Latest issueIowa City schools have no plan for $2.2M shortfall; UI drops cancer centerRead now

Good Day Iowa CitySubscribe — it’s free

36°Partly cloudyHigh 67° · Low 40°

  1. 6 a.m.35°
  2. Noon62°
  3. 6 p.m.57°
  4. Midnight48°

6:47 a.m. 4:51 p.m.

Forecasted byThe Weather Channel

See this week
  1. 6 a.m.35°
  2. Noon62°
  3. 6 p.m.57°
  4. Midnight48°
  1. Today67°40°
  2. Tue66°41°
  3. Wed56°36°
  4. Thu47°30°
  5. Fri42°26°

6:47 a.m. 4:51 p.m.

See full forecast

Monday, November 9, 2026

Iowa City school board meets its superintendent search firm today

Plus, Johnson County's 2,017 uncounted ballots changed no election outcomes.

The Good Day Iowa City team2 stories15 sources4 min read

SchoolsTop story

Iowa City's school board meets its superintendent search firm today

The district is paying $25,731 for its superintendent search

$25,731
the district is paying for Grundmeyer's services
4-2
vote that hired Degner for a new district role

Source: The Gazette

If you follow Iowa City schools, the board has a work session today. It will meet with Grundmeyer, an organization that helps districts find superintendents, as the search for a new one continues.

The board approved a contract with the firm, The Gazette reports. Its services include screening applicants and running executive-level background checks on finalists.

  • Work session: today, Mon., Nov. 9, at 4:30 p.m.
  • Interim superintendent: Amy Kortemeyer, who retired from Linn-Mar
  • Degner's new role: executive director of secondary education

Matt Degner resigned as superintendent effective July 1 amid a district budget crisis. Board members Mitch Lingo and Jayne Finch opposed hiring him for his new role, and Finch resigned from the board in August.

The search has moved from a resignation to a work session

  1. July 1Matt Degner's resignation as superintendent takes effect.
  2. AugustBoard member Jayne Finch resigns from the school board.
  3. Nov. 9Board holds a 4:30 p.m. work session with Grundmeyer.

Sources: KCRG, The Gazette

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Iowa City answered.

Asked

What would you most like to see in Iowa City's next superintendent?

Sponsored

Sponsored

Unwind naturally with Cornbread Hemp

Presented by Cornbread Hemp

Sponsored

We’ve stumbled upon something game-changing for a good night's sleep, and can't keep it to ourselves. Cornbread Hemp's CBD Sleep Gummies are the real deal. If you're tired of the grogginess that often tags along with traditional sleep aids, these gummies are a breath of fresh air.

They're made with top-notch USDA organic CBD extract, and the blend of valerian root, chamomile, and lavender. Almost like a lullaby from nature. What's awesome is that they don't leave you with that melatonin hangover feeling.

They come in two strengths, 750mg and 1500mg, so you can choose the dose that is right for you. The best part? Cornbread Hemp is giving you 30% off site-wide (with a minimum purchase of $55) when you order today with code GOODFEELS. Give Cornbread Hemp a shot. Your well-rested self will thank you later.

Order now

Community

Iowa City West alum Jack McCaffery is on medical leave after a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis

Jack McCaffery, an Iowa City West alum, is on indefinite medical leave from the University of Richmond basketball team after a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. He's the son of former Iowa coach Fran McCaffery.

Jack McCaffery went from Butler to Richmond to medical leave

  1. 2025-26Played basketball at Butler University.
  2. SpringTransfers to the University of Richmond.
  3. Nov. 8Is on indefinite medical leave from Richmond basketball.

Source: KCRG

Richmond's medical staff saw Jack earlier this week, and he then traveled home with his parents and began treatment in the hospital. Fran, now Penn's men's basketball head coach, said in a statement: "He is in great hands and our family feels blessed to be here."

“Hodgkin's lymphoma mainly affects young people in their 20s, but it is a highly curable form of cancer, thanks to years of dedicated research.”

