To and ffm school. We will be picking children up at homeless shelters and motels any place that has been designated a stop that we need to go to. The district has used Cab Companies to get students for several years, but dispatching individual cabs got expensive. So its trying a new Program Using small number of students at first. School leaders say this should cut costs nearly in half and address safety concerns. 12 47 13 just looking at as many of us being parentssthe ththught of putting our kindergartener or first grader on a cab, which is public transportation, could be kind of scary for both the parent and for the students hayes says it could expanddthe program in a few months. The districts homeless specialist says many are shocked to hear how many students are affected by homelessness in the district. Last year we had 620 homeless students and thats prek through 12th grade. The district says this nts van will also mean more to younger students than you might think. Its always optimal to help our homels students not feel different or isolated fromm their peers. So givvng them a chance to still ride the bus, even though they might be living in a hotel or in a shelter or at a transitional housing i think is just a way to help them normalize the experience. In cedar rapids, jill kasparie, kcrgtv9 news. The district says it will pay Neighborhood Transportation Services 170 dollars a day for theen students who are in thiinew program. That will create a savings because the cabs cost 300 dollars a day. 30dollars for each student. Turning now to weather and meteorologis t joe winters. Joe, when will the strong winds die down . Strong winds diminish for the end of the week leading to a beautiful weekend. This is not to say we wont feel the wind ononfriday, but a a 530 mph breeze will certainly be an improvement. A fantastic highs above normal in the middle to upper 50s. Enjoy it because early next week it turns a bit wet. Tonight mostly clear, windy low 2834 winds nw 1530tomorrow partly cloudy high 4248 winds nw 1530 back to you. Prosecutors, Law Enforcement officers d doctors say theyre ready to fight back against iowas growing heroin problem. Today, dozens of leaders discussed the issue at the university f iowas college of public health. One bii concern is prrcription pain killele abuse leading to heroin abuse. Both drugs are opioids. Officials say theyre working to add more drug takeback containers in police and sheriffs offices across eastern iowa. Theyre also calling on doctors to scale back how many prescriptions they write for pain killers. We cant have a purely law cant arrest our way out of it, we have to get on the front end of it and prevent people from becoming addicted and treat those that are in addiction before they engage in significant,misconduct. Next year, the cdc is expected to announce new guidelines to the medical community on prescribing opioids. This was a long day for the three members of the iowawatilities board. A long day hearing what people think of the Bakken Oil Pipeline that would cut through the state. If something happens to our water, our aquifer its going tobe all of us iim here on behalf of the International Brotherhood of boilermakers. We make a living, members and myself, on fossil fuels and oil today, the utillties board heard from more than 200 people on the controversial pipeline project. The board will eventually decide whether to allow the company, dakota access, to build the oil pipeline through 18 counties in iowa. Todays hearing was the only Public Comment session the board has scheduled for the pipeline project. The next step involves hearings for the pipeline landowners. Improving cedar lake has been a concern for decades in cedar rapids as city leaders try to make it a destination for recreation. Earlier this year, the Iowa Department of natural resououces removed tte lake froro the sstes list of impaired waterways. Since 1986, the dnr had advised people to avoid eating fish from the lake because of a high level of contaminants. Now it says the fish are safer to o at. Kcrgtv9s chris earl looks at what the people who use cedar lake, and who care about it the most, want to see it become. The last few weeks have brought e last gap off warar weather and also the final days with a high volume of runners, walkers and cyclists along cedar lake. Yet on wednesday night, dozens came out to offer their thoughts on how w o make this urban lake better. Some pushed for more kayaking whatever they have that has to do`with water sports on a small scale would be excellent. Or simply a better presentation for the thousands of drivers from i380. This is a big project and it can add a lot tonhancing how the interstate runs through cedar rapids and how it looks. These meetings on ccdar lake are nothiig new two years ago, in november 2013 many of the same questions came up in a process that harkens all the way back to 1980, when city leaders thoughthtf cedar lake e nd its potential. What would be the first project . It wouldnt be for anything cosmetic. But whats underneath the surface. We need to develop a storm Water Management plan so that