🌱 Iowans March For Ukraine + WDM Man Dead After Police Chase

Hello again, Des Moines! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Des Moines Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Des Moines Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Des Moines long term. So if you're interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

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First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 46 Low: 35.

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Here are the top three stories today in Des Moines:

1. On Saturday afternoon, people of all ages marched from Western Gateway Park to the Statehouse to show their solidarity with Ukraine. Many of the downtown marchers met through the Facebook group "Iowa Stands with Ukraine," which has become a resource for residents who want to support the war-torn country. Local advocates who organized the march are calling on state lawmakers to help, including by reopening the state borders to welcome refugees. (KCCI Des Moines)
2. A West Des Moines man died Friday evening after attempting to outrun a police car, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 19-year-old Christopher Landers passed a deputy at a "high rate of speed" on I-35; when the deputy reportedly attempted to catch up with Landers, he led the police car on a chase that ended in a crash with an SUV on NE 78th Avenue. Four of the five occupants of the SUV remain hospitalized; Landers is reported to have died at the scene. (Local 5 - weareiowa.com)
3. Iowa continues to fight against the spread of an avian flu strain first found in Indiana. According to the CDC, the public is not at any health risk from the avian flu strain, and the USDA reports poultry products are safe; however, the highly-contagious flu can decimate flocks. Over six million birds across Iowa have been killed to mitigate the spread; the state has also suspended all public events that include live poultry, including sales events and county fairs. (WQAD)

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Today in Des Moines:

• New Member Meet-Up - Young Professionals Connection At Zora's Rooftop Bar (5:30 PM)
• Public Meeting On Noise Control And Outdoor Concert Permits At City of Des Moines Municipal Services Center (5:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Could one of these newly-listed Des Moines properties be your dream home? Get the details on Patch. (Des Moines Patch)
• This weekend, the Des Moines Public Library closed out the DSM Book Festival with its second AViD event of 2022 featuring Angeline Boulley. Join the library's next event on Apr. 21 with Amanda Montell at Central Library! (Instagram)
• Des Moines Parks and Recreation is hiring staff for its new summer camp at four different DSM locations! Positions are 40 hours per week, weekdays only, May through August. Apply online by May 1 at this link. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.