Daily
Des Moines
Friday, September 19th, 2025
Good morning, Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 19th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Maurer family is hosting the Wheelin’ for Healin’ bike ride on Saturday, September 20 to raise money for Tori’s Angels Foundation to help families with kids facing life-threatening illnesses—registration starts at 10:00 a.m. at Confluence Brewing and the ride will follow the Carl Voss Trail with stops at Single Speed Brewery and Easter Lake. WHO 13
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Adventurland will host Phantom Fall Fest tomorrow—America's largest Halloween event—with the new Spell Keeper haunted house debuting at the park. The fest will offer special effects, spooky food and over a dozen scare actors until Sunday, October 26th. WHO 13
- ➤ Des Moines' first official Oktoberfest celebration kicks off today at Water Works Park with a Golden Keg Bicycle Ride starting at 6:00 p.m. from the Iowa State Capitol and Mayor Connie Boesen tapping the Golden Keg at 6:30 p.m.—the event will run through Sunday while supporting the Water Works Park Foundation. WHO 13
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Iowa soybean farmers are facing tough market challenges as Chinese buyers have shifted to South American soybeans despite a USDA forecast of a near record crop — state officials returned from a trade mission in India, and ongoing U.S.-China talks may soon open new export routes. Radio Iowa
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Attorneys for three environmental groups urged Iowa officials to adopt tougher water quality rules following a public hearing this morning—warning that current standards monitor only 50 toxins instead of the 94 recommended. They stressed that Iowa’s high cancer rate may be linked to these weak standards and called for revised regulations to better protect both health and the environment. Radio Iowa
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Des Moines resident Carol Whitmore became the first woman and first Iowan to lead the Veterans of Foreign Wars when she was elected on Aug. 13 at the 126th VFW National Convention in Columbus, Ohio—more than 200 people will celebrate her election at a formal homecoming event later this month in downtown Des Moines. The Des Moines Register
- ➤ On Tuesday, about 30 protesters gathered outside the Iowa Department for the Blind in Des Moines to oppose changes to a 60-year-old training program that now recommends rather than requires sleepshades, with critics saying new leader Stacy Cervenka—appointed by Gov. Reynolds—has silenced employee concerns. The Gazette
- ➤ Construction continues on Interstate 80/35 near Douglas Avenue and Hickman Road in Urbandale, with phase one expected to finish by mid-December—minimal traffic impact is predicted. Future phases in spring 2026 and spring 2027 will widen the highway and add a diverging diamond intersection—final work is set to finish in 2028. WHO 13
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Marshall County officials reported that a Legionella outbreak led to 69 cases – with one death – and the AGWSR school district postponed its field trip to Marshalltown while they investigated a suspected cooling tower as the source; health experts said people with pneumonia-like signs should get help. KCCI
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Iowa native Shelby Houlihan returned to track after a four-year doping ban—known as the Burrito Ban—when she raced in the 5,000 meters at Japan’s National Stadium on Sept. 18. She said she aims to regain her form and break records while making up for lost time. WHO 13
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New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness
This FUNctional fitness class will increase your strength for everyday living!!
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Kid-Friendly Brewery Tour at Exile Brewing
11:00-11:45 a.m. — Exile Brewing Company — Free entry — Explore the science behind brewing with fun machinery and hands-on activities for kids.
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2025 Peace Day International Festival
10 AM – 3 PM — Mainframe Studios — Free entry — Celebrate global peace with food, dance, and cultural activities at this vibrant festival.
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