🌱 Patch AM: Spot monarchs clustering near Ames? Here’s how to help researchers now

Good morning Ames! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Spot monarchs clustering near Ames? Here's how to help researchers now
• How an Ames bakery is turning crepes into support for Ukraine
• How an Ames megachurch plans to revive struggling rural Iowa congregations

Also on today's calendar: Loft Reserved.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Ames Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Ames Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Ames.

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 81 and low of 63 degrees.
• Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., temps: high: 86, low: 61. 🌶 Hot!
• Saturday: Sunshine, with a high of 81 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Dozens to hundreds of monarchs may cluster in Iowa roosts as thousands head to Mexico (cbs2iowa.com) — Researchers based in Ames are asking Iowa landowners and residents to report monarch butterfly roosts this fall as thousands of monarchs migrate south to Mexico. By emailing sightings or using a new Bluetooth-enabled tagging app, locals can help map key stopover sites, guide habitat restoration, and even detect tagged butterflies released from Ames in September.
   

2. Ames bakery celebrates Ukrainian independence as TPS deadline nears (kcci.com) — An Ames Ukrainian-owned bakery is celebrating Ukraine's Independence Day all week with special crepes, cultural activities, and a donation drive supporting a co-owner's father's military unit. The celebration also highlights uncertainty for Ukrainians in Ames as federal Temporary Protected Status is set to expire in October 2026. Another Run for Ukraine 5K at Ada Hayden Heritage Park next month will raise additional aid.
   

3. As some churches are closing, this one seeks 'replanting' across Iowa (amestrib.com) — Cornerstone Church on Ames' eastern edge is drawing about 4,000 adults each week and using its Iowa State–rooted ministry to fuel a new push to "plant or replant" churches in rural Iowa. Leaders say closures of small-town congregations are leaving communities without key social support, and they're testing a model that streams Ames-based teaching into new rural churches like Acreage Church in West Union.
   

4. Jimmy Rogers follows Iowa State's greatest football era (altoonamirror.com) — Iowa State football in Ames is entering a massive rebuild under new head coach Jimmy Rogers after Matt Campbell's departure and an unprecedented roster overhaul. With no returning starters and 82 newcomers, players say they're focused on building chemistry and defying low external expectations while fans adjust to a dramatically different Cyclones team.
   

5. Survey ranks Decatur among top small U.S. cities for AI-focused businesses (thechampionnewspaper.com) — A new HostingAdvice.com survey ranks Ames among the top three small U.S. cities best positioned for AI-focused business growth, scoring 54.47 points. While the article centers on Decatur, it notes Ames' strong overall readiness alongside Verona, Wisconsin and Lexington, Massachusetts, underscoring the city's growing appeal to tech-driven companies.
   

📸 Around Ames

Subscribe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Ames

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday September 11
• Roach Motel Zine Club — Kristin M Roach →
  Kristin M Roach Art, 138 Main St, Ames
  4:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday September 15
• Loft Reserved →
  Dog·Eared Books, 203 Main St, Ames
  9:00 am

📣 Ames Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 20
• Mah-Jongg at the Library
  Madrid Public Library Madrid Library, 100 West 3rd St., Madrid, IA, 50156, United States
  9:30 am
• Central Elementary Back to School Night
  Nevada Comm School District Central Elementary School
  5:00 pm
• Middle School Open House
  Nevada Comm School District Nevada Middle School
  5:30 pm
• EMS Meeting →
  Gilbert, IA Calendar, 105 SE 2ND STREET, Gilbert
  6:00 pm
• Football: North Polk vs Urbandale (Varsity)
  North Polk Comm School District Urbandale High School Frerichs Field
  6:30 pm
Friday August 21
• Boys Cross Country: Nevada vs North Polk (Varsity)
  Middle School North Polk High School
  4:15 pm
• Girls Cross Country: PreSeason Scrimmage (Varsity)
  Middle School North Polk High School
  4:15 pm
• Football: Gilbert vs Roland-Story (Junior Varsity 2)
  Roland-Story Comm School District Roland-Story Sports Complex Kerry Van Winkle Field
  4:45 pm
• Football: Gilbert vs Roland-Story (Junior Varsity)
  Roland-Story Comm School District Roland-Story Sports Complex Kerry Van Winkle Field
  6:00 pm
• Football: Gilbert vs Roland-Story (Varsity)
  Roland-Story Comm School District Roland-Story Sports Complex Kerry Van Winkle Field
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• The City of Ames is hitting the road this summer!
  Head over to Tahira & Labh Hira Park (3622 Woodland St.) from 4 to 6 p.m. for a relaxed, family-friendly afternoon. Residents of all ages are… (Nextdoor )
• My son (almost 16) has an interest in car repair & customization, but we don't own many tools & I definitely have little experience beyond basic maintenance.
  I'm looking for someone who could mentor him, whether as a volunteer, at a shop, and/or on an hourly basis at your home or ours. First project:… (Nextdoor Roosevelt)

• Teleperformance USA posted a job opening for Health Insurance Assistant Manager| WAH | Temp in Ames. Apply here.
• McFarland Clinic posted a job opening for Receptionist (FT) | Pediatrics | Ames | 2026-199 in Ames. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ames here.

Ok Ames! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook