Good morning, Des Moines.

Animal Rescue League of Iowa rescued more than 100 dogs from a Plymouth County property on Tuesday, Sept.

23—staff treated the dogs on site to help them recover.

Friends and loved ones gathered at Des Moines East High School’s baseball field for a candlelight vigil to honor 15-year-old Santiago Rhone—killed when a motorcycle hit him while he crossed the street on Saturday night and remembered through a home plate memorial and balloon release showing his jersey numbers.

A crash occurred on I-80 near Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines at around 6:20 a.m. September 24th, slowing inbound traffic for commuters headed toward the West Mixmaster—first responders blocked the right lane.

Nearly 12,000 DMPS students in grades seven through twelve will soon use their school IDs as library cards to access 416,000 resources at the Des Moines Public Library—an expedited process that bypasses the usual sign-up steps.

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa education officials held a news conference on education at the Iowa State Capitol on Sept 24th in Des Moines — the event included remarks from Davenport Community Schools and PK-12 learning division leaders.

None of Iowa's colleges ranked in the top 100 of U.S. News Best Colleges 2026 list—University of Iowa fell from 98th to 102nd while Iowa State climbed to 117th—and Grinnell College stayed the top liberal arts school in the state.

Iowa law does not forbid riding in a truck bed but local ordinances in Des Moines, Davenport and Scott County ban it—violators face fines while many central counties impose no restrictions.

Gov. Kim Reynolds set a special election for Tuesday, Dec.

9 to fill the vacant Iowa House seat left by Mike Sexton—who resigned on Sept. 19 to serve as state director for USDA Rural Development—and the winner will serve the rest of his term until January 2027.

UnityPoint Health nurses in Des Moines met on Wednesday to build support for a union vote set for October 5—7 as they face concerns over pay cuts, unsafe conditions, and worker shortages.

The nurses working with Teamsters Local 90 say management has spent millions to discourage unionizing.

A new community land trust launched by HOME Inc is set to lower home costs by building and acquiring properties that low-income families buy while the trust keeps ownership of the land—Polk County, Des Moines, and West Des Moines have contributed $125,000 to launch the project.

The trust will also manage maintenance and assist homeowners in planning their finances using a shared equity model.

New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness

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

Ballet Des Moines: Forward

7-8:30 p.m. — Hoyt Sherman Place — Tickets start at $35 — Experience a contemporary ballet exploring evolution in art, emotion, and community.

Panda Bear Concert

7:00–8:30 p.m. — Wooly's — Tickets from $50 — Experience the soothing sounds of Panda Bear live in Des Moines.

Summer Music Series: Brian Herrin at Exile Brewing

5-7:30 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — $4.50 pints — Enjoy live music and patio vibes during the Summer Music Series.

Weekly Art Nights with Art is Rad

6-8 p.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — $10 per artist — Unleash your creativity with hands-on art activities every Monday night.

K-pop Fan Gathering

5-6 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Meet fellow K-pop enthusiasts and enjoy trading photocards while snacking and listening to music.

Impact-First Product Teams with Matt LeMay

4:30-6:00 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — Free entry — Explore how to foster honest communication in your product organization for better outcomes.

Agile + DevOpsDays Des Moines 2025

8 AM – 4 PM — Community Choice Convention Center — Registration required — Immerse yourself in the latest tech trends and network with industry leaders at this premier conference.

First Friday at Mainframe Studios

5-8 p.m. — Mainframe Studios — Free entry — Experience diverse pen and ink artworks and engage in hands-on zine creation at this community celebration of creativity.

Dog Day Guided Tour at Pappajohn Sculpture Park

11 a.m. — Pappajohn Sculpture Park — Free entry — Enjoy a scenic guided tour of the sculpture park with your leashed dog in celebration of National Walk Your Dog Week.

Surety Hotel Autumnal Artisan Market

1-5 p.m. — Surety Hotel, Autograph Collection — $100.00 — Celebrate local art and culture with a variety of artisan vendors.