Good morning, Des Moines.

Ava Ford, a 17-year-old from Packwood and member of the Pekin Community School District class of 2025, died when her Toyota Camry crossed the center line and collided head-on with a Dodge Ram driven by a 40-year-old Missouri man at 7:30 a.m. Thursday in Jefferson County—authorities said the crash is under investigation and that the driver was airlifted to an Iowa City hospital.

Officers fatally shot fugitive Vonderrick Rayford after he fired at them during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 on April 15 at 1:30 a.m., and the Iowa Attorney General ruled the use of deadly force was legally justified (with teams from Dallas, Adel and Adair Counties involved).

Iowa’s 3rd District Rep. Zach Nunn is asking for a bill that will secure SNAP funds and reimburse victims when thieves steal their benefits, as outdated magnetic swipe cards have led to several cases this month.

The plan will have the USDA handle fraud checks — a change meant to ease getting money back until states use safer chip cards — and aims to protect those who depend on SNAP.

State Treasurer Roby Smith celebrated the changes to the ISave 529 educational savings plan on May 29th, noting that the plan now allows a tax deduction up to ($5,800 per individual) and lets account holders pay for K to 12 tuition, apprenticeship, trade school, or student loan repayment. He added that users can choose an investment mix based on their risk and start with as little as ($25) while later transferring any leftover funds into a Roth IRA after 15 years.

New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness

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

Yubu Band Live Performance

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm — Annie's Irish Pub — Free entry — Enjoy an afternoon of live music from the Yubu Band at this local favorite pub.

Summer Music Series: Forrest McCurren

5:00-7:30 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — All-day happy hour with $4.50 pints — Enjoy live music, cold beer, and patio vibes.

Writers' Workshop 2025

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — No registration required — Share your work and receive valuable feedback from fellow writers.

World Pork Expo 2025

June 3-5 — Iowa State Fairgrounds — Registration required — Explore exhibits and seminars at this major gathering for pork industry enthusiasts.

Baby Rhyme Time

9:30-10 a.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Engage your little ones with rhymes, songs, and playful activities.

Nurse Camp 1.0

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Iowa Methodist Medical Center — $75 (scholarships available) — Explore the world of nursing through fun, interactive activities for young students.

First Friday Open House at Mainframe Art Studios

5-8 p.m. — Mainframe Studios — Free entry — Explore artist studios, enjoy food and drinks, and support local creatives at this themed open house.

Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration

10 a.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Celebrate the start of summer with fun activities, face painting, and summer reading registration for youth of all ages.

Summer Music Series: Eliana Franzenburg

5-7:30 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — All-day happy hour with $4.50 pints — Enjoy live music and great patio vibes.

Summer Skate Day Camp

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. — Lauridsen Skatepark — $185.00 — Experience a week of skateboarding skills and fun at the popular Summer Skate Day Camp.