Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Polk County parents should know as Iowa’s measles cases climb.

Coming up on the Des Moines Patch calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Sunday September 20th Patch AM
Sunday September 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Coffee in hand, Des Moines? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Polk County parents should know as Iowa's measles cases climb.
  • How a $4.25M grant could transform Des Moines' Sleepy Hollow park.
  • How a late fumble in Des Moines toppled NAIA's No. 1

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Des Moines 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 Des Moines Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Des Moines. Advertisement

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: A shower and t-storm; cooler, with a high of 66 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Monday: A passing shower or two, temps: high: 62, low: 52.
  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and cool, with a high of 60 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Iowa's measles cases rise to 38 on the year; Polk County urges MMR vaccines for protection (weareiowa.com) — Des Moines-area families are being urged to stay vigilant as Iowa's measles outbreak climbs to 38 cases, even though Polk County isn't yet directly affected. Local health officials stress that the MMR vaccine is the best protection and encourage parents, especially of infants and young children, to talk with their providers about on-time or accelerated vaccination options.
   

2. Northern Iowa community lands $675,000 state grant for new swimming pool (northiowatoday.com) — Des Moines residents will see big changes at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, with a $4.25 million state grant helping fund a $17 million expansion of skiing, tubing, lodging, and outdoor activities. The same round of state awards backs a new swimming pool in Jewell, several manufacturing expansions, and two Iowa startups, including a Des Moines firm aiding homelessness services coordination.
   

3. Benedictine Stuns Grand View: NAIA Football Upset Explained (victorysportsnetwork.com) — Grand View University football fans in Des Moines saw a shocker as No. 9 Benedictine rallied late to beat the top-ranked Vikings 21-17, ending Grand View's 32-game winning streak and 73-game regular-season run. Strong clock control, a pivotal fourth-quarter fumble on a punt, and efficient play from Benedictine's offense now guarantee a shake-up in the NAIA rankings.
   

4. Carlisle Floyd Adaptation Brings Steinbeck Novella to Life (news-usa.today) — Des Moines Metro Opera's production of Carlisle Floyd's Of Mice and Men is reaching viewers well beyond the metro as Iowa PBS broadcasts the performance statewide. The partnership lets residents experience a major local cultural production from home, while spotlighting how regional institutions keep high-caliber opera accessible to students, educators, and arts fans across Iowa.
   

📸 Around Des Moines

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 Des Moines

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Des Moines Shout Outs!

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

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

  • Does anyone know a reliable person or company who can remove and replace the roof on my Catio?
    It's about 10x10 in size. Any recommendations would be appreciated! (Nextdoor Grays Lake)
  • Looking for work ?
    I'm paying $17/hr for regular labor. Need reliability. Experience is nice but not needed. This is for house remodeling work. (Nextdoor Martin-Hickman)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Mail Clerk 2 in Des Moines. Apply here.
  • Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member 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: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

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

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Des Moines