Good Day
Iowa City
Friday, October 31st, 2025
Good morning, Iowa City. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 31st of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Big Grove Brewery and its charitable arm donated $12K to three food banks—eastern Iowa's HACAP, central Iowa's Food Bank of Iowa, and Food Bank for the Heartland serving parts of western Iowa and Omaha—to help people who will lose SNAP benefits on Nov. 1 amid the government shutdown. The brewery will also donate another $12K to local homeless shelters in the coming weeks. Iowa City Press-Citizen
- ➤ Iowa City's Big Grove Brewery and its Big Grove for Good Foundation donated $24K — a prompt response to possible SNAP cuts — to help families if food benefits halt on November 1 due to the government shutdown. Gov. Kim Reynolds said the state will support food banks by matching up to $1M in private donations and working with local groups to distribute food statewide. KWWL
- ➤ Change Course is hosting Night of Hope at Valley Church on Nov. 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.—the event honors transformed lives and second chances for local residents. We Are Iowa
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the new deal with China to buy 25 million metric tons of soybeans a year is a win for Iowa farms — the agreement, which lasts three years, will start with China purchasing 12 million metric tons by January. We Are Iowa
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Kim Reynolds said today that Iowa will match up to $1 million in food bank donations and has ordered the National Guard to prepare to deliver food as federal SNAP benefits will lapse November 1 for more than 260,000 Iowans. She added that state agencies will recruit volunteers and use state funds to support local food banks—helping with staffing and distribution—if the shutdown continues. Iowa City Press-Citizen
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Healthcare premiums are set to rise on November 1 due to the expiration of tax credits under the Affordable Care Act & a government shutdown that is increasing costs. Over 100,000 Iowans may lose their coverage when health care becomes too expensive. WHO 13
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Iowa athletes recalled their experiences in the transfer portal after over 10,000 Division I players entered it last year. Football transfer Mark Gronowski, six men’s basketball players, and women’s recruit Lucy Olsen said the process brought many missed calls and strong coach support — showing that the transfer portal is changing college sports. WHO 13
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Heads In Motion - Talking Heads Tribute
7:30-9:00 p.m. — The Englert Theatre — Tickets from $69 — Experience a dynamic tribute to the iconic band, Talking Heads.
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Dharma Reading & Meditation
10:00-11:15 a.m. — Garchen Mila Buddhist Center — Free entry — Reflect on core Buddhist teachings and engage in compassion meditation together.
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Concert Orchestra Performance
5:45-7:00 p.m. — Main Campus — Attendance details not provided — Experience a harmonious evening with the Concert Orchestra.
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After School Sketching Club
4-5 PM — Iowa City Public Library — Free entry — Explore different sketching themes each month with fun prompts for school-aged children.
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Coffee + Connections
8:00 – 9:30 AM — Dodge Street Coffeehouse — Free coffee — Connect with local entrepreneurs over coffee and exchange ideas.
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Restaging Trisha Brown & Merce Cunningham with Robert Rauschenberg
6-8 p.m. — Hancher Auditorium — Free entry — Engage in a conversation on the creative process and legacy of iconic collaborations in dance and art.
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Aren't We Amphibians Concert
7:00 – 8:30 PM — Gabe's — Average ticket price $56 — Experience a live performance from Aren't We Amphibians in Iowa City.
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Poetry Exchange Workshop
4:30-6 p.m. — 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA — Free entry — Engage in a supportive environment with fellow poets sharing and critiquing original work.
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Intro to Letterpress Printing Workshop
12:30-4 p.m. — Iowa City Press Co-Op — Pay-what-you-can: $25-170 — Discover the art of letterpress printing with hands-on instruction and personalized projects.
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Espressivo Rehearsals
4:30-5:30 p.m. — Preucil School of Music — Free entry — Engage in focused music rehearsals fostering community talent and collaboration.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Simple and easy are not the same thing.
~ Naval Ravikant
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