Iowans Pour Into Fairgrounds for President Obama's Kickoff Campaign Event in Hawkeye State

Iowans were filling the Knapp Learning Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Thursday afternoon in anticipation of President Obama's 7 p.m. speech. He first met with Iowans at TPI, a Newton manufacturer of wind turbine blades.

UPDATE: Obama Back in Des Moines to Woo Iowans in Battle Over Swing State

Iowa's six electoral voters are judged to be all-important in the general election. Both the Obama and Romney campaigns have invested in the Hawkeye State.

Memorial Day in Urbandale: What's Open, What's Closed

What you can and cannot do this weekend and Monday.

Obama Volunteers Gear Up in Urbandale and Johnston; President in Iowa Today

The number of volunteers reaching out to their neighbors is growing as the presidential campaign gets into full swing and President Obama visits the state later today.

UPDATE: Urbandale Votes to Proceed With $1.8 Million on Park Shelter House

Urbandale City Council voted Tuesday to take bids on a new shelter house in Walker Johnston Park, which now will cost the city $1 million.

Rand Paul Heir to Ron Paul's Libertarian Movement? Says America Needs Spiritual Leadership

The Kentucky sentator spoke to a conservative Christian group in Iowa, where supporters of his father, Ron Paul, have taken over leadership in the state Republican Party. The younger Paul spoke in Waukee Friday about his journey as a Christian.

Ban on Synthetic Marijuana Doesn't Solve Problem: Zaun Report

Urbandale's state Sen. Brad Zaun files his last report of the Iowa Legislative session.

What Do You Get With $1.8 Million Urbandale Park Shelter?

Standing-room-only for about 600 people in a tornado-safe but "very simple building" said the project's architect this week.

Gingrich Makes it Official: He's Out; Iowa Strategist Says Romney Can Challenge Obama Without Distraction

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who won two primaries in the GOP nominating process, but finished fourth in the Iowa Caucus, officially suspended his campaign today.

Meredith Residents Feel 'Steamrolled' on Medians

The Urbandale City Council chambers were crowded Tuesday night with Meredith Drive residents upset about one aspect or another of the widening project.

Mayor to Meet with Upset Residents on Meredith Drive Widening

Urbandale Mayor Robert Andeweg will meet tonight with residents along Meredith Drive who are upset about plans to widen the road.

Meredith Drive To Close Monday; Construction to Last All Summer

The Urbandale thoroughfare will be widened to four lanes with medians and turning lanes.

Urbandale Library Board Votes to Raise Fees, Fines

Library fines will go up a nickel a day as the library looks for ways to increase revenue.

Vietnam Fallen Solidiers: Add a Face to the Name

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund wants a photo for every name on "The Wall" in Washington, D.C.

Urbandale Veteran To Be Awarded Purple Heart

Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell will award a Purple Heart Medal to a Vietnam veteran whose service record never reflected the honor.

Last Chance to File Your Tax Returns on TIme

Patch has advice for last-minute filers.

ENCORE: Urbandale's Zaun Outraged at University Tuition Set Asides

Urbandale's state senator weighs in on an Issue that his colleague Rep. Scott Raecker also wrote about last week.

IRS Tax Deadline is Tuesday April 17 This Year

Good news for procrastinators: Sunday and an obscure holiday give you a little breathing room.

Teen Reportedly Defaces Landmark Urbandale Bandshell, Then Makes Amends

Urbandale police say the Eagle bandshell in Lions Park was vandalized March 30 by a teenager with a magic marker.

Urbandale Republicans Picked a Nominee. Will They Have Picked a Winner?

Romney, now the heir apparent to the Republican nomination, was a decisive winner in Urbandale on caucus night.

Easter in Urbandale: What's Open and Closed?

Know of any other Easter closures? Add them in the comments section below.

Mental Health Redesign Moves Forward

Urbandale State Rep. Scott Raecker writes about progress on reforming the state's mental health services -- one of his key goals this year as House Appropriations Committee Chairman.

Oh Goodie! Less Than Two Weeks to Tax Freedom Day

Urbandale's state Sen. Brad Zaun says we have to work until April 17 to earn enough to pay our taxes for 2012.

ENCORE: Ask A Fire Chief About Your Tornado Preparedness

Urbandale Fire Chief answered readers' questions about tornado readiness on Patch April 5-9. If you want answers to other safety topics, suggest them in the comments section below.

Did You Know Your Student Is Paying Someone Else's Tuition?

Urbandale state Rep. Scott Raecker writes about a hidden cost in Iowa's three state universities' tuition.

What is Iowa's Favorite Checkoff on State Income Taxes? Zaun Report 3/22

State Sen. Brad Zaun writes about Iowans favorite check-off causes. Guess which is the 2-to-1 favorite?

Iowa Girl's Tragic Death Results in Bus Safety Legislation

Urbandale state Rep. Scott Raecker writes about how one Iowa family is helping to make school children safer than their child, who was killed leaving her school bus.

Iowa Addicted to Gambling $: Zaun Report 3/15

Urbandale State Senator Brad Zaun criticizes his chamber's vote to approve internet poker in Iowa.

Planning Some Yard Work This Weekend? Urbandale Begins Collecting Monday

The warm weather has prompted Urbandale to start picking up yard waste two weeks earlier than usual.

Iowa Cut Tax Funding to State Universities by 40% in Past Decade

As Urbandale seniors prepare for graduation, college will be a costlier experience in part because Iowa back away from previous subsidy levels.

Zaun Seeks Re-election to Revised Urbandale-Johnston Senate District

Senate Republican Brad Zaun wants to continue working on job creation and reducing the size of government

Rising Gasoline Prices Despite Lower Consumption: Zaun Report 3/8

Urbandale state Sen. Brad Zaun writes about oil exports and imports and rising gasoline prices.

Good News: Urbandale Library Roof Repair Is Less Than Expected

The repairs to the leaking roof on the 11-year-old library building will cost less than what city officials originally expected.

Education Reform Starts at Home: Raecker Report 3/2

Educational reform involves both complex and simple solutions, writes Urbandale's state Rep. Scott Raecker.

Zaun Defends His Bill to Kill Iowa Education Department

Urbandale State Sen. Brad Zaun defends his bill to eliminate the Iowa Department of Education

Urbandale To Buy Fish Sculpture

The sculpture is the third purchase by the city's Public Art Committee and the first to depart from a theme of bronzes featuring children that have been placed in city parks.

Chapters Coffee Shop Gets a Renewal From Urbandale Library Board

Urbandale Library Trustees agreed to negotate another contract with the business that didn't pay rent for most of last year.

Should the Urbandale Library Cut Its Rent for Chapters?

The president of Mustard's Restaurants is scheduled to present his plan for keeping the coffee shop open to the Library Board tonight.

Black Mamba, Bliss and Bombay Blue: Who Knows What These Are?

Dangerous synthetic drugs are changing faster than the state's anti-drug laws, writes Urbandale state Rep. Scott Raecker.

Government Rules Shouldn't Kill Jobs: Zaun Report 2/23

Urbandale state Sen. Brad Zaun writes about his support for a bill that would require state agencies to describe how any proposed governmental rule would affect jobs.