The demolition that had been put on hold resumed today in downtown Sioux City.
The City of Sioux City has been working with developers and an engineering firm to see whether they could take down 625 Douglas, known by many people as the old KCAU building, and save the adjoining 615 Douglas.
Council-member Alex Watters told Siouxland Public Media News that, “the secondary engineering reports that came out said so long as we are very cautious with how we take down 625 Douglas that 615 Douglas should be able to remain intact.”
Watters also says that if 615 Douglas is viable, the hope is to convert the building into commercial and residential spaces.
* In other news, Republicans on an Iowa Senate panel have advanced a bill aimed at strengthening checks of voters’ citizenship status.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says that it will help him partner with other agencies to get more information about registered voters.
Democratic Senator Cindy Winckler opposed the bill over concerns that the part allowing poll-workers to ask voters if they’re citizens would lead to discrimination.
Pate also says he now has access to a federal list of noncitizens who have permission to be in the U.S. He says he’s comparing that to the voter registration list to determine if any noncitizens voted in the 2024 election.
*Additionally, the National Endowment for the Arts has changed its grant guidelines for 2026.
The changes to the guidelines would deny applications focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion projects.
