by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published January 28, 2026
The Ames City Council decided how the city will handle gender identity discrimination complaints after directing city staff members in December to add gender identity as a protected class in the city’s human relations code.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published January 28, 2026
Ames is moving forward with plans to build a new Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus that will replace the city’s aging waste processing plant, and the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is on track with its construction, the lobby floors require costly upgrades.
by Amber Mohmand, News Editor Published January 21, 2026
A new indoor playground is set to open next month, giving families a much-needed space for kids to play. Ames Play Yard, opening Feb. 13 at 2175 232nd Lane, is owned by Jenna Miller, a nurse and mother of five who saw a gap in local indoor activities for children.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published January 21, 2026
The Ames City Council is looking at a five-year plan to spend more than $431 million on major projects across the city, from moving a fire station to building new water towers and replacing aging streets.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published January 14, 2026
The Ames City Council on Tuesday approved up to $806,300 for the next phase of designing a new fire station to replace the aging Station No. 2 on Welch Avenue in Campustown.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published January 14, 2026
The Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is gearing up to open its doors this year, with city staffers shifting their focus from construction to hiring employees, buying equipment and preparing the facility for swimmers.
Iowa has a critical shortage of all health care workers, and it’s straining the state’s entire care system, from hospitals to nursing homes. It could also be impacting your health, especially if you’re in a rural area. For Ames residents, the shortage makes it more challenging to find a primary care provider or see a specialist — leading to a negative impact on their health and longevity.
For 25 years, the Ames community leaned on the Israel Family Hospice House (IFHH) to guide families through the process of dying. The last day IFHH accepted new hospice patients was Dec. 15 and the remaining patients left on Dec. 17. The final two weeks at the house have been for cleaning up and moving out. It officially closes Dec. 31.
by Bill Monroe, Staff Reporter Published December 17, 2025
It’s tougher than ever to budget for a city due to new legislative mandates on Iowa’s property tax system, forcing cities to find additional revenue to maintain services. For the city of Ames, the loss of property tax revenue has a substantial impact on its budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
by Amber Mohmand, News Editor Published December 17, 2025
Food at First, a free meal program and perishable food pantry, received just under $18,000 in donations from Penn State fans as a parting gift to the Cyclone community following head coach Matt Campbell's exit from Iowa State for Penn State.
