Daily
Des Moines
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
Good morning, Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 3rd of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Tow truck drivers have continued clearing vehicles stuck in snowbanks from the Thanksgiving weekend storm, and Perry's Service reported longer response times due to dangerous roadside conditions—drivers now face frigid temperatures as calls for jump-starts increase with cold weather expected Thursday. The company urged motorists to slow down and move over to protect drivers and keep roads safer. KCCI
- ➤ Today, Hy-Vee and local first responders are giving away 300 free hams at the Iowa State Fairgrounds from noon to 2 p.m. Drivers must enter at Gate 2 off East University Avenue while supplies last + the event is part of a larger regional effort to support families facing food insecurity. KCCI
- ➤ KCCI and the Food Bank of Iowa held the sixth annual Hunger-Free Holidays telethon on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, to fight hunger among Iowans—last year's event raised $439,829 to provide over 733,000 meals and donations made through Dec. 31 will be doubled to boost impact. KCCI
- ➤ On December 2, the Iowa Food Bank Association appointed Katie Sorrell as its new leader, and she will guide the group’s food programs — she worked as a dietitian at Iowa State University, University of California-San Diego and the Iowa Department of Public Health — according to President Kim Guardado. KCCI
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Starting in January, the Iowa Lottery will contract Scientific Games to print scratch tickets and share the risk—earning a bonus if sales targets are met and incurring a penalty if not; the Lottery will still approve the ticket designs and manage a portfolio that sees scratch tickets make up 23% of sales. This new approach follows a competitive bidding process that aims to leverage the vendor’s expertise while maintaining state oversight. Radio Iowa
- ➤ Wells Fargo will lay off 14 employees at its West Des Moines office on Jordan Creek Parkway on Jan. 23, marking the third round of job cuts since October with 63 workers scheduled for Dec. 26 and 26 more on Jan. 2—continuing significant staff reductions at the bank. KCCI
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Noel Lopez De La Cruz, a 24-year-old who grew up in Mount Pleasant, was deported to Mexico after he was charged with marijuana possession and entering without inspection in June—his family and local advocates say the system failed him as he treks toward Mexico City to meet his fiancé and grandparents. Iowa Public Radio
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Drake announced that its live mascot—Griff II, an English Bulldog who served for six years—will retire at the end of the spring semester in May. A celebration is planned for Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the Pomerantz Stage and he will be honored at a basketball game at 6:30 p.m.—his successor will be revealed on Thursday. KCCI
- ➤ Fifteen Iowa high school seniors were honored last month by the Hoover Presidential Foundation at an award ceremony in University Heights for their self-directed community projects. Each finalist received a $1,500 scholarship and four top winners earned $10,000 to support their post-secondary education. KCCI
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Polk County emergency officials and local HVAC crews urge residents to prepare for dangerous cold expected later this week. Warming centers at libraries and community centers — along with free DART bus rides — are available to help prevent health risks from extreme weather. KCCI
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Nurses at UnityPoint Hospitals in Des Moines are planning to unionize with the Teamsters to demand better staffing, wages and safer working conditions after more than a year of organizing; they will vote Dec. 7-9 (results will be counted Dec. 10) and need at least 51% approval to unionize. State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst criticized UnityPoint for spending up to $6.1 million on anti-union efforts, saying it only fueled the nurses' determination. 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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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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Jolly Holiday Lights Celebration
11:59 p.m. – 1:29 a.m. — Iowa State Fair — Ticket availability limited — Experience the holiday magic with vibrant lights and festive cheer in Des Moines.
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A Christmas Carol
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Stoner Theater — $25-$45 — Experience Iowa's best holiday tradition with the timeless tale of Scrooge and the magic of Christmas.
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Christkindlmarket Des Moines
11 AM – 9 PM — Principal Park — Free entry — Experience a traditional German Christmas Market with crafts, music, and festive treats.
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Is Hope a Virtue?
11:00 a.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — Free entry — Explore the philosophy of hope in a thought-provoking discussion led by renowned lecturer Scott Samuelson.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The only way out is through.
~ Robert Frost
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