Good morning, Des Moines.

Urbandale Food Pantry reopened today after a two-week closure for upgrades that expanded the parking lot from 30 to 44 spaces and improved safety with added features, including a light pole.

Regular visitors welcomed the improvements while the pantry continues its food rescue work until 6:30 p.m.

Crews are cleaning up the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines after a record-setting fair that hosted over 1.2 million people & are preparing for a busy September of events.

The grounds should be restored by the end of September.

The non-profit Joppa will break ground at 2 p.m. Sept.

3 for its new tiny home village on Maury Street, which will include 54 homes for those in need and staff; registration is required for this free event.

Peter Clowney, formerly COO at Nebraska Public Media, will assume the role of CEO at Iowa Public Radio on Sept.

28 — succeeding Myrna Johnson. He brings three decades of leadership experience from NPR, American Public Media, and Gimlet.

A celebrated 1977 interview from the Mary Brubaker Show shows Dolly Parton discussing aging and writing—recorded when she was 31—as she was remembered following her death Tuesday after a brief battle with cancer at 80.

On Aug. 23, mothers and daughters took part in a look-a-like contest at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, with judges evaluating their matching styles.

The event celebrated family creativity and community spirit.

Iowa farmers and business leaders are monitoring escalating trade tensions with Canada that now target farm equipment and agricultural machinery – raising concerns that broader sectors like corn and ethanol could soon be affected.

Johnston Community School District has added about 10 special education associate openings due to late student enrollment, which will support behavior plans, medical care and personal needs for around 1,000 students with individualized programs.

Applications are now being accepted for positions in the upcoming school year.

West Des Moines Community Schools will launch the Tiger Cubs preschool program for 3-year-olds on Aug.

31 at Jordan Creek Elementary + Crestview School of Inquiry. Classes meet four mornings a week at $450 per month with reduced rates for qualifying families.

At a West Des Moines School Board meeting, community members and educators discussed concerns about a rainbow flag in a Jordan Creek Elementary classroom.

Fathers for Faith & Freedom called for an investigation, while teacher Colton Hemer-Luebbert said the flag was simply decorative.

Des Moines City Council approved a six-month pilot program to offer 12 biometric lockers at St. Vincent de Paul's near north site (1426 Sixth Ave) for homeless residents to store belongings securely.

The program may start in October, with St. Vincent de Paul tracking locker use for potential expansion.

On Aug. 25, a water main break in Beaverdale closed Douglas Avenue (50th to Sherman) and forced schools like Cowles Elementary and Hoover High to shut early due to a lack of water and working bathrooms, with police advising Urbandale Avenue as an alternate route.

West Des Moines is updating Grand Avenue to widen lanes and add pedestrian crossings until November, affecting drop-off and pick-up routes for Sacred Heart School and Stilwell Junior High.

Drivers must use detours from 16th Street — a change aimed at improving safety — to reach the schools.

The Des Moines City Council approved using the 5th and Walnut parking garage roof for the final Streetstyle Open contest on September 26.

Skaters from across the country will compete as the event kicks off on September 24.

New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness

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