How Joe Biden, Iowan with Down syndrome became friends

Despite the rigors of the vice presidency and the campaign trail, Biden forged a friendship with Paul Heddens through letters, hugs and small gifts.

An old movie fan, Jerry Schleis named his dog Rita Hayworth

Always the first to lend a hand, Jerry had dozens of 50- and 60-year friendships. And around Christmastime, he'd give $20 tips at drive-thru windows.

Iowa felon votes for the first time since re-enfranchisement

Since regaining voting rights, Patrill Ellis anxiously anticipated Election Day. With his ballot counted, he feels like his voice was finally heard.

The supremacy of Iowa’s scotcheroo

Scotcheroos take the basic concept of the Rice Krispies Treat and candify it by adding peanut butter to the bar and a melted chocolate-and-butterscotch topping.

Fired Iowa 4-H head who claimed discrimination gets $550K

John-Paul Chaisson-Cárdenas, Iowa's first Latino 4-H chief, says he was harassed for his advocacy of racial equality and gender identity protections.

Miss Christine’s ‘Truth in Song’ on streaming services

Iowa City artist Miss Christine is released her new single, "Truth in Song," on Friday.

I.O.W.A. book festival goes online in 2020

The Writers’ Rooms' I.O.W.A. book festival is one of the many area annual events that has found a place online in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These 10 creepy Iowa ghost stories will give you goosebumps

From murders and tragic loss to evil and vengeful souls, Iowa definitely has a darker side this time of year.

Iowan’s book tells of relationship between integrator, KKK leader

“The White Man Who Stayed,” by Iowan Jim Autry, tells two stories: one of his cousin, an integrator, and the other of his uncle, a KKK leader.

When is Beggar’s Night in metro Des Moines?

COVID-19 has changed a lot of things this year. Trick-or-treating on Beggars' Night around central Iowa will be among them.

Photos: Amana’s Hotel Millwright now open

Bill Riley Jr. to retire from Iowa State Fair talent show

Next year’s Iowa State Fair will be Bill Riley Jr.’s last as host of the Bill Riley Talent Search, ending a 25-year run of showcasing young Iowans.

33 photos: Tasty breaded pork tenderloins around Iowa

Why Des Moines has Beggars’ Night

The Halloween tradition of Beggars' Night is unique to Des Moines. We explain the history.

Coralville music label produced the soundtrack to Mark Ruffalo’s new documentary

Coralville resident and music producer Russell Curry left the industry for over 15 years. Now, he and his Coralville-based music label are back.

Corn mazes, pumpkin patches and apple orchards to visit

Find hours, costs and extra activities, animals and food that you'll find at some of the best pumpkin patches, apple orchards and corn mazes in the Des Moines metro.

First Climate Fest offers events, activities next week

Iowa City's first ever Climate Fest will run from Sept. 19 to Sept. 26, offering a variety of activities and events digitally and in person over that period.

Get a sneak peek inside Coralville’s new Xtream Arena

Reporters and camera crews were invited to tour the city's new Xtream Arena on Wednesday, ahead of next week's public open house and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Photos: Classy Chassy Cruisers in Coralville

Iowa City bar owners say closure order could hurt downtown

"We're just not getting really strong leadership or enforcement," said Joe Reilly, the "nighttime mayor" for the Iowa City Downtown District.

Photos: Players Sports Bar & Grill opens in Iowa City

Beautiful images of the downtown Des Moines skyline

Iowa metro unemployment rates improving

The Des Moines metro added about 2,900 jobs from June to July. But the figure is about 25,000 shy of where the area stood this time last year.

Oktoberfest takes an out-of-the-box approach in 2020

Iowa City's Northside Oktoberfest is still happening this year, just not in person. Organizers plan to celebrate the event's 50th anniversary in 2021.

Catching up with the longest-serving State Fair Queen

Hannah Koellner prayed for people to see her. By last summer’s end she was crowned Iowa State Fair Queen, but winning the title wasn't the end of her self-discovery.

Reopened: Where to see a movie in a theatre in Iowa this week

Marcus Theaters is among the first chains to reopen its theaters as Hollywood releases "Unhinged," "New Mutants" in search of a comeback.

What’s a butter sculptor with no fair?

Get butter at sculpting with Sarah Pratt, the Iowa State Fair's lead butter artist who will host a virtual workshop this week.

Tony-nominated Nancy Opel joins cast of ‘The Suffragist’

Crew with the new Iowa musical "The Sufferagist" announced Tuesday that Tony-nominated actress Nancy Opel will star in the production when it premieres next summer.

Iowa State Fair awards fine arts blue ribbons

"I feel awesome": The Iowa State Fair may be canceled, but one contest still awarded Blue Ribbons.

Photos: Target opens store in Iowa City

A disabled Iowan overcomes bullying, returns to State Fair show ring

When a bully told Stella she was taking away “normal” kids' opportunities by showing her goat, she had to muster the strength to get back in the ring.

State Fair makes safety changes for livestock shows

The fair has taken safety precautions including spreading events over three weekends and limiting the number of guests for each exhibitor.

Photos: Coralville screens drive-in movie

Coralville’s once and future drive-in, library

The Coralville Public Library's current address used to be the home of a drive-in movie theater. For a few weeks this summer, the library is resurrecting that format.

How Iowa museums are handling COVID-19

How Iowa museums are handling the global pandemic and how Figge is celebrating 15 years in the middle of it.

State Fair announces virtual schedule of events

This year's Iowa State Fair is going to be different, but the pandemic won't stop all the Iowa State Fair fun.

Barksdale’s Iowa State Fair Cookies gets a new home

In 1993, Joe Barksdale started selling hot cookies at the Iowa State Fair. Nearly three decades later, his dream of a permanent kitchen and store has been realized.

The Great Iowa Fall Ride is canceled

The Great Iowa Fall Ride was supposed to wind cyclists through Central Iowa, giving them views of the Hawkeye State’s fall colors.

The Pork Tornadoes on ‘Beard Pop’ and RAGBRAI

The "Band of Iowa" shook off the cobwebs after almost a five-month hiatus performing the "Revive The Live" Drive-In Concert Series in honor of RAGBRAI.

Pie-ynasty: Team Register wins Rhubarb Rumble V

When the crumbs settled, Team Register claimed not only glutenous glory, but ensured the Golden Roller will stay in Iowa for another year.