Good morning, Des Moines.

In Urbandale, James Townsend encouraged his 5-year-old son Azariah to tackle a weight stacking challenge at a local gym.

The young boy pushed past his nerves & impressed online viewers, reminding parents to guide children through small, brave acts.

Nearly one million meals were packaged by 1,000+ volunteers during the World Food Prize’s 40th anniversary event on Oct.

22 at the Iowa Events Center, as half the meals stayed in the Midwest while the rest were sent abroad, organizers said.

Iowans are busy picking costumes — with trends like KPop Demon Hunters and classic cowboys leading the way at Theatrical Shop in West Des Moines, which sees many customers renting accessories ahead of trick-or-treat night next weekend.

The Italian American Cultural Center opened on Friday, Oct.

16 at the historic Butler Mansion Campus on Fleur Drive and now welcomes visitors to explore exhibits that celebrate Italian American heritage.

Snap Finance agreed to cancel nearly $2.4 million in consumer debt in Iowa as part of a $662 million multistate settlement—announced on Oct.

21—to address misleading business practices. The deal will also include a $250,000 payment to Iowa to support consumer education, according to AG Brenna Bird.

Iowa DOT will close the ramp from westbound I-80 to westbound I-235 at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct.

23 for bridge work over Northeast Broadway Avenue + drivers are directed to detour along I-80 to US 69/NE 14th Street and then east on I-80/I-35 until 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26.

More than 87,000 Iowans face Medicare plan cancellations for 2027 & must choose new coverage by Dec.

31 to avoid a gap in benefits.

UnityPoint Health will receive $500K in federal rural health funding over two years to boost telehealth for maternity care—including training sonographers for high-risk scans—in a bid to lower infant mortality in rural areas.

The program currently operates in Fort Dodge and will expand soon.

Pella Community Ambulance earned statewide EMS honors as the 2026 Iowa EMS Service of the Year and its critical-care paramedic Adam Novak was named EMS Instructor of the Year; both awards will be presented next month at the Iowa EMS Association Conference in Des Moines.

New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness

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

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