Hello West Des Moines! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: She Kills Monsters: Young Adventures Edition and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Court clears path for Valley West Mall sale, but closing and redevelopment remain uncertain (kcci.com) — The long-uncertain Valley West Mall property in West Des Moines is finally nearing a sale, with Mayor Russ Trimble expecting the deal to close within about 30 days. City leaders are pushing for a walkable, mixed-use redevelopment that complements Jordan Creek, while incentives, zoning changes, and the long JCPenney lease will shape how quickly demolition and transformation can begin.
2. Record beef prices force Iowa shoppers, grocers alike to get creative (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — West Des Moines shoppers are feeling record-high beef prices at local stores like Hy-Vee, Costco, Fareway, and Fresh Thyme, and many are switching to cheaper meats or hunting for specials. Local meat managers describe aggressive discounting and sourcing strategies, while analysts explain why imports and federal policy changes may not quickly bring relief at the checkout.
3. Over 450 Students Enter Health Career Journey At Des Moines University Medicine and Health Science's White Coat Ceremony (rcreader.com) — Des Moines University, based in West Des Moines, just welcomed 456 new students into health careers with its White Coat Ceremony, marking the start of their professional journeys. Future doctors, therapists, podiatrists, and physician assistants heard from university leaders, donned their first white coats, and pledged to focus their work on serving future patients.
4. West Des Moines native Eli Raridon scores first touchdown of 2026 NFL season (kcci.com) — A former Valley High School standout from West Des Moines, tight end Eli Raridon, just scored the first touchdown of the entire 2026 NFL season in his debut with the New England Patriots. His historic score in Seattle also made him the first player to reach the end zone while wearing the new NFL Debut Patch, which will be turned into a unique trading card.
5. Hy-Vee Raises More Than $295,000 to Feed Families Across Midwest (plaintalk.net) — Hy-Vee, headquartered in West Des Moines, has raised nearly $296,000 through its Back-to-School Community Food Drive to support food banks and pantries across the Midwest. Local stores, including those in and around West Des Moines, collected donations at checkout, online, and via food bags, with the company adding $100,000 to help children start the school year with enough to eat.
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Ok West 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: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
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