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Des Moines faces a $12 million budget shortfall in 2028, blamed on a new state law limiting property tax revenue — and city leaders are turning to a controversial online “budget savings calculator” to crowdsource cuts. But residents are pushing back, calling the tool rigid, inaccessible, and misleading — forcing binary choices between eliminating services rather than letting them prioritize or pro...

Iowa’s drinking water crisis is escalating: nitrate violations surged to 36 in 2025—more than double 2024’s 14—and tied with 2023’s 38 for the worst on record. Over 2,400 customers across 13 systems are now at risk as nitrates, from fertilizers and animal waste washed into rivers by heavy rains, breach EPA safety limits. The fallout? Lawn watering bans in Des Moines and serious health threats—espe...

Meet Kaiden Yu, a 23-year-old photojournalism intern at the Des Moines Register with a globe-trotting background thanks to his military parents. Just three years into his career, he’s already capturing everything from local zoo events to critical environmental issues. A jazz piano player by night and rock climber by adrenaline, Kaiden’s passion for journalism stems from his belief in its power to...

The 515 Walnut building in Des Moines has officially topped out at 33 stories, marking a major milestone as crews poured the final concrete roof on July 9. With electrical conduits secured and panoramic views of the Capitol Building, the project stands tall in the city’s skyline — a testament to precision, scale, and the next phase of its ambitious completion. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on...

Waterloo West High School kicks off its second annual 1619 Freedom School Read-in this July 18, bringing together powerhouse authors like Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, Renée Watson, and Nikole Hannah-Jones to read, discuss, and celebrate stories that have been banned in Iowa schools. The event, born from resistance to Senate File 496 — which removed thousands of books deemed inappropriate — aims t...

Iowa’s SNAP enrollment dropped nearly 24,000 people — a nine percent plunge — likely fueled by new federal rules from July 2025 that expanded work requirements for older adults, parents, veterans, and others, making access harder. While natural fluctuations occur, this decline is unusually steep. Advocates blame the tougher rules and complex application process. Meanwhile, Iowa’s SNAP error rate f...

Caped crusaders descend on Blank Children’s Hospital—not to battle villains, but to scrub windows and spread joy. Batman, Thor, Supergirl, and the Flash, mostly from local window service company Larry’s Window Services (with Supergirl being a nurse on staff), rappel down the building to play games, snap pics, and gift kids enduring tough treatments. For children stuck in hospital rooms for weeks o...

Iowa is honoring fallen Air Force pilot Major Brad Hovey with flags at half-staff across the state, beginning July 10 and lasting until July 17 — timed to coincide with his visitation and burial. A native Iowan and member of the 49th Flight Test Squadron, Major Hovey died on June 15 during a B-52 test flight. Governor Kim Reynolds praised his honor and sacrifice, and the state stands united in mou...

Two Dead in Iowa County Crash | Des Moines News

Des Moines is staring down a tens-of-millions deficit, forcing hard choices on cuts and potential job losses—city leaders are turning to residents for input via an online survey. Mayor Connie Boesen is pushing creative solutions beyond traditional budget slashing. At a public meeting, residents debated whether departments should self-identify cuts or let citizens pick from preset options. Some cal...

Pella’s got a new ride rolling into town—starting next week, the Pella Trolley offers a fun, affordable way to explore the city’s Dutch heritage, running Wednesdays through Saturdays with prices as low as free for kids under four. Hop on for history, charm, and a fresh local experience—tickets available at the Vermeer Windmill Museum Store or online. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pil...

Des Moines is on a massive mission to replace nearly 97,000 lead pipes, with homeowners like Adam Pirillo receiving notices to dig up their yards—potentially facing $10,000 to $12,000 in costs. With a federal deadline of 2037, the city knows it’s racing against time: over 6,000 confirmed lead lines, 1,000 galvanized, and 23,000 still unknown. Health risks—especially for babies—are the driving forc...

A UnityPoint K-9, off-duty and unsecured, attacked a woman in Manson on June 22nd — prompting an emergency room visit despite her initial refusal of care. No criminal charges are expected, but UnityPoint Health has issued an apology, confirmed direct communication with the victim, and decided the dog will no longer serve at the hospital — all while reaffirming their commitment to patient, staff, a...

