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Thursday, January 15th, 2026

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Good morning, Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 15th of January.

CULTURE NEWS

  • Bob Munden, named the 'Fastest Man with a Gun' by Guinness, showed his quick draw at a 1992 demonstration in Des Moines, hitting a cup in less than two-tenths of a second + he later said real gunfights were made for movies, not real life.  KCCI
  • The Iowa State Fair 2026 will open with country artist HARDY (with special guest McCoy Moore) on Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. and close with a family-friendly Christian concert by Josiah Queen (with guest Ben Fuller), replacing the traditional kid-friendly slot while tickets go on sale Jan. 16.  The Des Moines Register

ECONOMY NEWS

  • Iowa set new records for its 2025 harvest with 2.77 billion bushels of corn and a record soybean yield of 63.5 bushels per acre — Ag Secretary Mike Naig said farmers achieved these results amid varied weather and high input costs.  Radio Iowa

EDUCATION NEWS

  • The West Des Moines School District voted to end Walnut Creek Campus as a stand-alone school starting next school year; alternative programs will continue districtwide (location to be decided by early March).  KCCI
  • Two teachers from Manchester and Johnston are suing the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and its executive director after complaints were solicited against them for social media posts about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. They seek a restraining order to stop further action and claim their free speech rights were violated.  The Des Moines Register

REAL ESTATE NEWS

  • University of Iowa finance professor Martin Grace said older homes need upgrades to withstand extreme weather, as severe storms and floods may worsen in the future. He warns Iowans may have to remodel to include resilient roofs and flood-tolerant features (a costly but necessary change).  Radio Iowa

EVENTS

SUBMIT EVENT
  • New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness

    This FUNctional fitness class will increase your strength for everyday living!!

    Fri, 1/10/25

    View event
  • The Outreach Project

    1-2 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Connect with community advocates for resources including meal sites, shelters, and support services.

    Fri, 1/16/26

    View event
  • Olivaya Dream: Stretch Series

    6:00-6:45 p.m. — Mainframe Studios — Registration opens December 1st — Experience gentle stretching and reconnect with your inner calm in this weekly hybrid class.

    Mon, 1/19/26

    View event
  • AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Course

    2-10:30 p.m. — Iowa Methodist Medical Center — $225 — Enhance your fetal monitoring skills with this comprehensive course tailored for healthcare professionals.

    Tue, 1/20/26

    View event
  • 2026 Iowa Pork Congress

    Wed, Jan 21 8 AM – Thu, Jan 22 2 PM — Iowa Events Center — Check for admission details — Celebrate the pig industry's contributions with business insights and networking opportunities.

    Wed, 1/21/26

    View event
  • Wiggles and Giggles Storytime

    10:15-10:45 a.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Enjoy a fun storytime featuring movement, music, and rhyming.

    Thu, 1/22/26

    View event
  • The Outreach Project

    1-2 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Connect with local organizations for resources and support in the community.

    Fri, 1/23/26

    View event
  • Vincent Mason Live Performance

    7:00-9:30 p.m. — Val Air Ballroom — Ticket prices vary — Experience expansive artistry framed by relatable storytelling and warm sonics from Vincent Mason.

    Sat, 1/24/26

    View event
  • Jazzy Ash and The Leaping Lizards Concert

    4-7 p.m. — Des Moines Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Get ready for an exciting live performance by Jazzy Ash and The Leaping Lizards in Des Moines.

    Sun, 1/25/26

    View event
  • Olivaya Dream: Stretch Series

    6:00-6:45 p.m. — Mainframe Studios — Cost varies — Experience a soothing hybrid class focused on gentle stretching and breath work to unlock your inner calm.

    Mon, 1/26/26

    View event
  • Abundance To Go Market

    3-6 p.m. — The Wallace Centers of Iowa — Cost varies — Explore seasonal delights with organic preserved foods sourced from local farms.

    Tue, 1/27/26

    View event

REAL ESTATE

SUBMIT LISTING

No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.

JOB BOARD

SUBMIT JOB

No new job posts today. You can submit one here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUBMIT

No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

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