Iowa
Must-see Iowa City concerts include The Indigo Girls and viral sensation Mason Ramsey
Spring has almost arrived, bringing warmer weather, blooming flowers, and notable concerts.
From the Mission Creek Festival to critically acclaimed acts or your favorite new band, here is a round-up of spring concerts in the Iowa City area.
More: Goodbye, winter. The first day of spring is rapidly approaching for Iowa.
Mission Creek Music Festival (April 4-6)
Mission Creek is an annual music festival in its 19th season, bringing esteemed and local acts together April 4-6. The festival unfolds in downtown Iowa City, hosted at iconic, cozy locations like the esteemed Englert Theatre and the newly refurbished Riverside Theatre. Highlights include Neko Case, Osees, Indigo DeSouza, local acts Bootcamp, and The Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band.
Tickets went on sale in December, but passes are still available. A weekend-long pass costs $115; single-day passes cost $55.
More: Neko Case headlines 19th annual Mission Creek Festival held April 4-6 in Iowa City
Oumou Sangaré (April 12)
Oumou Sangaré is an acclaimed Malian singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in the 1990s with her powerful voice and socially conscious lyrics, often addressing issues such as women’s rights and African identity. Sangaré is touring her for recent release, “Timbuktu,” written during the COVID lockdowns. “Timbuktu” blends sounds of traditional West African music and American Blues to create a unique listening experience. Sangaré will perform at The Englert Theatre on April 12, and tickets are still available.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12
Where: The Englert Theatre, 221 E Washington St., Iowa City
Price:$10-40.17
More: Iowa dog breeder blames ‘brainless’ women for criminal charges
Ratboys (April 12)
Ratboys is an indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2010. The band gained attention with its debut album, “AOID,” released in 2015. They are currently touring to promote their most recent release, “The Window.” Ratboys brings its infectious melodies, intricate guitar work, and emotive storytelling to Gabe’s on April 12 with supporting act Ducks Ltd. Tickets are on sale now.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 12
Where: Gabe’s, 330 E Washington St., Iowa City
Price: $20+
More: A southern twist: Raising Cane’s opening downtown Iowa City location
Indigo Girls (April 17 and April 18)
The Indigo Girls have sold millions of records thanks to their chart-topping song “Closer to Fine,” which helped fuel their debut in 1987. The Grammy-winning group continues to share their folk-rock sound during regular tours. The Indigo Girls recently performed at the Englert Theatre in November and are returning to the historic theatre on April 17 and April 18, with tickets starting at $59.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18
Where: The Englert Theatre, 221 E Washington St, Iowa City
Price: $59+
Mason Ramsey (April 20)
Mason Ramsey, also known as “The Walmart Yodeling Kid,” is an American singer and internet sensation who gained widespread attention in 2018. Ramsey has continued to pursue his music career since becoming a viral sensation and has demonstrated his versatility, expanding his repertoire beyond traditional country music. Ramsey will perform April 20 at Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon. Tickets are on sale now.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20
Where: Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon, 4919 Walleye Dr. SE, Iowa City
Price: $18+
Caroline Rose
Caroline Rose is an American singer-songwriter and musician known for her eclectic blend of indie rock, pop, and alternative music. Rose is celebrated for her boundary-pushing creativity and brings a dynamic live performance to the Englert Theatre on April 23. General admission tickets start at $25.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday April 23
Where: The Englert Theatre, 221 E Washington St, Iowa City
Price: $25+
Other Notable Acts Performing in Eastern Iowa
Breaking Benjamin − 7 p.m. Friday, April 5 at Alliant Energy Powerhouse, Cedar Rapids
Queensryche − 8 p.m. Sunday, April 8 at Alliant Energy Powerhouse, Cedar Rapids
Cake − 8 p.m. Friday, May 10 at McGrath Amphitheatre, Cedar Rapids
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
Iowa
Five Iowa dog breeders listed among this year’s ‘Horrible Hundred’
Watch as Lilly Baron honors Molly, the dog who inspired anti-abuse laws
Lilly Baron and supporters gathered Aug. 14, 2025 in downtown Ocala to honor Molly, the dog who inspired measures to prevent animal abuse.
