Daily
Des Moines
Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
Good morning, Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 2nd of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Downtown Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health announced that its October hours will shift to 8 a.m. — Noon for the next four Saturdays so vendors can better prepare their stands. The Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market will celebrate 20 seasons with indoor shopping from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23 at the Iowa Events Center. Downtown Des Moines
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ On Oct 1 at around 7 a.m., the Des Moines Police Department responded to a broadside crash at the intersection of E 14th Street and I-235 as morning traffic picked up. Officials said drivers should watch for first responders + expect delays, and no injuries were yet confirmed. KCCI
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Today, Popeyes is suing franchisee Asif Poonja and his companies for running five Iowa restaurants—two in the Corridor—even after their licenses were revoked for not meeting food safety and brand standards. The lawsuit asks the court to bar Poonja from operating any Popeyes within 10 miles for two years. The Gazette
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was arrested by ICE Friday at 9 a.m.—he was placed on leave the next day, had his administrator license revoked on Sept. 28, and resigned on Sept. 30 after the school board demanded he clarify his citizenship. The Des Moines Register
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Socorro Martinez is the new Executive Director of the Latina Leadership Initiative and will work to empower Latina women in Central Iowa—she brings strong skills in program development and event coordination from her past experience leading community projects. WHO 13
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A survey of supply managers in Iowa and eight Midwestern states showed that retaliatory tariffs hurt factories and farms as the manufacturing sector lost 3,800 jobs and farmers saw soybean prices drop to one-third of last fall’s rate (China stopped buying U.S. soybeans since May). Creighton University economist Ernie Goss explained that slower imports and exports and rising wholesale prices added more pressure on the region’s economy (total manufacturing exports fell from 9.3 billion to 8.4 billion in the first seven months). Radio Iowa
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Iowa law requires all school buildings to be tested for radon by July 1, 2027 under the Gail Orcutt Radon School Safety Act—151 school districts have begun or plan to test, though fewer than half have posted results online. State agencies do not check for compliance and lawmakers will introduce new rules to extend testing to private schools—actions meant to protect students and staff from health risks. Iowa Public Radio
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Iowa DOT said eastbound I-80 in West Des Moines will close at 8:30 p.m. tonight for construction — the road between Grand Prairie Parkway and the Southwest Mixmaster — and will reopen at 5 a.m. Friday as drivers follow a marked detour via Grand Prairie Parkway and University Avenue. KCCI
- ➤ A bipartisan group including property management executive Chris Costa is pushing Iowa lawmakers to update the towing law because weak rules let companies take vehicles quickly and charge high fees. The push follows investigations that showed these lax laws allow tow companies to profit from unclaimed auctions—sparking worries about consumer protection. The Des Moines Register
- ➤ Iowans flying today are told to arrive at Des Moines International Airport 90 minutes early since a federal government shutdown that began at midnight might cause longer security lines and some flight delays—although officials report normal staffing and air traffic control so far. A minor malfunction in the TSA baggage system caused a slight delay, and officials are monitoring the situation closely. Radio Iowa
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ An Iowa inspection of Azria Health Park Place in Des Moines in early September found free roaming rodents, leaking ceilings, flooding, roaches and other hazards that put 59 residents at risk; on Sept. 3 the facility halted in-house food service while staff began cleaning + addressing long call-light delays. The new administrator said recent roof repairs and planned improvements will help raise the home’s one-star Medicare rating. The Des Moines Register
- ➤ Flu season is nearly here as cases are expected to rise from November to February—Dr. Hartman of UnityPoint Health advises washing your hands, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, not sharing food or drink, and talking to your doctor about the new flu vaccine since it takes two weeks to offer full protection. 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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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.
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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.
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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.
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Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Wooly's — Tickets starting at $49 — Experience a lively night of music with Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners.
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Michael Blaustein Stand-Up Comedy Show
7:30-9 p.m. — Hoyt Sherman Place — Tickets start at $34 — Experience the laughs of one of the fastest rising stand-up comedians with viral success.
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Skizzy Mars Live Concert
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Wooly's — $50-$202 — Experience the energetic sounds of Skizzy Mars in a vibrant setting.
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The Goonies in Concert
3:30-5:00 p.m. — Des Moines Civic Center — $28-68 — Celebrate 40 years of adventure with a live symphonic performance of the iconic film's score.
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Evil Dead In Concert - A Live To Film Experience
7:00 – 8:30 PM — Hoyt Sherman Place — Tickets starting at $9 — Experience the cult classic film with a live concert performance.
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Saxsquatch Live Performance
7-8:30 p.m. — Wooly's — $27.49 — Experience the mind-bending sounds of electronic music artist Saxsquatch adorned with a spectacular live show.
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