Good morning, Iowa City.

A structure fire on Wednesday morning at the 1900 block of Broadway Street displaced seven people after all occupants evacuated safely before fire crews extinguished the blaze in ten minutes, causing about $60,000 in damages while investigators work to determine the cause.

TIME Magazine released its America’s Best Colleges list that ranked five Iowa schools, with Drake University topping at a final score of 69.80—based on student outcomes and learning environment scores.

The ranking places Drake among the top 200 colleges in the nation.

On Thursday, the Iowa City school board approved an $8 million loan from Hills Bank and Trust in a five-minute vote that had one member absent.

The loan, at 7% interest and starting Sept. 11, will mature on June 1, 2027 and be drawn as revenue comes in.

The University of Iowa held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept.

2 for its new Health Sciences academic building at 302 S. Grand Ave in Iowa City with community members and university officials attending.

The U.S. Drought Monitor report from Sept.

3 shows 31% of Iowa experiencing dryness, with 19% in moderate drought and 11% abnormally dry; conditions are worse than last year when 96% of the state was drought-free (data as of Sept. 1).

ICCSD's Financial Oversight Committee met on Sept.

1 to question the district's business office expertise amid a budget crisis and recommended hiring additional staff for better fiscal controls. The district has hired a retired expert to help complete its annual report and is seeking a new permanent school business official.

Iowa City Council approved a $5.1M loan on Sept.

3 to fund a 183-unit affordable housing project at Orchard Court and Orchard Street. The Annex Group will develop units for residents earning up to 60% of the local median income — although some officials worry the rents remain too high.

Kinnick Stadium staff are preparing for the Iowa Hawkeyes season opener against Northern Illinois on Saturday by adding cooling stations, free water refill stations, and extra first aid areas to help fans cope with high temperatures.

A new Tigerhawk Beer Garden will welcome fans with no ticket required.