An animal-welfare organization has released its annual, national report on problem puppy mills, with five of the “Horrible Hundred” businesses located in Iowa.
The report, published Monday by Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the United States, highlights regulatory violations cited at 100 dog breeders across the country. The states with the highest numbers of breeders in this year’s report include Missouri, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Ohio.
More than 20 of the 100 breeders and dealers listed in the report have sold puppies to Petland, the largest chain of pet stores still operating in the United States, according to Humane World for Animals. Many others sell on social media, and on websites such as Puppies.com.
Humane World for Animals compiles its annual report from data included in the inspection reports of various state agencies and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Here are the Iowa breeders listed in this year’s report.
Ricky and Mary Brodersen of Mystical Cockers in Kiron
This is the third year Mystical Cockers in Kiron has been listed among the Horrible Hundred. In August 2025, state inspectors cited the business for recurring issues, such as a buildup of hair, debris and feces below the kennels and dogs kept in spaces without solid surfaces on which they could rest. In addition, there was only one caretaker to clean about 60 enclosures daily, with the inspector observing that the “condition of the enclosures indicates this is not adequate” staffing. When inspectors returned in September 2025, they noted that the business was “working on decreasing” the number of dogs.
Co-owner Mary Brodersen was criminally charged in 2012. Court records show Brodersen was charged with 88 counts of animal neglect, resulting in 44 convictions and 44 dismissals. She was later sentenced to 44 days in jail, or one day in jail for each of the 44 convictions. Five separate counts of animal neglect resulting in death or injury were dismissed by the court.
Humane World for Animals reported the arrest occurred after a raid on her previous puppy mill resulted in the confiscation of 88 animals and five dogs were found dead. The American Kennel Club later suspended her for a period of 15 years. Humane World for Animals, however, reports that Ricky Brodersen is still showing cocker spaniels at AKC-linked dog events and has been for years.
William Davenport of Afton
During a July 2025 visit to William Davenport’s business in Afton, a USDA inspector raised concerns about the medical care provided for three dogs. The inspector noted that records indicated Snickers, a 3-year-old female bulldog, had a prolapse on July 15 and 16, 2025, but there were no other medical records regarding the event or any medications that were prescribed.
The records also indicated that Muffin, a 2-year-old female bulldog, had a C-section and was given medication, but there were no records documenting the treatment or the medications that were prescribed. A similar situation involved Princess, a 3-year-old female bulldog who was taken to a veterinarian for a lump on her neck. The USDA also cited the business for a repeat violation related to eight puppies that were missing from the facility with no written record of what had happened to them. When USDA employees returned in November 2025 to check on the dogs, they were not given access to the facility.
In total, Davenport was found to be in violation during six consecutive inspections from July 2024 to November 2025. According to Humane World for Animals, his USDA license was recently canceled, but another license has appeared in the USDA’s database under the name BillieJo Davenport at a nearby address.
Ruth Ewoldt of Furkids in Toronto
For Furkids in the Clinton County community of Toronto. 2026 marks the second time it has been listed among the Horrible Hundred. Owner Ruth Ewoldt was cited for issues during three state inspections conducted in October and November 2025. Issues with fleas were noted at all three inspections.
Other issues included structural repair problems and puppies that had to be treated for giardia, an intestinal infection that can spread to humans. Inspectors also found multiple dogs that were observed to have “dirty ears with discharge,” and the inspector noted that puppies with upper respiratory conditions and ear mites were being sold to customers.
Furkids was listed in the 2021 Horrible Hundred report for issues that included recurring problems with unsanitary conditions and failing to follow disease prevention protocols. During one visit in 2021, inspectors warned Ewoldt that the “odor and stench” at the business could not “be masked with air fresheners and sprays.” The inspector watched as one dog sat down to scratch itself and then landed “in a pile of feces.”
Kimberly Olson of Kimi’s Precious Treasures in Joice
During an October 2025 visit, a state inspector indicated Kimberly Olson of Kimi’s Precious Treasures in Joice was “selling puppies to a broker without a USDA license,” and also appeared to be offering puppies online without the appropriate license. Also, the bottoms of two kennels appeared to be rotting away due to rust.
