Daily
Des Moines
Thursday, November 27th, 2025
Good morning, Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 27th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Families and friends greeted arriving loved ones on Wednesday at Des Moines International Airport as they reunited for Thanksgiving. The busiest days will be Sunday and Monday when travelers depart after the holiday—marking a busy travel period for the community—while plans for smooth rides continue. WHO 13
- ➤ Nearly 2,000 Iowa families are missing loved ones as 1,800 National Guard troops are deployed to the Middle East for a yearlong mission this holiday season. The Iowa National Guard’s Warrior and Family Services Branch (led by Lt. Col. Ryan Sextro) offers counseling and support to help ease the worry of these families. KCCI
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Central Iowa businesses invite residents to support family-owned operations by shopping at Canoyer Garden Center in Grimes on Small Business Saturday. The garden center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday—offering unique gifts and handmade items from local vendors. KCCI
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Triple Espresso returns to Des Moines at the newly renovated Temple Theatre, offering a nostalgic live comedy experience that recalls its 68-week run in 2002. The show will have its final performance on Dec. 7 — a farewell event that brings back cherished local memories. KCCI
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Des Moines Public Schools reported 566 students lack stable housing and families living in cars or temporary setups tripled since last year—raising fears about future mental health issues. Lyn Williams, the district’s homeless liaison, said a full interview on the impact will air Sunday at 10:30 a.m.—providing more details. KCCI
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ State officials say winter weather and heavy holiday travel are testing Iowa roads this week—thousands are altering plans as a significant snowfall is forecast and law enforcement increases patrols. Officials hope to keep traffic fatalities below 300 while citing a decline since the new hands-free law took effect in July—248 traffic deaths were reported in 2025 so far. WHO 13
- ➤ Travelers at Des Moines International Airport can expect smoother Thanksgiving travel with upgraded TSA technology and new food packing guidelines. TSA—public affairs specialist Jessica Mayle—said keeping shoes on and packing soft items like cranberry sauce in checked bags will help speed up screening as winter weather may delay some flights. KCCI
- ➤ Des Moines public works crews are preparing for the first snowstorm of the season by stockpiling supplies and urging drivers to stay off the roads once snow begins Friday night; the city has over 15,000 tons of salt, 40,000 gallons of brine, and 20,000 gallons of liquid calcium chloride available. Holiday shoppers are stocking up on Thanksgiving items as officials warn that travel may become dangerous when the heavy snowfall hits Saturday morning—residents should check social media for real-time updates. KCCI
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Des Moines resident Ethan Kouri, who has battled acute myeloid leukemia for five years and felt better after receiving blood, now suffers from a severe platelet shortage—his family is hosting a blood drive with Lifeserve that will be held Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sunshine Open Bible Church to urge Iowans to donate. KCCI
- ➤ Dowling Catholic senior Lauren McCoy—who recovered from Guillain-Barré syndrome after a 40-day hospital stay—expressed gratitude to Blank Children’s Hospital by decorating a tree at last weekend’s Festival of Trees and Lights and now plans to study human physiology at the University of Iowa. KCCI
- ➤ A Fort Dodge resident was awarded nearly $20 million after a jury found a Mayo Clinic surgeon left diseased tissue during her 2018 operation—forcing her to undergo three more surgeries and suffer chronic pain. KCCI
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Today, the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Dallas Cowboys at 3:30 p.m. in a game shown on KCCI — the contest is played at a stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Iowa Hawkeyes will play Nebraska Friday at 11 a.m. — pre-game coverage starts at 10 a.m. on KCCI. 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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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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Holiday Movie Night
5:30-8:00 p.m. — Science Center of Iowa — $2 for kids, $3 for adults — Enjoy a festive screening of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' with free snacks and goody bags.
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Disenchanted! The Hit Musical Comedy
7-9 p.m. — Temple Theater — Tickets available — Experience a hilarious twist on classic fairy tales with Snow White and her disenchanted princesses.
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Python for Scientists Training/Class
N/A — Mon, Dec 8 – Fri, Dec 12 — Health Tech Associates — $2250 — Enhance your Python skills in a specialized training designed for scientists.
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DNA Holiday Party
5:30-7 p.m. — The Royal Mile — Free entry — Cozy up with neighbors for a festive evening celebration.
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