Ankeny Summerfest parade: School of Rock performers, John Deere tractors, mascots and marching bands wound through the streets of Ankeny ahead of carnival rides and games for all ages — check out the highlights.
Fleur Drive Bridge reopens early: The bridge south of downtown Des Moines reopened nearly five months ahead of schedule, complete with new bike lanes, curb bump-outs and a green trail to boost safety and connectivity — find out what’s changed.
Three decades of devastation: Photos trace the 1993 floods that inundated Iowa’s riverside towns, submerged campus arenas, and stalled barge traffic along the Mississippi — check out these powerful before-and-after images.
Tax law shakes up giving: Tomorrow, July 14, the Community Foundation will host a session at the C3 Center to unpack how the new July 4 tax changes could reshape deduction thresholds, giving incentives and compliance for nonprofits and donors — find out what it means for your organization.
Waukee students shine in Anaheim: Twenty-three Waukee CSD students took on more than 12,000 peers at the 2025 FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, with two earning national awards and all gaining leadership and business skills — find out which students earned top honors.
Drafting Valley West’s future: West Des Moines officials say they’ll know the new Valley West Mall owner in the coming weeks and are eyeing a transformational, walkable mixed‐use development at the metro’s population center — find out what’s next.
West Des Moines kitten crisis: AHeinz57’s exit has left the city without a partner to rescue and rehome feral and stray kittens this summer, forcing shelters and volunteers to scramble for solutions — find out how you can help.
Nitrate surge strains water plant: Des Moines Water Works has run its Fleur Drive plant at max capacity for over 66 days amid elevated nitrates, relying on tanker removals and planning facility upgrades while working with upstream partners — find out how they’re keeping taps safe.
Des Moines mansion reborn: A groundbreaking ceremony launched a $20 million renovation of the historic Butler Mansion to house Iowa’s Italian-American Cultural Center, featuring an event hall, museum, speakeasy-style bar, café, cooking classrooms and a $5 million bocce pavilion for competitions — find out what’s in store.
Other Des Moines headlines this week
- Labubu dolls remain elusive in Des Moines
- Des Moines EMS calls drop after years
- Report urges Iowa to establish wildlife corridors
- Romance bookstore is opening in Des Moines
- New Des Moines barbershop welcomes all genders
- Explore Des Moines metro’s best neighborhoods
- Iowa DNR reports second-highest pheasant harvest
