Good morning, Des Moines.

On Sunday, dozens of local vendors set up stands at Big Grove Brewery, Exile Brewing Company, and Lua Brewing for the Des Moines Makers Market Bar Hop—an event that gave community members a chance to shop and supported small businesses.

Owner Kristin Griffith and Big Grove manager Jack Davis said the market helped vendors showcase unique items and grow their businesses.

Fire crews from several cities battled a large blaze at the Moose Lodge in Newton late Sunday night—no cause was known and no injuries were reported while nearby Car Country Auto Salvage cleared an area near the fence line to stop the fire from spreading.

A Des Moines man, Cedrick Thomas Jr., was sentenced to life in prison without parole after a bench trial in January found him guilty of first-degree murder for his role in a 2022 drug deal robbery that led to Charles Lovelady’s death at a hospital—he must also pay $150,000 in restitution while his accomplices received sentences of up to five and 35 years respectively.

Central Iowa students from the Dallas Center-Grimes 11-2 Concert Band and Johnston High School Wind Symphony performed an original piece at Johnston High School Sunday afternoon to honor band director Jason Heeren’s daughter, who died from cancer nearly three years ago.

The Heeren family also started the Anna Heeren Memorial Foundation through the Des Moines Community Foundation to support causes important to Anna and help families facing similar diagnoses.

Iowa farmers who grew up during the 1980s farm crisis have learned to farm more carefully with smart money choices.

USDA census data shows nearly 10,000 farms closed from 1997 to 2022, marking a 10.1 percent drop in Iowa farm numbers.

Johnston High School seniors celebrated their prom on April 12th at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines—students danced and posed for photos during the evening.

Tonight, the Iowa DOT will close Hickman Road and its ramps at 9 p.m. and northbound I-80/35 at 10 p.m. near the interchange as crews work until early morning while drivers follow marked detour routes from NW Urbandale Drive to Valley West Drive and exit the western mixmaster to use I-235. On April 21, the agency will close the Hickman Road on- and off-ramps for 120 days — work that is expected to finish mid-August.

Iowa State University was awarded more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to perform six research projects aimed at preventing and combating animal disease outbreaks—part of a $15.3 million APHIS effort for livestock health.

The projects will develop online training and resources for producers and animal health workers while enhancing biosecurity protocols ahead of further disease challenges.

New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness

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

Toddler Tales: Rabbits

3:00 – 3:30 p.m. — Easter Lake Event Center — Free entry — Engage your toddler's imagination with a delightful nature-themed story about rabbits followed by fun activities.

Des Moines Career Fair

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Des Moines Marriott Downtown — Registration needed — Connect with top employers in various fields and boost your career prospects.

Trivia Night at Exile Brewing

6-8 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — $4.50 pints during happy hour — Test your knowledge with Trophy Husband Trivia while enjoying great brews.

First Friday Art Open House

5-8 p.m. — Mainframe Studios — Free entry — Explore 181 artist studios, enjoy themed festivities, and support local creatives during this monthly open house.

Pajama Party Yoga

10-11 a.m. — Surety Hotel — Donation-based class — Unwind with yoga, live DJ music, and complimentary mini massages in a cozy atmosphere.

Taps & Tags Music Night

7:30-10 p.m. — Westown Tap Bar and Restaurant — Free entry — A lively social evening for singers and music lovers to showcase their talent and enjoy live performances.

Korean Mythology Escape Room

6:30-7:15 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Registration required — Outwit ancient myths and recover missing artifacts in an engaging escape room experience.

Low School Group Traffic

All day — Science Center of Iowa — Standard admission — Enjoy a quieter visit at the Science Center with minimal school group traffic expected.

CPCU Society and RISE Professionals Joint Event

3:30-5:30 p.m. — Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company — Contact for tickets — Network with insurance professionals and enjoy drinks and appetizers while learning about career resources.

Freedom in Freeform

4-5:30 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — A welcoming stage for local poets to share their original works and celebrate the passion of poetry.