Daily
Des Moines
Thursday, November 20th, 2025
Good morning, Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 20th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Julie Marks is finishing her Candy Cane Lane holiday light display on Ashby Avenue, which will open Dec. 3 to raise funds for the Food Bank of Iowa — a project that has raised $100,700 since 2020. She hopes to exceed last year’s $27,000 in donations as food pantries now distribute 60% more food daily. KCCI
- ➤ Riverside Bridge Park opened three weeks ago just south of Principal Park on 1st Street to serve cyclists and pedestrians with concrete benches and green spaces. Phase two will add app-controlled fluorescent lighting—bringing a new ambient feel at night. WHO 13
- ➤ Polk County Board of Supervisors approved $200,000 for Creative Visions violence interruption program—aimed at reducing gun violence on Des Moines north side amid city funding cuts—and the program now works with local schools and community groups to support at-risk teens. The funding boost strengthens efforts to keep neighborhoods safe. The Des Moines Register
- ➤ Canedo Events will host two vendor fairs featuring over 160 booths of crafts, boutiques and Christmas gifts to boost holiday shopping. The Ankeny show will be held November 28 and 29 at Prairie Trail Sports Complex + the Clive event will take place on December 6 at Horizon Event Center. WHO 13
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Iowans are warned to be alert for scam calls during the busy holiday season — phone scammers using smart technology have raised their calls, especially those linked to health insurance open enrollment and IRS tax scams. Nomorobo’s general manager — Matt Mizenko — said scam calls in Iowa increased 50% above the national average in recent weeks. Radio Iowa
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A new study showed that last year's Iowa State Fair brought in nearly $480 million for Iowa, outpacing the NCAA Final Four in revenue. State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons said the fair’s 11-day run boosted local hotel stays and jobs, with an overall year-round impact of $629.2 million in 2024 (including 81,400 hotel room nights, 4,880 jobs, $211.9 million in wages, and a $17 million state fiscal impact). KCCI
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Iowa's senior senator Chuck Grassley reached 1 million followers on X on November 18th by sharing three memorable tweets, including one about hitting a deer on hiway 136, a Dairy Queen visit, and finding a dead pigeon on his farm. He said he hopes to reach 2 million followers soon—showing that he listens to his voters through his unique posts. The Des Moines Register
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ EveryStep's bereavement counselors are offering guidance to families coping with grief during the holiday season in Iowa by emphasizing self-care and hosting support groups for adults, teens, and children — a service designed to ease the pain of missing loved ones. Counselor Denise Nahnsen said families may choose to skip holiday traditions if the loss feels too raw — a decision that helps them heal at their own pace. KCCI
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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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Downtown Winter Farmers' Market
10 AM – 2 PM — EMC Expo Center — Free entry — Explore local holiday food and gifts while enjoying live entertainment and supporting small businesses.
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Winter Storytime with The Grinch
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Meet The Grinch and enjoy a reading of his classic tale along with a fun holiday activity.
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Turkey Trails Thanksgiving Run
9 AM - 12 PM — Gray's Lake Park — $25.98 — Participate in a Thanksgiving-themed 5k/10k run complete with custom swag and family fun.
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Baby Rhyme Time
9:30-10:00 a.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Enjoy rhymes, songs, and stories while bonding with your baby in a playful setting.
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Open Studio Holiday Shopping
11 AM – 3 PM — Mainframe Studios — Free entry — Shop for unique art pieces and discover local talent in a festive atmosphere.
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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 for all ages and skill levels.
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Monthly Writing Night at Smokey Row
7-9 p.m. — Smokey Row Coffee — Free entry — A relaxed evening for writers to create together or explore new ideas with prompts.
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Christmas With The Celts
7:30-9 p.m. — Hoyt Sherman Place — $29.50-$69.50 — Experience a lively blend of Irish traditions and contemporary Christmas music with humor and dance.
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Central College Dance Team Championship
6:00 PM — Casey's Center — Free entry — Witness the Central College Dance team compete against ISTDA State in an exciting showcase of talent.
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Freedom in Freeform Poetry Showcase
4-5:30 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — A vibrant space for poets to share their original works and celebrate the art of poetry.
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