Clive’s biggest park yet, Greenbelt Landing, is set to open next week during the Clive Festival — a $10.5 million environmental and recreational masterpiece built over nearly a decade. Featuring a playground, performance stage, public art, fishing access, and trail connections to the ICON Water Trails, it’s designed for all-day fun. But it’s more than just swings and slides — the park includes a r...

Des Moines is staring down a $12 million budget shortfall, forcing residents to decide where cuts should land—because a new state law caps property tax revenue. City Manager Scott Sanders bluntly says tough choices are unavoidable, asking citizens not just what they want to keep, but what they’re willing to sacrifice. A citywide survey lets residents pick cuts across departments like police, fire,...

A 49-year-old man in Huxley is facing serious new charges of indecent acts with a child, allegedly spanning from last August to this June. This isn’t his first brush with the law—he was arrested in May for admitting to secretly placing a camera in a bathroom while a 15-year-old was showering, now facing invasion of privacy charges. Both cases are under active investigation, and the legal fallout i...

Elwood the 15-foot concrete gnome in Ames, Iowa, just got a permanent baby gnome buddy — and now it’s your turn to name them! Reiman Gardens launched a community naming contest, open until July 31, inviting fans to submit ideas via their Facebook page. This adorable addition marks a sweet new chapter for the garden’s quirky concrete crew — and it’s already sparking neighborhood excitement. Listen...

A solemn homecoming for Major Brad Hovey, an Iowa airman who died in a tragic B-52 crash during a routine test flight from Edwards Air Force Base. Eight lives were lost. His remains arrive in Adel, Iowa, today, with a public procession winding through local towns before reaching Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home. Community members are invited to line the route as a tribute, and Governor Kim Reynolds h...

A kayaker was stranded in swift Beaver Creek on July 4th, but firefighters from Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire District pulled off a flawless rescue despite tricky access and unknown conditions. Thanks to recent intensive swift-water training, the crew reached her quickly—she even helped herself into the boat—without any injuries. Battalion Chief Jessica Smith warned of deadly water speed, dept...

An Iowa man faces life in prison after a July 4 crash in South Dakota killed a 9-year-old girl and injured a teen—charges include vehicular homicide, DUI, and child endangerment, with prosecutors citing his prior felony record. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary...

Iowa’s first measles case in 2026 is a wake-up call: an adult traveler, vaccinated but exposed overseas, has sparked a public health scramble. With measles declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, cases are surging—nearly 2,200 this year alone, up from just 59 in 2023. Polk County’s low vaccination rates and nationwide vaccine hesitancy are fueling the outbreak. Experts warn that 95% community imm...

Theodore Corkrean faces first-degree murder charges after allegedly executing his mother in Madison County, with investigators citing a chillingly precise shooting and his subsequent arrest in West Des Moines. Held without bond under Iowa’s new July 1 law, his defense argues it’s unconstitutional, while prosecutors paint him as a flight risk with a violent past, missed court dates, and threatening...

Measles is spreading in Polk County after a vaccinated person tested positive — and here’s the twist: they caught it overseas and now the virus is lurking in the air for up to two hours. Health officials are scrambling to track down anyone exposed during recent visits to spots in Webster City and Des Moines, including a church, urgent care, and a clothing store. Symptoms? Fever, cough, rash — usua...

Federal funds are pouring into Ringgold County to upgrade the critical P33 corridor—over six miles of road between Highway Two and Diagonal will be resurfaced, widened, and fitted with rumble strips to boost safety for families, farmers, and small businesses. This major infrastructure boost aims to smooth daily commutes and fuel local economic growth, though exact construction timelines remain pen...

Iowa’s raising speed limits on two-lane roads to 60 mph—yes, again—because modern cars are safer than the clunkers of yesteryear, and critics’ accident stats often miss key context like vehicle age and crash causes. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court just handed the President unprecedented power to fire top officials from agencies like the FTC, potentially turning watchdogs into political pawns. Listen...