🌱 Dads On A Mission + Des Moines Man Shoots Neighbor's Dog

Hey, people of Des Moines! It's me again, Katarina Betterton, your host of the Des Moines Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and mild. High: 50 Low: 37.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Des Moines today:

1. A group of dads is stepping up to solve the problem of fighting in Des Moines Public Schools. They call themselves "Dads on a Mission" and they're open to any man of color regardless of whether they have children in the district; the only thing members must have is the desire to cause a change. The group's goal is to allow fathers to volunteer at middle and high schools in the district, meeting with students before and after school as well as during lunch. (KCCI Des Moines)
2. A Des Moines man shot his neighbor's dog on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that he was protecting his property. The man stated the neighbor's dog got loose and came into his yard acting aggressively; he told police that he shot the dog multiple times. The dog was taken to an animal hospital in unknown condition; the man will not face any charges. (KCCI Des Moines)
3. Des Moines city administration buildings will be closed today, Dec. 23 and Friday, Dec. 24 to observe the Christmas holiday and will remain closed until Monday, Dec. 27. However, because Christmas falls on a Saturday, there will be no delay to garbage and recycling collection this week. Residents should put out their garbage, recycling, and yard waste on their normal collection day and call the Public Works Customer Service Center at 515-283-4950 to report a missed cart. (Press Release Desk)

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Today in Des Moines:

• Civil & Human Rights Commission: Internal Committee Meeting - Des Moines City Hall (5:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Good news for anyone traveling this holiday season: the weather in Des Moines will generally be favorable going into Christmas Day. There is little threat of precipitation through Friday with temperatures gradually warming. (Facebook)
• Thanks to Blank Park Zoo and Turnaround Arts Des Moines, students at Madison Elementary School went on a photo safari in the classroom. (Instagram)
• Adventureland, Iowa's largest theme park and a Des Moines metro landmark for almost 50 years, is being sold to the U.S. subsidiary of a global theme park operator. (Instagram)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Katarina Betterton

About me: Katarina loves to read and write. Her hobbies include cooking her grandmother's recipes, learning new languages, and crafting. She and her husband live with their mutt, Ledger, and Shiba Inu, Mikasa, who are both way too cute for their own good.