Good morning, Des Moines.

Direct Empowerment Iowa Alliance will host a food and supply drive in Clive on Saturday, Oct.

3, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Progressive Community Network parking lot on Hickman Road to collect non-perishable food, hygiene products, and first aid items for local families in need.

More than 60 Iowa lawmakers and candidates volunteered at Feeding America food banks on Hunger Action Day, with some working at the Food Bank of Iowa in Des Moines.

The effort aims to highlight food insecurity & encourage support for hunger solutions.

Peggy Whitson, an Iowa space hero, was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Washington D.C. over the weekend.

She still holds the record for time in space at 695 days — a milestone earned over three long-duration missions.

Chad Donahue, a welding teacher at Des Moines Public Schools, has been named best skilled trades teacher after receiving the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize this week.

He credits his award to his students (key contributors) and the district (for their support) for this honor.

National Weather Service meteorologist Elliott Morrow says 61 counties in western and central Iowa will be under flood watch tonight with 2-4 inches of rain and local amounts expected until late Thursday as Hurricane Polo’s remnants fuel heavy showers; rain ends by late Thursday with dry weather over the weekend.

Residents are advised to inspect windows, downspouts, and sump pump backups before heavy rains that may cause basement flooding; the city also offers a Private Property Protection Program (up to $1,500 reimbursement) for eligible flood prevention improvements.

Homeowners should use licensed plumbers before the weather arrives.

On Monday, Sept. 28, DART expanded its on-demand ride service to Altoona, Clive and Urbandale, adding to fixed routes to serve growing communities.

The service runs (6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays) and costs $3.50 per trip.

Gov. Reynolds has called a special session on Friday, Oct.

2 to update Iowa’s MEGA program for Mesabi Metallics’ $15 billion steel plant+ state officials expect job growth while final terms remain under review.

FEMA approved over $28 million for storm recovery in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska this fall; local projects include over $10 million for historic repairs at Cornell College in Mount Vernon + more than $3.8 million for building repairs in Rock Valley.

Gov. Kim Reynolds will call a special session on Friday, Oct.

2 for the Iowa Legislature to pass tax incentives for a $15 billion steel plant in southeast Iowa. The session aims to boost economic growth using adjustments to the MEGA program (which offers tax credits for large investments).

Polk County Health Department could lose about $150,000 as Iowa regionalizes public health services, with supervisors approving its lead agency application for Region 5 on Sept.

22. The new model will start in July 2027 and impose a 15% funding cut that may limit essential programs.

University of Iowa researchers found that risk factors like smoking, binge drinking and obesity account for 76% of increased rates for five cancers, and State Medical Director Robert Kruse said lifestyle changes, screenings and radon mitigation can help lower risks.

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