the sedimentation doesnt continue to fill in the lake. Friends of cedar lake president daleodd said Alliant Energy still owns the lake as the work is still ongoing for city to gain ownership of the lake. Riit now we knowowwe have a bunch ofofmud like most urban lakes and we believe something should be done and we cant leave it as it is. Even as this group clearly wants a better lake with more to offer for decades to follow. In cedar pids, chris earl, kcrgtv 9 news. People in alburnett will soon have a safer way to get to a Sports Complex just outside of town. Wowokers have almoot fifiished pouring the concrete for a pathway leading from the town to the martin Sports Complex. The Alburnett Lions club received grants and donaqions, s well as money from the city, for the 38 thousanndollar project. The club wanted to build the pathway to keep people from walking on the side of the road, right next to a steady flow of traffic. The shoulder of the road leading from town out to the complex is just n nt safe for peoole to be on. The Cross Country team does run it to come out here to use the trail thats around the complex and its just not a good situation, so im ticked we can have a nice safe trail for them to come out here and practice. The Alburnett Lionssclub says it is stitil taking tonight, kcrgtv9 introduced Gray Television to eastern iowa. Gray hosted a reception for cedar rapids leaders, business people, kcrg, and the Gazette Company. Kcrgtv9 joined the gray family of tv stationn in more than 50 markets nationwide this year. Tonight, grays ceo, hilton howell, said it was important for the company to be a part of iowa news media and to carry on the kcrg traditiononof serving the community. Hilton gray is going to try to do and bring as much or more as the Gazette Company did in the past to kcrg. We are devoted to this area, this is now one of our hometowns, and youre going to see us building and growing. Chuck but we also saw the significant changes that were coming n the industry, and gray is much better prepared to deal with those than we would be, so this is actually bess for the community. Peters says the newspaper will continue to partner with kcrgtv9 to serve the community together. In two d ds the democratic president ial candidates will meet in des moines for their next debate. But when candidates start to field questions, it comes with a first ever twist. Well look at how social mmdia wiwil play a part, up next. First heres a look at the most popular stories today on kcrg dot com. Stay with your 24 hour news source, kcrgtv9 the three democratic will converge on iowa this weekend for their second debate. Drake University in es moines is hostingng saturday nights debate. Itll feature four moderators. Wholl question hillary clinton, bernie sanders, and martin omalley. Questions will also come from twitter. Organizers sby this is the first time twitter is officially taking part in a president ial debate. One person wholl also be on a special voter panel says the format will show how candides think on their feet, and their answers to the questions could help decide who hell support. It would take something significant but i always try to go into caucus season with an open mind. A new cbs New York Times strong winds diminish for the end of the week leing to a beautiful weekend. This is not to say we wont feel the wind on friday, but a 1530 mph breeze will certainly be an improvement. A fantastic weekend is in store with mostly sunny skies and highs above normal in the middle to upper 50s. Enjoy it because early next week it turns a bit wet. Tonight mostly clear, windy low 2834 winds nw 1530tomorrow partly cloudy high 4248 winds nw 1530tomorrow night clear cool low 23299 winds w 510saturday mostly sunny high 56 low 26 sunday mostly sunny high 58 low 36 monday showers likely high 53 low 42 tuesday showers likely high 54 low 44 wednesday chanceef showers high 50 low 44 thursday mostly cloudy high 48 major offensive to take,back a key town from isis. Several thousand kurdish troops attacked sinjar , iraq, while the United States supported them with airstrikes. Us military Officials Say the stakes in the area are higigh. Kurdish forces have already captured a 22mile stretch of a highway leading into the town. The city is along a major route between isis strongholds in iraqs second biggest city, mosul, and syria. Fighters, fuel and supplies move between the tows. This is a specific effort to target this one supply line, this critical supply line between raqqa and mosul, that we think, if it is indeed severed would have an impact on isil and its operationk, particularly in iraq. Us officials tell abc that the military launched a drone strke today, targeting jihadi john. He is the masked isis member whoo beheadee a number of hostages, including journalists james foley and Stephen Sotloff and aid worker, peter kassig. A former army captain who saved many of his fellow soldiers from a suicide bomber in afghanistan received the militarys highest honor today. President obama presented the medal of honor to florent groberg. Groberg was part of a security detail in 2012 when an