Polk City announced it is settling a lawsuit filed by Alissa Furry, a paramedic voted the 2025 Medic of the Year by her peers, who the city fired last October after posting on Facebook about the death of rightwing activist and media figure Charlie Kirk. “The city’s insurer will pay Ms. Furry $189,000 on the […]
Central Iowa
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: Des Moines Metro Opera stages Steinbeck, corruption in Rome and a 100-year-old ‘mysterium’ for summer season
Opera lovers braved the sweltering summer weather this past holiday weekend for some world-class productions, care of Des Moines Metro Opera. The opera company was the subject of a series of Des Moines Register articles last fall reporting allegations that crew behind the scenes were routinely overworked, underpaid and occasionally put in dangerous positions to […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Kamal’s,’ a new documentary about a Muslim chef and mayoral candidate in Grinnell, will show at Des Moines Art Fest on Sunday
The Des Moines Art Festival returns this weekend, and with it the Interrobang Film Festival, a free-to-attend, juried show featuring 36 films. One of those films is a new documentary about Muslim chef Kamal Hammouda, based in Grinnell, and his life in food, family and politics. Directed by Nich Perez, Kamal’s blends interviews with Hammouda, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: ‘I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire’ follows a 14-year-old Spider-Man stan with a penchant for kidnapping
You already know if you’ll enjoy I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire. If that title piqued your interest, I’m 90 percent sure this dark comedy from Iowa Stage Theatre Company is worth your time. It’s currently running at Des Moines’ Stoner Theater, with shows through Sunday, June 14. Go see it. In case you’d like […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: The mental health struggles of Beethoven, Vivaldi and other composers are explored in the first concert of Zenith Chamber Music Festival 2026
Zenith Chamber Music Festival offers audiences five nights of free concerts this week for their 12th annual summer series. Running Tuesday, June 9 through Saturday, June 13, these performances take place in unique venues around the Des Moines area and feature professional musicians and aspiring students. Funded entirely by donations, the festival is dedicated to making high quality chamber music accessible to everyone.
Posted inCentral Iowa
Lawn watering ban enacted in central Iowa due to high nitrate levels, affecting 20% of the state population
Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) imposed a lawn-watering ban on Monday. This is the second year in a row the water utility has banned watering by its 600,000 customers in the greater Des Moines area and beyond. “The lawn watering ban is not due to a lack of water in our rivers or reservoirs,” according […]
Posted inFood & Drink
With Merle Hay’s food court set for closure, the owner of Vietnam Cafe is fighting for a life beyond the mall
For over 15 years, Brenda Tran’s cafe has served Vietnamese and Chinese staples to the Merle Hay patron. But as developers plan to close the food court, Tran now awaits an inevitable 60-day notice to vacate the premises — and an uncertain future. “If I give up,” she said, “I feel like I’m betraying myself.”
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘What’s more I-O-W-A, Americana, “76 Trombones” than a marching band?’: Iowa Pride Ensembles are making noise all June
“We didn’t know what to expect,” said co-founder Amanda Thomas-Murphy. “We said we would be happy if 10 people performed with us, but the response was huge! So many members of the community from all over the state stepped up, participated and made our first Pride season amazing.”
Posted inCommunity/News
The Blazing Saddle is home to leather daddies, lesbians, cowboys, queens and queer elders who can remember a Des Moines before Pride
The Blazing Saddle is open 365 days a year, but a Thursday afternoon at the bar is very different from a Friday or Saturday night. The doors open at 2 p.m., and the bar quickly fills with men, most at retirement age or approaching it. They’ll drink a few beers, or a cup of coffee, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: ‘Clumsy’ stepsisters, magical fairies and ballroom tableaus help give Ballet Des Moines a happy ending to the season
Ballet Des Moines brought Sergei Prokofiev’s Cinderella to the Des Moines Civic Center earlier this month, a timeless tale made for the big stage. This charming production drew audiences of all ages, thanks in great part to their community ticketing program, a partnership with Iowa libraries that has introduced ballet to hundreds of library patrons throughout their season.
Posted inCommunity/News
In July 1933, Bonnie and Clyde’s gang hid out at an Iowa amusement park — and were nearly killed in a shootout with police
Americans have always had a soft spot for flamboyant, devil-may-care criminals and the tales of their escapades and fast living. Add in a doomed love affair, and you’ve really got an enduring hit. The infamous Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were together just a few short years, meeting in January 1930 and dying in a […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Crow Tow keeps getting contracts in Polk County, despite years of consumer complaints. Some officials are calling for an overhaul.
On Feb. 23, the Des Moines City Council voted 5-2 to extend its contract with the controversial towing outfit Crow Tow, which has had the city’s towing contract since 2019. This reignited the public debate on local and state towing laws, which are among the loosest in the nation. Crow Tow has been accused of […]