Dr. Alison Wakoff Loren, Penn Medicine
  • Status: indefinite medical leave from Richmond basketball
  • Hospital: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  • Return: no timeline announced

Jack's father coaches at Penn, where Jack is hospitalized

WhoRole
Jack McCafferyRichmond player, on medical leave
Fran McCafferyPenn men's head coach
Dr. Alison Wakoff LorenPenn Medicine

Sources: KCRG, KGAN

News Notes

Ballots

Johnson County Auditor Julie Persons says the 2,017 absentee ballots found uncounted after Tuesday's election have been audited, and no outcomes changed. The box held all early votes and mail-in ballots received Mon., Nov. 2. The absentee board meets again today to finish UOCAVA ballots and any cured provisional ballots, and the county canvasses results at 1 p.m. Tue., Nov. 10. KWWLThe GazetteIowa City Press-Citizen

Activity fund

Iowa City school leaders still have no plan to make whole the student activity fund, which is $2.2 million in the red. For more than a decade, the district has been supplementing it with a fund used to pay staff salaries, officials revealed in June. The Gazette

Hawkeye football

Iowa rose to No. 15 in the latest Coaches Poll after its 24-10 win over Northwestern, up from 20th. The Hawkeyes were 21st in the previous AP Poll, and the next College Football Playoff rankings come out Tuesday. Iowa City Press-Citizen

Hawkeye hoops

Iowa men's basketball beat Eastern Illinois 91-47 Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena to go 2-0. The bench scored 61 points, and four Hawkeyes reached double figures. Next is Virginia Tech on Nov. 10 in Sioux City, the first of three straight power-conference opponents, followed by Creighton and Xavier. Times RepublicanThe Quad-City TimesKCJJVikings Wire

Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures against Eastern Illinois

Sources: Times Republican, KCJJ

View as table
Value
McCollum14 points
Coleman13 points
Thompson11 points
Sage10 points

Beauty

The Buy team here. Meet one of our favorite lip combos: Smashbox’s Full Fill-ter Smoothing Lip Glass Balm and Studio Extreme Longwear Lip Liner. The liner delivers up to 16 hours of transfer-proof, smudge-free wear, while the gloss provides eight hours of hydration and a high-shine finish. Our go-to pairing? Medium Brown liner with Coax gloss.

Tech

Finally, earbuds you can actually sleep in. These 2-in-1 Bluetooth earbuds feature an ultra-flat, featherlight design that won't dig into your ears when you're lying on your side. Cue up your favorite playlist, white noise or bedtime meditation and let yourself drift off. Shop them for under $30.

Try This

No contracts. No minimums. Just quick, easy, impactful advertising that actually reaches your neighbors, starting as low as $200. Learn more about our Self-Service Portal and see how simple local advertising can be.

Content marked with an * is advertising.

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Iowa City answered.

Asked

Which of these are you most likely to do in Iowa City this week?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us.

— Roy Adzak

Things to Do

Things to Do

Iowa City, IA

Monday, Nov. 9

See every Iowa City eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

Submit your Job listing

Do you know just the position for our readers? Advertise it on our Jobs board.

The Buy

Around the Block

Around the Block

Powered by Nextdoor

Neighbors

What's the saddest movie you've ever seen?

“I'm looking for a good cry.”

— A neighbor, College Green

11 likes · 78 comments

View post

The Wrap

Unicorns versus zombies sounds like a made-up matchup, but it was real Saturday at Mercer Aquatic Center, where the Old Capitol City Roller Derby teams split up for their Monster's Brawl bout. The unicorns had horns glued to their helmets, and the zombies had gashes drawn on their faces and arms.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? 7 area teams reach football semifinals; Iowa women visit UConn

Read yesterday’s edition

The Good Day Iowa City teamIowa City’s daily newsletter

How did we do, Iowa City?

Tap a face. It takes under a minute.

Not for meLoved it

That’s your morning, Iowa City.

Send it to someone in Iowa City who’d want it.

