Thursday, January 8th, 2026
Good morning, Iowa City. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 8th of January.
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour *unchanged* since 2008, while four neighboring states raised theirs on Jan. 1; only Wisconsin kept the federal rate like Iowa, making its wage lower than nearly all its neighbors. Iowa City Press-Citizen
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Iowa City CSD is considering a full ban on cell phone use for middle and high school students nearly a year after a partial ban helped cut weekly violations. The board will discuss the proposed bell-to-bell policy at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Iowa City Press-Citizen
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ In 2025, the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt returned a record $33.6 million in unclaimed property to Iowa residents via 53,226 claims, state treasurer Roby Smith said. The free database (listing forgotten checking accounts, savings, and insurance benefits) remains available for anyone to search. Iowa City Press-Citizen
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Hy-Vee dietitian Paige Green offers practical meal ideas to start the new year healthily. Her tips help local residents make small tweaks to daily meals & boost their wellness. We Are Iowa
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Gentle Yoga Class
12-1 AM — Public Space One — $16 drop-in or $100 for 8-class pass — Experience a nurturing yoga session led by an experienced instructor focused on community and resilience.
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Wildlife Bioblitz
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. — Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center — Free entry — Explore nature and discover local wildlife in a fun, interactive environment.
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Strategies in Environmental Conservation
2-4 p.m. — Iowa City Public Library — Free entry — Discover sustainable gardening practices with insights from a local conservation expert.
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The Out Of Towners: Vol. 1
6:30-8 p.m. — The Green House — Cash donations appreciated — Enjoy an evening of readings from local authors supporting a good cause.
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Christopher's Bar Exam Trivia Night
8-10 p.m. — Joe's Place — Free entry — Test your knowledge in an interactive pub quiz for cash and great team prizes.
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Story Jam
10:30-11:00 a.m. — Iowa City Public Library — Free entry — Engage in music and movement to enhance early literacy skills in a fun environment for young children.
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NAMI Family Support Group
6:30-7:30 p.m. — National Alliance on Mental Illness, Johnson County — Free entry — A peer-led support group for adults with loved ones facing mental health challenges.
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Book Babies Storytime
10:30-11:00 a.m. — Iowa City Public Library — Free — Engage your little ones in songs and stories to promote language development for ages 0-2.
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Pre Twinkle Violin Class
9:00-9:45 a.m. — Preucil School of Music — No cost listed — A beginner class for young violinists to learn foundational skills in a supportive environment.
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Radical Relaxation Yoga
6-7 p.m. — Public Space One — $16 drop-in or purchase an 8-class pass for $100 — Experience a community-oriented yoga class focused on relaxation and healing.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.
~ Rumi
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