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
Iowa Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday results for May 8, 2026
The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.
Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Friday, May 8, 2026, winning numbers for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-3 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 0-5-8
Evening: 9-9-2
Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-4 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 0-2-7-3
Evening: 0-7-0-6
Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Iowa
Iowa SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid
IOWA — Iowa’s new restrictions on SNAP benefits are drawing concern from advocates who say the changes could make it harder for families to buy food and could put future summer assistance for children at risk.
The state’s SNAP waiver took effect January 1, 2026, limiting what items can be purchased based on Iowa’s taxable food list. While that includes widely discussed restrictions on soda and candy, the policy also affects certain prepared foods, creating confusion for shoppers.
“Something as small as whether or not a utensil is included in a food item actually impacts whether or not you can continue to purchase that item using your SNAP benefits,” Paige Chickering, Iowa State Manager for the Save the Children Action Network, said.
Advocates say the rules can be difficult to navigate, especially for people relying on quick meals. Items like prepackaged salads or sandwiches may or may not qualify depending on how they are packaged.
At the same time, new legislation slated for the next session at the statehouse could make those restrictions more permanent by requiring Iowa to continue seeking federal approval for the waiver.
That’s raising additional concerns about the future of Summer EBT, also known as “Sun Bucks,” which provides food assistance to children when school is out.
“This makes that food assistance dependent on a decision made in Washington, D.C. that is just arbitrary and not really dependent on the needs of Iowans and Iowa children,” Chickering said.
The program is expected to help around 220,000 children in Iowa during the summer months. Advocates worry leaving it up to federal approval of the waiver could jeopardize that support if policies change. They also point out that SNAP plays a major role in addressing hunger compared to other resources.
“We know that for every one meal provided by an emergency feeding organization, SNAP provides nine,” Chickering said.
Advocates say they support improving nutrition but argue there are more effective, evidence based ways to do that without limiting food choices.
For now, organizations across Iowa are working to help families understand the new rules, while also pushing lawmakers to reconsider how the policy could impact food access moving forward.
Iowa
Harkin backs Turek for Iowa Senate
Scoop: Iowa Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek snagged a major endorsement for his Senate bid from former Sen. Tom Harkin.
Harkin, who retired in 2015, was the last Democrat to represent Iowa in the Senate. Turek is locked in a competitive primary with state Sen. Zach Wahls in a race that has divided major factions of the Democratic Party.
“I have a pretty good idea of what it takes to win an election, and then to faithfully represent all Iowans, not just those who voted for you,” Harkin said in his endorsement. “That’s why I’m supporting Josh Turek.”
Harkin served in the Senate for 30 years and is the author of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Turek, who was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, was 11 when the ADA was enacted.
Harkin is a widely sought after endorsement in the Hawkeye State. His decision to wade into the race is notable because Harkin also has a relationship with Wahls.
Wahls called Harkin “one of my closest political mentors,” and said the former senator officiated his wedding in 2021.
Iowa’s Senate primaries are June 2.
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