.
Jonathan Swain with P2E said they’re updating a few things before they turn their application in. “Our application has been ready for a couple of years. In 2021, we essentially selected the new site, the new amenities, the building, and the location,” Swain said.
Applicants are placing bets that a casino coming to Cedar Rapids would bring jobs and a boost to the local economy. In addition, they’ll contribute 8% of their revenue to nonprofits in the city. Anne Parmley with the Linn County Gaming Association said that’ll work out to $5-7 million a year. “It’s the highest gaming revenue contribution in the state,” Parmley said.
But not everyone has something positive to say about the proposal. Gary Thelen of West Des Moines said when Cedar Rapids voters defeated a proposed casino in 2003, people who would’ve rolled the dice and invested money in the city went elsewhere. “Now it’s too late to correct that vote. I have nothing against the people of Linn County, but they have to accept the consequences of their 2003 negative votes,” Thelen said.
Other casinos are worried about their revenues. Back in 2014 and 2017, the commission denied the city because green lighting it would take money from existing casinos and give it to Cedar Rapids. It’s something commission going to have to look at this time too.
Daryl Olsen, the Chair of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission said, “There’s multiple things we have to look at. They all impact how we make a decision so that’s a hot topic but we’re going to look at all the aspects of it.”
The commission also voted at their meeting Monday to require a market study on the impacts of the proposed casino.
Here’s what commissioner Olsen says they’re looking for: ”What is the facility? What impact does it have? Tourism. The whole impact and part of that is as you addressed cannibalization so all of those questions are hopefully going to be reviewed and brought in on to the study,” Olsen said.
Olsen says those studies usually take two to three months to complete.
Monday the commission decided that this Friday they’ll lay out the official timeline to get through this process, which generally takes six to nine months so people in Cedar Rapids can get their answer about whether they’ll finally get their casino.
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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa women’s soccer grabbed a, 1-0 win over South Dakota State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Kenzie Roling scored the game’s only goal in the first half.
Fernanda Mayrink came up big in goal for the Hawkeyes. She saved a penalty kick in the second half that would have tied it.
Up next, Iowa will take on LSU in the second round on November 20th.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Well Known & Highly Respected Businessman From Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes Passes Away – Explore Okoboji
(Spencer)– A well known and highly respected businessman in Spencer and the Iowa Great Lakes Area has passed away.
Toby Shine joined Shine Brothers full time in 1960. He later went on to start up a wire cutting and auto shredding business in Spencer in the mid 1980’s, serving as owner and President of the company. Shine was also very active in the Spencer and Iowa Great Lakes communities. He developed the Pelican Ridge housing development on the east side of Arnolds Park and later went on to build and operate a vintage car restoration business and museum just off Highway 86 in West Okoboji. Shine was also known for his involvement in philanthropy and played a major role with the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation’s Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute.
Funeral arrangements for Toby Shine are pending with Warner Funeral Home in Spencer.
Iowa State’s Audi Crooks helping hometown community during government shutdown
Iowa State star Audi Crooks is providing care packages for local families impacted by the suspension of SNAP during the government shutdown.
The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history ended late Thursday, Nov. 12, and many Iowans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are wondering when they will receive their next payments.
Amid the shutdown, the Trump administration paused SNAP payments on Nov. 1 for approximately 12% of Americans, or 41.7 million people, who rely on cash cards known as Electronic Benefits Transfer to purchase food. States then sued the administration, sparking a back-and-forth in courts before eventually reaching the Supreme Court.
Here’s the latest on SNAP benefits resuming with the government reopening.
When will November SNAP benefits be available in Iowa?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the SNAP program, gave the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services the green light to issue full SNAP benefits for November, according to Iowa HHS.
“Benefits are being loaded onto cards now and could be available later today, Thursday, Nov. 13,” according to Iowa HHS’ website. “Iowa HHS anticipates that all SNAP benefits will be issued by Friday, Nov. 14.”
What is the Iowa EBT balance phone number?
Iowans can check their EBT balance by calling 1-800-359-5802 or by logging in to their EBT account online or through the ConnectEBT mobile app.
Who’s eligible for SNAP benefits in Iowa?
To be eligible for SNAP, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen national of the U.S.
- You must be a resident of Iowa
- You must meet income guidelines for gross and net income limits
- You must provide a Social Security number or proof that you have applied for one
- You must live in a legal SNAP household. This is defined as people who live together, buy food together, and prepare meals together
How much money you receive from SNAP is determined by how much you earn from your job, as well as other income you may receive, such as Social Security. The number of people who live with you also determines how much money you may receive.
How many Iowans have received SNAP benefits this year?
More than 267,000 Iowans received $45 million worth of SNAP benefits in May, according to the USDA.
USA TODAY reporter Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this report.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
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