ShareEmailFacebookX
Every source in this edition15 links · 11 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. KCRGkcrg.com
  3. The Gazettethegazette.com
  4. KCRGkcrg.com
  5. KGANcbs2iowa.com
  6. KWWLkwwl.com
  7. The Gazettethegazette.com
  8. Iowa City Press-Citizenpress-citizen.com
  9. The Gazettethegazette.com
  10. Iowa City Press-Citizenpress-citizen.com
  11. Times Republicantimesrepublican.com
  12. The Quad-City Timesqctimes.com
  13. KCJJ1630kcjj.com
  14. Vikings Wirevikingswire.usatoday.com
  15. Iowa City events calendargooddayiowacity.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 10Iowa City schools have no plan for $2.2M shortfall; UI drops cancer center
  2. Sun., Nov. 87 area teams reach football semifinals; Iowa women visit UConn
  3. Sat., Nov. 7Iowa women rout Eastern Illinois 80-39; Beckman wins first state title
  4. Fri., Nov. 6Beckman and Western Christian win state volleyball titles in Coralville
  5. Thurs., Nov. 5Iowa City West's state volleyball run ends; UIHC eyes a donor's name
Every edition

Free every morning

Get Good Day Iowa City in your inbox.

The news, the things to do, the jobs and the weather of Iowa City, in five minutes, every morning by 8 a.m.

Free forever · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime

Good Day Iowa Cityto me · Mon., Nov. 96:00 a.m.

Iowa City school board meets its superintendent search firm today

Plus, Johnson County's 2,017 uncounted ballots changed no election outcomes.

The TLDR

  1. School board meets its superintendent search firm at 4:30 p.m.
  2. Iowa City West alum Jack McCaffery begins Hodgkin lymphoma treatment
  3. Johnson County: 2,017 uncounted ballots changed no outcomes
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Good Day Iowa City’s other editions

All the news
SchoolsIowa City school leaders still have no plan to cover a $2.2 million activity fund shortfallIf you have a kid in Iowa City schools, the money picture is still murky. Leaders have no plan to cover a $2.2 million shortfall in the student activity fund, which pays for athletics, music and clubs. It could have started building over a decade ago.Today’s editionRead University of IowaUniversity of Iowa drops its standalone cancer center and plans a $13 million research buildout insteadIf you follow UI Health Care, the plan for a standalone cancer center is off. Two years after the Board of Regents gave the go-ahead, UI officials say the building isn't moving forward: “Because of projected budget constraints, the standalone building is not advancing at this time.”Today’s editionRead Prep FootballSeven area football teams are headed to the UNI-Dome for the state semifinalsIf you follow area football, clear your week. Seven area teams are still alive, and the IHSAA released the full semifinal schedule with games Nov. 11 through Nov. 14 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.Sunday’s editionRead

Around Iowa City

From KWQC, Raccoon Valley Radio and 4 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. KWQC2 hours ago

    Tiffin man accused of running from police at 100 mph with 2 teens in car

    A Tiffin man is accused of running from police at over 100 mph with two teens in the car, police say.

  2. Raccoon Valley Radio2 hours ago

    Ram A.D. comments about swimmer Weber

    Photo courtesy of GCCSDGreene County Activities Director Dave Wright talked with Raccoon Valley Radio about eighth grader Mya Weber. She swims for Carroll High under an athletic sharing agreement and has qualified the State Meet in Iowa

  3. The Gazette3 hours ago

    Rob Sand introduces more transition staff, an Iowa City landmark undergoes a major renovation

    Good Tuesday morning….I hope your day is off to a good start. We’ve got quite a few new stories to share this morning, so I’ll jump right in.

  4. KCJJ3 hours ago

    Cedar Rapids joins Coralville and North Liberty in canceling Flock camera contract

    Hunter 11/10/26 The City of Cedar Rapids announced they will not renew their contract with Flock license plate reader cameras. The Gazette reports City Manager Jeff Pomeranz confirmed the change in an email to City Council members

    Also reported byKGAN

  5. The Gazette3 hours ago

    Shaun Cassidy brings songs, stories to Englert for holidays

    Shaun Cassidy, teen idol turned TV powerhouse who will be at Englert Theatre in Iowa City on Nov. 12, talks his 40-year concert hiatus, holiday tour, punk roots, and giving

  6. Times Republican5 hours ago

    Iowa baseball announces schedule for 2027

    IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa baseball team’s 57-game regular-season schedule was announced by head coach Rick Heller, featuring 26 games at Duane Banks Field. The Hawkeyes will begin their 2027 season at the Sun Coast Classic in North Port, Fla., from Feb. 19-21. The Hawkeyes open their home portion of the schedule on […]