A study from Drake University, in partnership with homelessness planning organization Homeward, found that the amount of family shelters and affordable housing need to be expanded in order to meet the need from families experiencing homelessness, and the community needs to come together and try to lower barriers for those putting everything they can into […]
Central Iowa Community/News
Posted inCommunity/News
Street-level aid groups do battle with bulldozers and broken systems as Des Moines’ anti-homeless ordinances encroach
On Sept. 16, the Des Moines City Council passed a pair of ordinances designed to prevent unsheltered citizens from sleeping or living on public property. The first ordinance will make sleeping in public places like sidewalks, streets, doorways, pedestrian and vehicular entrances punishable by a $15 fine, and bans camping under bridges, in parks, and […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Polk County ballots with amendment spelling error remain valid, Secretary of State’s office says
The Iowa Secretary of State’s office has determined that a spelling error on some Polk County ballots on a proposed constitutional amendment will not invalidate these ballots. When early voting began Oct. 16, some ballots in Polk County were found to have contained a typo in its language on the gubernatorial line of succession amendment. […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Polk County ballots contain spelling error on constitutional amendment
The Iowa Secretary of State’s office is determining whether a spelling error in the wording of a proposed constitutional amendment on Polk County ballots would create any problems in counting those votes. As early voting began Wednesday, some ballots in Polk County contained a typo in its section on the constitutional amendment related to the […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
How to vote early in Polk County and Story County
Early voting in the Nov. 5 election began on Wednesday morning, as county auditors across Iowa began mailing out absentee ballots requested by voters, and in-person voting started in the auditors’ offices. Voters who want a mail-in absentee ballot have a few more days to send a completed ballot request form to their auditor’s office. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Final two candidates for DMPD chief weren’t the top-rated candidates for the job
Maj. Lillie Parker has had a history-making career since she joined the Des Moines Police Department in 1999. In 2009, she became the first Black woman promoted to the rank of sergeant in the department’s history. Six years later she became the first Black woman to be a DMPD lieutenant. Two more firsts followed — […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Phill the water buffalo’s former owner faces misdemeanor charge
A month after Phill the water buffalo made his escape over a fence in Pleasant Hill, his former owner has been charged with a misdemeanor. Prem Nepal of Des Moines was charged with having an animal at large. It is a simple misdemeanor, and if convicted, Nepal could face a fine of between $105 and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Lanon Baccam shares ‘history of service’ in Iowa State Fair speech
Democrat Lanon Baccam told the crowd at the Iowa State Fair Monday that he would bring his “history of service” and commitment to healthcare access to the U.S. Congress if elected. Speaking at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox Monday, the 3rd District Democratic nominee shared stories of his time serving in the Iowa National […]
Posted inCommunity/News
ARL holds a pet adoption special, asks for hot dogs, canned pumpkin, whipped cream and more as shelters remain crowded
Last week, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) asked for the public’s help because of a “severe space challenge” caused by a surge in dogs and cats arriving at its shelters. Over the weekend, it offered a special discount rate on adoptions of all dogs and cats six months or older, and 135 pets […]
Posted inCommunity/News
There’s an ‘urgent need’ for more people to adopt and foster dogs and cats as ARL faces ‘severe space challenges’
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is “facing severe space challenges” as it cares for an exceptionally large number of dogs and cats, the nonprofit animal care organization said in a news release on Thursday. The ARL, which has provided all of the City of Des Moines’ shelter services since 2005, is currently caring […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa ethics board fines candidate Melissa Vine and her former campaign manager for illegal contributions
Melissa Vine, a Democrat running in the June 4 primary in Iowa’s 3rd congressional district, and her former campaign manager Lou McDonald were each fined $500 by the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board on Thursday after the board’s investigation found the two made contributions to a state political action committee in other people’s names. […]
Posted inCentral Iowa Community/News
Photos: DSM Trans Lives Festival
In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility, the First Unitarian Church in Des Moines held the fourth annual Trans Lives Festival on Saturday, March 30. The all-ages event showcased the creative work of transgender, genderqueer, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming adults and youth from around Iowa.
