Good morning, Council Bluffs.

Big Kel's Pizza and Wings in Council Bluffs hosted a Blooms and Brews event for St. Patrick's Day where participants picked flowers and created arrangements (and enjoyed beverages) on Mar.

11. Bloom Works organizes these holiday-themed events several times a year.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would give teachers more power to remove disruptive students from classrooms (a change that could affect local schools) as the proposal awaits further debate.

Iowa lawmakers passed two bills giving teachers more power to manage disruptive students in classrooms.

One bill requires a meeting with a student before returning to class (the other mandates discipline policies) to keep learning environments safe.

Four Iowa community colleges will use state grants to upgrade career and technical education programs for students seeking a postsecondary path.

The initiatives aim to expand learning opportunities and improve job readiness.

Metropolitan Community College will launch a new biotechnology training program this fall designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare, agriculture, renewable fuels and manufacturing.

The program features a new laboratory that mimics real-world biotech workplaces and was developed with input from local industry.

The Iowa Senate passed two higher education bills that require better student loan details and call for university endowment investments in Iowa projects.

The bipartisan action aims to boost transparency in how these funds support local education.

Council Bluffs City Council voted not to support selling land to the community school district for a new STEM charter school today, leaving the district to find an alternate location—this decision was made during the recent meeting.

State-funded University of Iowa researchers reported to a House subcommittee yesterday that Iowa has the nation's second-highest cancer rate, driven by lung cancer, melanoma, and prostate cancer.

They urged lawmakers to consider measures such as the proposed tobacco-tax increase and plan further study of potential water-quality links.

Council Bluffs Fire Department has partnered with OneDose to launch an app that uses AI to calculate weight-based medication doses for patients.

The new tool will help emergency teams deliver proper care.

Connections Area Agency on Aging Announces “Steak Your Claim” Raffle

Connections Area Agency on Aging is excited to announce the launch of its Steak Your Claim Raffle, offering the chance to win ¼ of locally sourced beef—complete with processing at a local meat locker—valued at over $1,500. This opportunity is made possible thanks to the generosity of several community donors.

Time to Paddy 5k/10k & Lucky 13.1

8-11 a.m. — Miller's Landing — Check website for registration fees — Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a family-friendly themed run featuring great swag and community spirit.

Adult Board Game Night

6:00 – 8:45 p.m. — Council Bluffs Public Library — Free entry — Engage in fun with new and classic board and card games every third Tuesday of the month.

On The Edge Live Music Performance

7-10 p.m. — The Dock Bar & Grill — Cost info not specified — Enjoy an evening of live music in a popular local venue.

Sinners N Saints Live Performance

8:30 p.m. — The Dock Bar & Grill — No cover charge specified — Experience an electrifying night of rock n roll with Sinners N Saints in Council Bluffs.

Springfest

11 a.m.-4 p.m. — Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park — Free entry — Celebrate spring with a spectacular kite show and family-friendly activities under colorful skies.

Kuemper vs. Lewis Central Boys Varsity Soccer Match

6-7:45 p.m. — Lewis Central High School — Free entry — Enjoy a local high school soccer matchup between Kuemper and Lewis Central.

Lincoln Boys JV Soccer vs. Lewis Central

5-6:45 p.m. — Lewis Central High School — Free entry — A local matchup between the JV soccer teams of Lincoln and Lewis Central promises exciting action on the field.

Skutt Catholic Boys Varsity Soccer Match Against Lewis Central

10:30 a.m. — Lewis Central High School — Free entry — Catch a high-stakes non-conference soccer showdown on the field.