Good morning, Iowa City.

A large fire burned on the second floor of an apartment complex in the 900 block of Boston Way near Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville on April 9th as firefighters pulled first responders from the building and fought the blaze from outside (with crews from West Branch, Solon, and Tiffin) (no injuries have been reported).

U.S. Cellular announced it will lay off 497 employees from over 30 locations in Iowa starting June 2 following its sale to T-Mobile — most of the affected workers are in eastern Iowa, including 8 in Iowa City.

The company said it plans to offer new positions with T-Mobile to most of those losing their jobs.

MusicIC Festival will present Penelope, a single performance multimedia song cycle by Grammy-nominated Shara Nova written by Sarah Kirkland Snider and Ellen McLaughlin, on April 26th at 7:30 p.m. at The James Theatre on N.

Gilbert St. in Iowa City—tickets cost $35 for the public and $20 for students.

Iowa City West's production of 'The Sound of Music' opens today and will run through Saturday.

Photos from Tuesday's dress rehearsal show students practicing key scenes.

Tuesday night, the Iowa City School Board met to review the new cell phone ban that began in January and reported violations fell from 434 in the first week to 168 by week nine.

District staff say the ban has reduced distractions and improved student focus while encouraging less phone use outside school.

Dr. Parijat Joy sued the University of Iowa and the Board of Regents after he was forced to take a nine‐month unpaid leave in September 2019 to care for his disabled child—he claims his request for flexible scheduling led to harassment, retaliation and a nonrenewal of his contract in March 2021. The lawsuit seeks damages for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A mother from eastern Iowa said her premature baby spent over 160 days in the University of Iowa NICU after the hospital was designated as a Level 4 center by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The designation confirms that the NICU provides the highest care for very sick and complex newborns (the highest level of care for these patients).

Friday Group Class for Strings

4:30-5:15 p.m. — Preucil School of Music — Cost varies by book level — A structured group class for violin, viola, and cello players to enhance their skills.

The Sound of Music by West High

1-10 p.m. — West High School–Arganbright Auditorium — $10 – $15 — Experience the beloved musical with talented local performers at West High School.

Classic American Antique Auction

3-7 p.m. — 1565 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA — Admission details not specified — Discover a diverse collection of rare antiques, vintage collectibles, and unique artifacts.

Chinese Bilingual Storytime

10:30-11:00 a.m. — Iowa City Public Library — Free entry — Delight in songs, rhymes, and stories in Chinese and English with crafts for all ages.

Kraft & Kvetch: Passover Edition

11:30 p.m. — Market-Dubuque Building — Dinner included — Unwind and unleash creativity with fellow artists over a Passover dinner.

First Round Happy Hour

5-6:30 p.m. — Iowa City Downtown District — First drink free — A vibrant monthly gathering to socialize and discover local arts, business, and cultural updates.

Swing Dance Lessons & Social Dance

7-9:15 p.m. — Masonic Lodge — $10 per evening, $5 for students — Learn the lindy hop through beginner and intermediate lessons followed by a lively social dance.

Friday Group Class for Strings

4:30-5:15 p.m. — Preucil School of Music — Check for pricing — A group class focused on violin, viola, and cello to enhance your string skills.

Natural Dyed Eggs and Paper Baskets

2-4 p.m. — Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center — Registration not yet open — Explore natural dyeing techniques for eggs while crafting a paper basket.

Drawing Salon with Robert Caputo

2-3:30 p.m. — Stanley Museum of Art — Free entry — Explore your artistic side by drawing inspired by the museum's collection under expert guidance.