Q: I was wondering what are they going to do with all of that debris they’re getting from demolishing Crossroads Shopping Center? Are they recycling that material or does it all go to the landfill.
A: A spokesperson for ATI Group, the developer for the project, said materials will be recycled. This includes torn up concrete for new roads or steel and metals from the inside of the mall for future construction.
Q: Why did MercyOne recently cut 200 jobs in Des Moines, Ottumwa and Mason City?
A: MercyOne laid off a total of 141 employees in the past few months. This includes 67 workers in Des Moines from the revenue cycle department, 34 workers from MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City and 40 more after the clinic in Ottumwa closes at the end of the month. Trinity Health, which owns MercyOne, stated in a news release that the layoffs come as the company’s annual revenue will decrease by $1.5 billion due to federal health care cuts from reductions to coverage, payment and access to Medicaid and Medicare.
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Q: Is it true if you’re on Medicaid after you pass away the government can take all of your belongings, including your house, your car and anything you own?
A: Yes. The state has the right to be reimbursed for fees paid with Medicaid after someone on the program dies, known as estate recovery laws. This includes houses, land, personal property – such as household goods or cars – and any other asset owned at the time of death. The state cannot ask for more money than was paid.
Q: We are wondering why do data centers need so much water?
A: Data centers require water to cool the servers to prevent the technology from overheating and failing.
Q: What’s Chaz Bono doing nowadays?
A: According to his IMDb, he has had roles in indie horror films in 2025 and 2024.
Q: We are wondering why is half of the police force in the nation looking for Nancy Guthrie when we’ve never heard of her before.
A: Her name is likely in the headlines so much because her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, is a famous broadcast journalist.
Q: I want to know how much the city of Waterloo code enforcement department spends on sending out certified mail tickets citations for violations. How much do they spend annually doing that and why aren’t they issuing them in person like other departments do?
A: Maria Downing with the city’s code enforcement department said citations are sent by mail because many cases involve property owners and other entities that do not reside in the city or at the property during regular business hours. The letter then provides a documented, legally verifiable method of notice to ensure due process requirements are met. She said there is not a single annual figure readily available because citations are also issued by other departments, others are voided before mailing and others include multiple parties connected to the same property. This would require a manual review of all tickets.
Q: Why is gasoline so mucher higher in Black Hawk County? After you get out of the county the prices really dropped.
A: The U.S. Energy Information Administration said gas prices can vary depending on a station’s wages, equipment, rent, overhead costs and local taxes. The number of local competitors can also affect prices.
Q: There used to be a lot of mourning doves in Waterloo but they haven’t come around for the last two years. We used to feed them bird seed. Is there a reason why they’re no longer coming around? Does it have anything to do with the open season on mourning doves in Iowa?
A: We could not find an exact answer on if populations are declining but there are an estimated more than 345 million mourning doves in the country. Mourning doves are migratory birds and fly south for winter. Like most birds, they are active in the early morning, so maybe try to look for them then.
Call (319) 291-1550 to leave a voicemail or email newsroom@wcfcourier.com with your question.
See photos of Dillard's, Crossroads Mall demolition in Waterloo
A crew was demolishing the former Dillard's department store at the Crossroads Mall on Jan. 30, 2026, in Waterloo. Later, in the early March, crews were demolishing other parts of the mall. Tearing down the mall is a step in preparing the site for new development. Demolition of the mall is expected to be completed in 240 days.
A crew demolishes the former Dillard's department store at the Crossroads Mall on Friday in Waterloo. Demolition of the mall is expected to be completed in 240 days.
