Morningside University officials are looking into building a new stadium on the east edge of Sioux City that could be used for the Mustangs’ college baseball games.
The Woodbury County Planning and Zoning Commission is reviewing a proposal that could be built near the intersection of Buchanan Avenue and Old Highway 141. Woodbury County Board of Supervisors member Kent Carper told Siouxland Public Media News the proposal was first reviewed by the commission on May 29.
The next meeting of a county entity will likely come on July 7, after Morningside officials clarify issues related to traffic, lighting, noise, and a development timeline, Carper said.
The Morningside baseball team for many years contracted to play home games at Lewis & Clark Stadium that is also the home of the independent league Sioux City Explorers team.
That changed with the spring 2025 season, when the team played all its games on the road, including some “home” games on the fields of other nearby baseball programs.
*Additionally, the live music options in Sioux City will shrink at the end of the June, when The Marquee will close.
In a Friday post on Facebook, Marquee officials wrote that they regret having to close on June 28, after a final batch of music shows over the next few weeks.
Last year, Marquee owner Mitch Martin posted that he was looking into avenues for potentially selling the business. The Marquee opened in 2017, after a previous music venue in that Fourth Street location, The Chesterfield, closed.
The Friday post said,, “For the past 8 years, this space has been more than just a bar and venue – it’s been a community. We’ve had the honor of hosting incredible artists, unforgettable shows, and the kind of nights that live forever in stories and songs.”
*In other news, a ribbon cutting will be held Monday for a recreation trail segment in Clay County that is planned to soon connect to the northerly Iowa Great Lakes trail system.
The event will be held at 5:45 p.m. at 310th Street, just north of the small town of Fostoria, to the west of U.S. Highway 71, as first reported by Explore Okoboji News.
The southerly Clay County piece is an extension of the trail in Spencer that since last year was constructed about 7 miles north to Fostoria.
At the same time, trail officials are working with city officials in Milford for a way to bring the south edge of the trail in Dickinson County to link into one trail connecting both counties. Some of that Milford-area segment could be built this summer.
Additionally, in giving out awards of nearly a combined $500,000 to seven projects, the Okoboji Foundation on Thursday gave a grant of $75,000 to the Dickinson County Trails Board for connecting the two counties.
*Two Catholic universities in eastern Iowa are merging after experiencing financial pressures.
Saint Ambrose University in Davenport and Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids have finished the first step in their consolidation, which involved merging their assets under the Saint Ambrose name.
The Catholic universities decided to merge after years of declining enrollment. It comes at a time when the future of higher education funding is uncertain.
Amy Novak is the president of Saint Ambrose University, who said the merger will help to strengthen both schools.
*Additionally, Pride festivities began in Sioux City Thursday with a parade downtown. In addition to the parade there are multiple events throughout the month.
Pride celebrations will continue in spite of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion rollbacks, organizers said.
Martina Shakers, Executive Director of Sux Pride, told Siouxland Public Media, “Pride is important because it allows people to, one have their self expression. It allows them to be who they are and to be open with who they are”.
Shakers also said that many people across the Midwest travel to Sioux City for Pride.
Other events include the Be You Festival starts at 5 p.m. Friday, and on Saturday the Pride Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Pride Prom will happen on June 13th for LGBTQ+ teens and their allies at the Masonic Temple from 7 to 11 p.m.
