Good morning, Des Moines.

Crème, a cupcake bakery on Ingersoll Avenue, held an Earth Day celebration event Sunday afternoon where local vendors set up booths with vintage clothing, hemp products + live painting.

Owner Sammy Mila said the event gave her team a chance to mix sweet and savory treats, including pizza cupcakes, and bring the community together.

University of Iowa law professor Josephine Gittler started the Alliance for Civic Education of Iowa to help young people learn about American government — she said many students do not know basic facts.

She lobbied last week for a bill that will make passing the U.S. Citizenship test a high school graduation requirement — the bill passed in both chambers and is expected to be signed by the governor.

At its meeting on April 7, Des Moines City Council voted to table changes to its conflict of interest policy because members had more urgent issues like homelessness and DART.

All council members agreed that the current rules work well and will revisit the matter later — no changes will happen for now.

The Iowa Supreme Court removed Fayette County magistrate David J.

Hanson from the bench—he is not allowed to handle sexual assault cases after using a racially offensive slur, and his removal will take effect in 10 days unless he resigns.

The Iowa Environmental Council and Harkin Institute announced an initiative to study environmental risk factors and their link to Iowa's high cancer rates — the project will review academic research, host 15 listening tours, and issue a public report plus journal article over the coming months. This effort seeks to document community experiences while examining how pollutants like nitrate may contribute to cancer rates.

The 2025 Drake Relays began Saturday and continue through April 26 — a busy week in Des Moines featuring Griff ll’s pet food drive ending today, a street painting event on Painted Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Beautiful Bulldog Contest at Knapp Center at 6 p.m. Additional events include the Grand Blue Mile at Western Gateway Park, a shot put contest at Drake Fieldhouse, and track and field competitions at Drake Stadium — offering a wide range of sports and community activities for all ages.

New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness

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

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.

Soul Sunday with Gospel Artists

3 PM — Noce — Food and drinks available for purchase — Experience uplifting gospel music alongside a soul food inspired brunch.

3D Printer Training Class

5-6 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free registration — Master 3D printing with hands-on training on top-of-the-line printers and software.

Open Mic Night

6-9 p.m. — Fireside Grille — 2-for-1 Pasta Night with Happy Hour — Showcase your talent with comedy, music, and more at a vibrant venue.

After School Adventures - May Baskets

3:45-4:30 p.m. — West Des Moines Public Library — Registration required — Create festive paper May baskets to celebrate spring fun.

The Fail Forward Event Spring 2025

4:30-7:30 p.m. — Bash Events & Catering — Snacks and first drink included — Celebrate learning from mistakes with inspiring speakers and engaging discussions.