The Iowa Heartlanders will not be on the ice for the 2026-27 season, the team’s ownership group announced on Monday, after the ECHL Board of Governors approved the group’s request for “a voluntary suspension of operations.” “This was an incredibly difficult decision that followed months of careful evaluation,” Michael Devlin, the team’s majority owner, said […]
Sports
Border collies tap into the herding mentality at national cattledog competition
Standing on a hill overlooking a green pasture, Rachel Ritland and I watched a group of cattle at the bottom of the valley. I pulled my jacket tight against the frigid wind, but Ritland, co-director of 3rd District of the United States Border Collie Handlers’ Association (USBCHA), didn’t seem to mind. She focused intently on […]
This Iowan is the voice of competitive marble racing
The number-one marble racing entity on the internet is Jelle’s Marble Runs. The Netherlands-based YouTube channel has 1.5 million subs, nearly 800 videos, dozens of “teams” and race “venues,” surprisingly elaborate lore, and a sheen of professional quality rivaling any ESPN sportscast. Part of that quality comes from the stellar commentary of Iowan Greg Woods.
Little Big Screen: ‘The Dark Knight’ and more blockbusters tattooed on George Kittle’s arms
There hasn’t been much Kittle to watch on Sundays since. A stupid hamstring sidelined him in the first half of the first game this season. But hey, Little Big Screen can still watch what must be a few of his favorite movies. Considering the characters are tattooed all over his arms.
Rep. Josh Turek, Democrat from Council Bluffs, launches campaign for Ernst’s Senate seat
On Tuesday, State Rep. Josh Turek entered the race for the 2026 Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. In his announcement video, the Council Bluffs native and Paralympic gold medalist centers his status as an “underdog” — in sports, politics and life.
After a mid-season coaching controversy, the Hawkeye Softball team bonded and thrived. So why are players transferring?
Soo-Jin Berry wrapped up our interview in May with an important closing thought. “Coach Karl is the best,” Hawkeye Softball’s starting shortstop stated with conviction. Karl Gollan stepped in as the team’s acting head coach during the middle of a season completed in early May. He led the University of Iowa to one of its […]
Rob Howe: Why I’m writing about sports for Little Village
My career changed significantly in October of 2020. It was not unexpected. University of Iowa fans warned me a few months earlier that I’d be ruining my career reporting on racial bias in the school’s football program. Amplifying voices of the former student-athletes making those claims burned bridges with many Hawkeyes and their intensely loyal […]
The Long game: A brief history of the six-on-six era of women’s basketball
More than 50 years before number 22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes was amazing basketball fans and creating new ones, number 55 on the girls basketball team of Union-Whitten High School in Harden County was doing the same. The six-on-six era of girls basketball in Iowa had a lot of dynamic players and high scorers, but […]
From sled hockey to RAGBRAI, Adaptive Sports Iowa wants to give all athletes a team
Wheelchair tennis is kind of like traditional tennis, but with wheelchairs. That sounds obvious, but the two sports are remarkably similar. The only adaptation is wheelchair players get two bounces instead of one. “Maneuvering your chair around and taking the figure eights and stuff on the court is really what I’ve learned, how to hit […]
Tips for growing a more natural lawn (that you can still play on!)
“In environmental circles, lawns often times get a bad rap,” observed Fred Meyer, director of Backyard Abundance. The Iowa City-based nonprofit, founded in 2006, is dedicated to helping individuals connect with and appreciate nature. Grass lawns offer little environmental benefit, reduce biodiversity and don’t do anything for local pollinators. That’s made traditional lawns a contested […]
Five for Five Seasons – Disc Golf Edition
Wanna throw some discs into some baskets in the greater Cedar Rapids area? Of course you do. There are two upcoming events and three courses to get you started.
Updated: ICOR boxing gym takes it to the next level in Iowa City
ICOR boxing gym in Iowa City will host grand opening events throughout the month of May in its new space at 1127 Shirken Dr. Co-owners Clifton Johnson Jr. and Emily Klinefelter said the opening will be a family-friendly cookout featuring music, light sparring and demonstrations. “Now we can stretch our legs a little bit and […]

