Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 11th of November.
Good morning, Dubuque.
🏘️ Community
The Iowa Women's Foundation awarded $400K in grants to 13 organizations at its Annual Luncheon—Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council among them—to help women and girls gain economic self-sufficiency.
President/CEO Deann Cook said the grants support both immediate needs and long-term change—adding that the foundation has given $2.3M to 249 groups statewide.
💼 Business
Origin Design, a Dubuque-based firm, won two 2025 Excellence in Concrete Awards for its work on the Keystone Bridge in Elkader and the DeWitt Fire Station addition.
The awards — given by the Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the American Concrete Institute Iowa Chapter — recognize projects that combine preservation and modern needs.
🎓 Education
After voters rejected the $70 million bond that would have closed one middle school and torn down another to build a new facility, the Dubuque School Board met last Monday to plan new ways to save money—options that might mean cuts to programs or staff.
Board member Nancy Bradley said the district now faces tough choices and must look for other savings—forcing hard decisions ahead.
🌲 Environment
Scientists from Iowa colleges warned that rising insurance costs driven by extreme weather could make homeownership too expensive for some Iowans, the annual Iowa Climate Statement said yesterday — noting similar trends in Florida, Texas and California may eventually force insurers to leave the state.
🏛️ Government
The Dubuque Fire Department uses the Ask Rail App to get real-time info on hazardous materials in rail cars—a tool that helped responders during a February 2015 train derailment in rural Dubuque County—and ongoing training keeps the team ready for high-risk emergencies.
The City of Dubuque Planning Services will ask for public input on a new outdoor community space at the Historic Millwork District — a plan to replace the temporary parking lot.
Residents are invited to join a session this Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Jule Operations and Training Center on Kerper Boulevard, with dinner served at 5:30 — an open house will follow on December 5th at the Merry Millwork Market.
Drivers should prepare for nightly closures on Highway 26 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. from tonight through Wednesday as work continues on the new Black Hawk Bridge, with crews dismantling a crane—meanwhile, the car ferry will run on a 12-hour schedule for Veterans Day, starting from Wisconsin at 7 a.m. and with the last trip leaving Iowa at 6:45 p.m.
Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited Northeast Iowa on Monday—he toured FarmTek in Dyersville and discussed a recent China trade deal that he said will help farmers by easing input costs.
He also announced his upcoming trade mission to Vietnam and Indonesia that begins on Friday.
🎉 Dubuque Events
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Attitude of Gratitude
Join us on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Grand River Center for Opening Doors’ Annual Attitude of Gratitude Gala, an unforgettable evening of inspiration, community, and celebration. Together we’ll honor 25+ years of healing, hope, and home with live music, gourmet dining, auctions, powerful resident stories, and a special tribute to Carol Gebhart's retirement, all while raising vital funds to empower women and change lives.
TRU REV MMA Debut in Dubuque
7-11 p.m. — Grand River Convention Center — $ — TRU REV MMA makes its highly anticipated debut in Dubuque, Iowa!
PopROCKS! Concert
7-11 p.m. — Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque — Reservations recommended — Experience an electrifying concert at the vibrant Mississippi Moon Bar.
A Very Electric Christmas
3:00 – 4:30 PM — Five Flags Center — Enjoy a heartwarming tale of adventure as a young bird named Max embarks on a journey at the North Pole.
Winter Soup Cooking Class
6-8 p.m. — Convivium Urban Farmstead — Sliding scale pricing — Warm up with a hands-on soup-making experience featuring African Peanut Stew and Ham & Split Pea Soup.
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa and the Goats
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Crazy Goat Soap Farm — Free entry — Celebrate the season with Santa and playful goats while enjoying cookies and warm cocoa.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
2:00 – 3:30 PM — Five Flags Center — Celebrate the season with holiday favorites alongside the Dubuque Chorale and Heartland Ballet.
Ceramic Christmas Tree Painting
6-8 p.m. — Captured on Canvas — Cost varies by payment method — Enjoy an evening of creativity by painting your own light-up ceramic Christmas tree.
🏠 Dubuque Real Estate
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💼 Dubuque Job Board
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📣 Dubuque Announcements
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