Good morning, Des Moines.

The city is hosting its first Mega Scrub event of 2025 at Merle Hay Mall from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday—residents can safely drop off hazardous chemicals such as batteries, gasoline, pool cleaners and electronic waste.

The Pella Police asked the public to help find two missing girls, 13-year-old Caitlin and 12-year-old Luthian, who were last seen together near Pella Middle School around 6:45 p.m. Sunday.

The family of traveling nurse Shannon Billheimer is suing Woodward Resource Center for alleged whistleblower retaliation—emotional distress and wrongful death—after she was fired following her report of abuse and died by suicide the next day.

They claim Billheimer witnessed an employee hit a resident several times in 2023 but was let go after her concerns were raised.

Rogue Planet Music in Des Moines is a record store that cleans vinyl and repairs vintage audio equipment—owners Jesse Pace and John Pope use a record-cleaning machine and repair old turntables and amplifiers so family heirlooms sound their best.

The shop also builds custom hifi speaker systems and sources rare records from estate sales to keep analog sound alive.

High school prom photo galleries now show students dancing on April 5 and April 12 at venues in the Des Moines metro such as the Denny Elwell Food Center, Hilton Garden Inn, and Community Choice Convention Center.

New galleries will be added each weekend—giving local readers more views of the celebrations.

Parents in Des Moines are calling for a change in how school abuse cases are reviewed after the Petek family filed a complaint in 2023 against the Urbandale School District when teacher Amanda Delzell was fired for reporting suspected abuse—local lawmakers now consider a bill to shift these investigations to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The bill passed the House unanimously, but cost concerns may delay its progress in the Senate.

Health officials in Des Moines are preparing for a measles outbreak as Iowa’s vaccination rates fall below herd immunity—putting communities at risk even though no cases have been reported yet.

The Polk County Health Department and local providers are updating clinic procedures and educating residents to quickly respond if cases emerge.

WHO 13 will preview NFL Draft Day as NFL scouts track standout seasons from Iowa college athletes; Justin Surrency and Adriana Torres will outline key performances ahead of the NFL Draft at historic Lambeau Field on April 24th.

New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness

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

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.

Bluegrass Matinee at Exile Brewing

11 AM - 1 PM — Exile Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy live bluegrass music from Stringfield in a vibrant beer hall atmosphere.