Greetings Des Moines! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Top Dogs Member Market and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Des Moines Public School Board names interim superintendent Matt Smith to official role (weareiowa.com) — Des Moines families just got a major leadership update: the school board has officially named longtime interim leader Matt Smith as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. After guiding the district through a major facilities plan and a superintendent transition, Smith now takes the permanent role, pledging to keep decisions focused on students, families, and staff.
2. Des Moines police face cuts as state leaders respond (kcci.com) — Des Moines residents will see city budget cuts hit police and fire services after the council approved $11.5 million in reductions tied to new state property tax limits. Local and statewide political leaders are now debating how to balance public safety with taxpayer protections as departments prepare for trimmed staffing and resources.
3. 'Lobe Rangers' call for policy changes to address Iowa's water-quality problems (kdsm17.com) — Residents gathered in Des Moines to hear three "Lobe Rangers" farmers push for stronger conservation policies to protect central Iowa rivers that supply the metro's drinking water. They urged more funding, stricter buffers near streams, and accountability for farm pollution, while state officials highlighted recent gains in cover crops and wetlands. The group plans to lobby lawmakers after the upcoming election.
4. Malala Yousafzai named keynote speaker for 2026 Borlaug Dialogue (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Des Moines will host Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai this October as a keynote speaker at the World Food Prize's Borlaug Dialogue, bringing global attention to the city. The symposium draws hundreds of leaders focused on ending hunger and culminates with a $500,000 prize. Local residents can buy tickets online to attend sessions downtown.
5. Local residents and hardware stores scramble for supplies amid unexpected September floods (weareiowa.com) — West Des Moines residents are battling flooded basements after heavy overnight rain, leaving local hardware stores scrambling to restock pumps, shop vacs, and squeegees. With more rain possible, Cappel's Ace Hardware has sharply boosted its inventory, while homeowners work around the clock to clear water and wait for overbooked plumbers.
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Ok Des Moines! 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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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