by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published March 11, 2026
Ames is preparing for a major leadership transition after City Attorney Mark Lambert announced plans to retire in September. City officials began preparations for a months-long national search designed to find the next top legal adviser at Tuesday’s council meeting.
by Artemis Tack, Staff Reporter Published February 28, 2026
The Ames community braved winter’s bitter wind on Saturday and gathered in front of the Campanile on the Iowa State University campus to march and advocate for freedom of speech, protection of due process and voting rights.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published February 28, 2026
After years of delays, broken concrete and growing frustration, Ames officials and the contractor who is building Schainker Plaza finally struck a deal to fix the troubled downtown project and get it open to the public in two stages by the end of 2026.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published February 25, 2026
With a half-finished overhaul of its water pollution control facility and millions already invested, a state grant will lower the city’s debt and ease pressure on ratepayers.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published February 25, 2026
Ames residents could be wheeling new recycling carts to the curb by this summer — but city leaders want more time to make sure the public understands what’s coming before they sign the deal.
by Fiona Winn, Staff Reporter Published February 18, 2026
The Ames Animal Shelter is $25,000 away from meeting its $7.5 million fundraising goal for its new facility. Of the $7.48 million raised, the Ames City Council allocated $3 million and the project raised another $3 million from anonymous donors. The shelter also received support from donors, businesses and other animal shelters to help fund facility expenses.
by Amber Mohmand, News Editor Published February 18, 2026
Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement recently asked the Ames School Board to consider a resolution that urges the Legislature to provide more public school funding.
by Artemis Tack, Staff Reporter Published February 11, 2026
The Ames Warming Place opened its doors last month and remained in service for 17 consecutive days as extreme cold settled over the city. Located in the basement of First United Methodist Church on Kellogg Avenue, the site opened on Jan. 16, just as temperatures began to drop and the overnight lows were consistently below zero.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published February 11, 2026
Housing accessibility, public engagement and environmental sustainability will be the Ames City Council’s priorities through the end of 2027. The council recently adopted a set of values, goals and tasks that will guide city priorities through 2027, focusing on housing, public engagement, community amenities and environmental sustainability.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published February 4, 2026
Ames residents could pay more in utilities in the upcoming fiscal year, including a proposed 1.5% increase in electricity and 5.5% increase in sanitary sewer rates. The council is reviewing a proposed budget that includes investments in public safety, a new Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus, the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, utility rate increases and major infrastructure projects.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published February 3, 2026
How do you budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year increasing overall spending while keeping the city’s property tax rate slightly lower and holding most staffing levels steady? That’s the goal of the Ames City Council.
