Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What changes could Des Moines schools see under new superintendent Matt Smith?

Also, don't miss Art Center Café, Dinner with Friends: Jordan Mix and Hanna Howard on the Des Moines Patch calendar

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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:

  • What changes could Des Moines schools see under new superintendent Matt Smith?
  • What Des Moines' new budget cuts mean for police and fire services
  • How new farm policies could change Des Moines' drinking water future

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!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 67 and low of 65 degrees.
  • Thursday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, temps: high: 77, low: 66.
  • Friday: Humid with rain and a t-storm, with a high of 87 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

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.
   

📸 Around Des Moines

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Radon mitigation
    I wanted to give a shout out and recommendation to Bill Robert's at Bohdi Services for my Radon mitigation system. He did an excellent job, was… (Nextdoor Grays Lake)
  • THIS HAS BEEN PICKED UP
    Tons of Shampoo, conditioner, and Hair color items. Before I throw these away, does anybody have use for them? Tons of developer along with some… (Nextdoor Waterbury)
  • UnityPoint Health posted a job opening for Food Service Worker II in Des Moines. Apply here.
  • Cetera Financial Group posted a job opening for Life Insurance Case Management Associate in Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Des Moines here.

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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