The inspector reported explaining to Olson that “a USDA license is necessary to sell through, or to, a broker.” In a report, the state inspector noted that Olson would be applying for a federal license with the USDA, but as of April 24, 2026, the USDA had yet to report the issuance of any licensee in the name of Olson or Kimi’s Precious Treasures. Olson held a USDA broker’s license from 2014 to 2022.
Wuanita Swedlund of Farmington
This year marks the third time Wuanita Swedlund of Farmington this business has been listed among the Horrible Hundred. According to Humane World for Animals, Swedlund has repeatedly failed to provide inspectors with access to the facility, “raising grave concerns about the welfare of all her dogs.” Inspectors from the state or the USDA who tried to check on Swedlund’s dogs were unable to do so during six separate inspection attempts from June 2025 to January 2026. Just prior to those incidents, in May 2025, state inspectors had found multiple repeat violations at the business, including unsanitary enclosures and a buildup of feces.
In February 2026, the USDA issued an official warning to Swedlund for the repeat “no access” violations. At the time of that warning, federal inspectors with the USDA had not been able to gain entry to the business since December 2024, when they found a number of concerns that resulted in Swedlund’s appearance on the 2025 Horrible Hundred list, including one heavily matted dog, several dogs with no water, and an enclosure that was “heavily contaminated with fecal material.”
In 2024, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals referenced Swedlund’s violations in a lawsuit against the USDA alleging a lack of enforcement action by the agency. That lawsuit, which is still pending, noted that six puppies had died in the cold at Swedlund’s business but she was not fined or penalized.
Past violations by Swedlund were tied to findings related to injured, limping dogs, and a dog that partially ate a puppy it was able to access in a neighboring enclosure.
Hypothermia death at Nebraska kennel
Breeders in states bordering Iowa that made this year’s Horrible Hundred list include At First Light Farms in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where a dog was allegedly killed after the licensee noticed it had diarrhea and was showing signs of weakness.
USDA inspectors noted that the licensee had not consulted her veterinarian about treating the dog’s illness, nor about the specific methods used to kill the dog. State inspectors said the woman who ran the business concluded the dog was “getting ready to die,” and so she “called her boyfriend” to take care of the matter, although she claimed to have no knowledge as to how the dog was then killed.
At Sandhills Dachshunds in Brewster, Nebraska, inspectors found a dead dog in an outdoor kennel. The dog appeared to have died from hypothermia, as temperatures had been below freezing, and the dead dog — as well as other dogs at Sandhills Dachshunds — lacked bedding or adequate shelter.
“The Horrible Hundred report shows the public the abhorrent reality for dogs at puppy mills — including those that are licensed and inspected,” said John Goodwin, senior managing director for puppy mills and equine protection at the Humane World for Animals.
Find this story at Iowa Capital Dispatch, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: kobradovich@iowacapitaldispatch.com.
Iowa
PETERSON: Iowa State’s QB dilemma is who backs up Jaylen Raynor
Iowa
Crews extinguish small Saturday night fire at the University of Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – University of Iowa student and staff were asked to avoid the University Capital Centre as a small fire broke out inside the building.
The first Hawk Alert was sent around 9:30 p.m. as the building was evacuated. In about 15 minutes the situation was deemed under control.
The University credits the Iowa City Fire Department for extinguishing the blaze.
There have been no reports of any injuries in this fire.
The Centre is inside the Capital Mall which is home to several businesses.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
-
News2 minutes agoKing Charles Will Speak of ‘Reconciliation and Renewal’ During Address to Congress
-
Politics8 minutes agoICE Warehouse Plan Faces Delay Over Lack of Environmental Reviews
-
Business14 minutes agoThe Rise of the High-Range, Less Expensive E.V.
-
Science20 minutes agoImmaculate Wilderness, Uncertain Future: Paddling the Boundary Waters
-
Health26 minutes agoSupreme Court Appears Divided Over Roundup Weedkiller Case
-
Culture38 minutes agoThe Best Books of 2026 So Far: ‘Kin,’ ‘London Falling’ and More
-
Lifestyle44 minutes agoAt the ‘Euphoria’ Wedding, All Eyes Were on the Guests
-
Education50 minutes agoStudent Contest Based on Trump’s Garden of Heroes Downplays Darker History