Good morning, Ames.

JBS USA reached an agreement to buy a former Hy-Vee facility in Ankeny and will invest about $100 million to expand it into the largest ready-to-eat bacon and sausage plant in its portfolio—expected to hire 400 people and be fully ready by mid-2026.

On Tuesday, August 12th, the Iowa Board of Regents looked at two videos showing university workers allegedly trying to get around new diversity laws—one from Fox News shows a University of Iowa worker while another from Accuracy in Media shows a former Iowa State worker whose job was cut in December 2024. The university put two employees on leave after the video came out — and the board did not take any direct action.

Iowa State University fans are gearing up for the Cyclones’ game in Dublin in 10 days—with the ISU Bookstore in Ames offering new Ireland-themed gear on a dedicated wall, as noted by store manager Ronit Nayak.

79th Annual Conservation Conference

8 AM - 1 PM — Gateway Hotel & Conference Center — Registration required — Engage with conservation professionals and learn about sustainable practices.

Iowa State WelcomeFest

5:30-8:30 p.m. — ISU Memorial Union — Free entry — Celebrate the start of the semester with free swag and a chance to win a luxury vehicle.

South Dakota Coyotes vs. Iowa State Cyclones Football

2:30-5:30 p.m. — Jack Trice Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Experience thrilling college football as the Coyotes face off against the Cyclones.

LINUX Shell Scripting Training Class

Sep 3-4 — Iowa State Online, Howe Hall, 2624 — Check event page for pricing — Enhance your software development skills with hands-on Linux shell scripting training.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones Tailgate

12-4 p.m. — 1400 S 4th St, Ames, IA — BYOB encouraged — Celebrate Hawkeye football with tailgate games, music, and fun for all fans.

Dreaming Hildegard Exhibition Reception

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Octagon Center For the Arts — Free entry — Explore the solo exhibition by Christopher Hynes and enjoy complimentary refreshments.

Repair Café

10 AM – 2 PM — Ames Public Library — Free entry — Fix your beloved items with the help of dedicated volunteer repair coaches.