Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What the ag secretary hopefuls told Johnston about ethanol’s future
Also, don't miss ChildServe – Johnston Sibshops 2026 on the Johnston Patch calendar
Coffee in hand, Johnston? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What the ag secretary hopefuls told Johnston about ethanol's future
- How a Johnston group is tracking thousands of missing school library books
Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Johnston Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, 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 Johnston Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Johnston. 
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 69 and low of 52 degrees.
- Sunday: Sunny and beautiful, temps: high: 70, low: 44.
- Monday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 66 and low of 47 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Ethanol views vary widely in Iowa's race for ag secretary (superhits1027.com) — From Johnstonns hear sharply different takes on ethanol from the two candidates for state agriculture secretary. Incumbent Mike Naig touts ethanol's economic benefits and future potential, while challenger Chris Jones questions its environmental impact and long-term viability, arguing the state must rethink how millions of corn acres are used as fuel demand changes. 
• FOIA for the Win (publishersweekly.com) — A Johnston-based group, Annie's Foundation, is using public-records requests to track thousands of books removed from Iowa school libraries under the state's new content law. Volunteers say many districts aren't documenting where the books go, raising concerns about transparency, waste of public resources, and how communities can restore titles that may not actually violate the law.
📸 Around Johnston
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 Johnston
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- ChildServe – Johnston Sibshops 2026 →
5406 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
Saturday October 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Summer Concert Series →
Johnston, IA Calendar, 6221 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
7:00 pm - City Council Meeting
Johnston City Hall, 6221 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
7:00 pm - City Council Meeting →
Johnston, IA Calendar, 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410, Johnston
7:00 pm
Saturday October 3
Monday October 5
📣 Johnston Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- New Police Station Public Information Meeting →
Urbandale, IA Calendar Urbandale, IA 50322
9:00 am - Fall Festival →
Grimes, IA Calendar, 750 S James St, Grimes
10:00 am - Adult Book Club →
Grimes Public Library, 200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, Grimes
5:30 pm - Planning and Zoning Commission →
Grimes, IA Calendar
5:30 pm - True Crime in Iowa's Early Years →
Urbandale Public Library, 3520 86th St, Urbandale
6:00 pm - MOXIE Business Owner Roundtable →
Urbandale IA - J-Hawk Mile Run
Valerius Elementary School Urbandale, IA 50322
4:30 pm - Tree Board Meeting →
Grimes, IA Calendar
5:30 pm
Saturday October 3
Tuesday October 6
Wednesday October 7
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
- Owens & Minor, Inc posted a job opening for Material Handler in Grimes. Apply here.
- ThreePDS posted a job opening for Accounting Operations Associate Cash Application in Urbandale. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.
🗞 Nearby News
Grimes
- Zach Lahn expects Iowans to reap benefits of proposed steel mill for decades (kwqc.com)
- 'I don't know what my fate is': Refugee in Iowa struggling amid Medicare cuts (kcci.com)
- Overnight I-35/I-80 closures set for Oct. 2-3 near Grimes (qconline.com)
Urbandale
- ADM Volleyball Participating In Urbandale Tourney Tomorrow (raccoonvalleyradio.com)
- Iowa Homes for Heroes Completes Second Home for Iowa Veteran (dmcityview.com)
Ok Johnston! 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: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.