ambush unfolded, and he tackled the suicide bomber. Two bombs still went off, seriously wounding roberg, and killing four other soldiers. But re would have died, if groberg had not acted. Groberg my job was simple, protect the principles. No matter the outcome obama he showed his guts, he showed his training, thats an americcn we can all be greeful for. Groberg has spent the last three years recovering from his wounds. He resigned from the army in july. Tonightathlete of the week comes with a musical challenge. And he also has highlights from the state football and volleyball semifinals. Stay with your 24 hour news phase two of renovations is underway at the Eastern Iowa Airport meaning the ticket counters wont be in their usual place. Well take you inside as travelers prepare for the olidays. And once the wind is gone, well have another nice weekend ahead. Kajs 120. But the hawks had their hands full against undefeated pella in the 3a semifinals in a game you saw live on kcrg 9. 2. The dutch took a 10nothing lead on will warner field goal. West delaware answered on the ground coy russell breaks off the 11 yard gain. But the drive stalled andndeven worse the punt was blocked by Noah Clayberg with the and payson vandeloon gobbles it up for the touchdown for the 17 nothing pella lead. West delaware answered thru the air max ririenour goes deep for john nagel 59 yards for six. But clayberg answered just 12 seconds later with thi 80 yard t. D run and pella leads west delaware in the third quarter. 8 man football this morning don bosco and newell fonda. 2nd quarter, the dons on 4th and 8. Brandon bagby hits dylan reyer. And he stretches over the goalline. To gets to the outside. And breaks a zillion tackles on his way to 25 yard touchown run. And don bosco rolls into the title game with a 307 win. Lets bump, set and spike. Scott westerberg has highlighs from the semifinals of thehestate volleyball tournament. 2a semis. Dike new hartford and sumner fredericksburg. The wolverines trying to get back to another state final. Setter taylor hedges sees an open spot on the floor and takes it herself for the kill. This match went 5 sets and in the end, sumnerfrederickbur g knocks off the 4 time defending champs from dikenew hartford. Also in 2a. West branch and western ristian. The bears hanging tough early on as allllson Simpson Serres up an ace. But the wolfpack had too much firepower as west branch falls three sets to one. Class 1a. Janeslle and tripoli. The panthers are at state for the 9th Straight Year nd looooing to hanggaround another day as keely heller smokes that one by the janesville blockers. But the wildcats had other plans. Andrea hessewith the kill as janesville sweeps tripoli. And west delaware is headed back to the state titltl match in 4a as the hawks sweep lewis central. From the state volleyball tournament, Scott Westerberg tv9 sports. For more semifinal highlights from class 5a, and 4a, go to kcrg. Com. Finally its s ime for another edition of the kcrg tv9 athlete of the week sponsored by cedar rapids toyota. They say bitime players make big time plays inig games and that is exactly at kenndy senior shaun beyer did against wash in the 4a quarter finals. Beyer had a big sack and a 61 yard touchdown grab followed by the play of the game on the final play of the first half with a 88 yaad pick six in a 217 cougars win to stay unbeaten and advance to semifinals against bettendorf tomorrow. Did you think you could take that all the way . I isaw nimmers coming from the backside he is very fast i turned the jets on and just got in the endzone thankfully. Is it chemistry and e fact you guys have bought into each other . A lot of tight knit group playing as a family and all playing as one on the field. He leads our team and sacks and then ofensively he is such a weapon at so many osiitons. I was a receiver in High School Just like you i want you to read this first line. Scott saville caught two touchdown passes to end the season undfeated. That has to make you a little nervous. Shaan has thth size and age advantage but i was psyched up and ready to play. Finger football are you kidding me. What did you think i would risk an injury to beyer the night before the biggest game of his life. The loser has to bea box the kennedy fight song g ith dallas jaaobus. First one too seven wins and i struck first with the touchdown but i shanked the extra point leaving the door open for shaun he couldnt take advanage so i had a chance to win it on aa7 yard field goal and just like marshall thanks scott. One last look at the forecast, joe. Strong winds diminish for the end of the week leading to a beautiful weekend. This is not to say we wont feel the wind on friday, but a 1530 mph breeze will certainly be an improvement. A fantastic weekendds in store witt mostly sunny skies and highs above normal in the middle to upper 50s. Enjoy it because early next week it turns a bit wet. Tonight mostly clear, windy low 2834 winds nw 1530tomorrow partly cloudy high 4248 winds nw 1530 thanks joe. Thaaks for joinng us for kcrgtv9 newew at 10. We hope youll be with us again tomorrow. Until then, have a