Daily
Des Moines
Friday, January 16th, 2026
Good morning, Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Fort Des Moines Little League officials say kids will still play ball after a fire destroyed its concession stand and storage building & they are asking for donations to replace the lost equipment as registration remains open until Feb. 21. KCCI
- ➤ Toyota of Des Moines donated $15,000 on Jan. 15 at Mediacom Stadium to the Des Moines Public Schools girls' flag football program, aiming to boost equipment and build opportunities for young athletes. JP Phillips said the donation is meant to empower girls to try new sports. KCCI
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Gas prices in some Iowa areas have jumped from $1.87 to over $2.50 a gallon since Jan. 1, with Des Moines seeing the steep rise. AAA Iowa says market adjustments without usual triggers explain the change + Council Bluffs now offers the cheapest at $2.29 while Ames tops at $2.66. Radio Iowa
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Waukee Community School District is joining a national initiative with OpenAI to launch ChatGPT for Teachers, a new AI tool designed for K-12 classrooms. The district, the only one in Iowa selected, gives teachers early access to planning, collaboration, and communication tools + extra student data safeguards. KCCI
- ➤ The State Board of Education approved updated K-12 social studies standards today after months of review and public input — including a call to explicitly address antisemitism in Holocaust-related guidelines — and added content on human growth and development for Grades 5 through 12. KCCI
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Maj. Gen. Stephen E. Osborn delivered the annual Condition of the Guard address today praising wounded and fallen soldiers. He honored their service with words that recognized the sacrifices made by those who served. The Des Moines Register
- ➤ Major General Stephen Osborn honored two fallen Iowa Guard soldiers from Marshalltown and Des Moines during his Condition of the Guard speech this morning. He noted over 1800 Guard members are deployed overseas and that 80 soldiers from Johnston will deploy to Poland this summer. Radio Iowa
- ➤ Polk County will activate its extreme temperature plan today at 6 p.m. to open warming centers at local sites (including the Central Library and Scott-Four Mile Community Recreation Center) as cold weather is expected through Tuesday. The Des Moines Register
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Governor Kim Reynolds said the state will start awarding contracts by the end of this month to distribute $50 million in federal funds for cancer screening tests and treatment across regional cancer hubs — part of a $209 million grant to expand rural health care options. Radio Iowa
- ➤ Federal health officials say some Iowans have fallen sick with salmonella after using Live It Up-brand Super Greens powder under recall. The recalled products include original and wild berry flavors (Aug. 2026 to Jan. 2028) as cases are still being monitored. Radio Iowa
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New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness
This FUNctional fitness class will increase your strength for everyday living!!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Reading Challenge Book Club
10:30-11:30 a.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Dive into a captivating mystery with 'The Busybody Book Club' by Freya Sampson.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Well done is better than well said.
~ Benjamin Franklin
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