Daily
West Des Moines
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, West Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Valley Church in West Des Moines will host a Memorial Day service on Sunday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sky Venue at the Valley Community Center (free meals will be provided for veterans and their families). KCCI
- ➤ Bicycling enthusiasts in Des Moines and five other Iowa communities will ride silently tonight in the 22nd annual Ride of Silence to honor cyclists injured or killed over the past year (opening remarks begin at 6:30 p.m. at the State Historical Museum of Iowa). BIKEIOWA.com founder Scott Sumpter will lead the eight-mile ride concluding at the State Capitol steps around 8 p.m. Radio Iowa
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening a new West Des Moines restaurant at 6630 Mills Civic Pkwy, Suite 6110 on Friday, May 22. The fast-casual spot serves spicy chicken with seven heat levels (including a Grim Reaper option that needs a waiver) and features local-inspired graffiti murals. Des Moines Register
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Gov Reynolds signed Iowa’s new Make America Healthy Again law on Wednesday, limiting digital instruction for K-5 students to 60 minutes per day & directing state agencies to work with school districts on guidelines. New surgeon general recommendations warn against excessive screen time and aim to support children’s health. KCCI
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Experts and local beekeepers are tracking an unusually early bee swarm season that began 17 days ahead due to record heat, raising concerns over pollination, honey production & bee health. They note that earlier blooms may help support hives despite potential shifts in native bee resources. KCCI
- ➤ The National Weather Service confirmed 25 tornadoes struck Iowa between May 16 and May 18, with most hitting northwest areas and smaller tornadoes in Taylor and Ringgold counties. Damage surveys continue & officials expect additional tornadoes to be verified soon. KCCI
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Iowa law officers are running a Click It or Ticket program through the end of May + they urge drivers to buckle up this Memorial Day weekend as summer travel picks up. Radio Iowa
- ➤ At a Wednesday IUC meeting, Iowa landowners asked regulators to deny Summit Carbon Solutions’ revised pipeline plan while some agriculture groups urged approval to boost low-carbon fuel & rural economy as the proposal cuts about 200 miles from the pipeline and spares 400 landowners, though concerns remain. KCCI
- ➤ Gov. Reynolds signed a new law today that bans some food dyes in schools, sets limits on screen time, requires nutrition courses for medical students, and changes SNAP rules to only cover healthy foods; U.S. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. praised the law for boosting Iowa's focus on healthy lifestyles. Radio Iowa
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ MercyOne named Bob Baxter as its new president and CEO beginning June 22; he previously led Bon Secours Mercy Health (the largest healthcare system in Ohio), while interim CEO Michael Taylor stays through July 1. KCCI
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Clive & Des Moines aquatic centers open this holiday weekend to kick off the 2026 swimming season with full staffing and attractions like lazy rivers, water slides, and diving boards. Officials stress that safety remains the top priority with trained lifeguards on duty. KCCI
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Morning Yoga with Feel Good
8-9 a.m. — Kava DSM — In-person session — Start your day with rejuvenating yoga in a calming atmosphere.
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Spring Music Series: Forrest McCurren
5-7 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — $4.50 pints — Enjoy live tunes in the Beer Hall during the Spring Music Series with happy hour specials.
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Community Cooking Class: Artists Around A Table
6-9 p.m. — Culinary Annex — $50 — Engage in a hands-on cooking class creating classic dishes from the 1920s-40s with Chef Cass in a lively social setting.
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Learn to Play Mah Jong
10 AM – 1 PM — West Des Moines Public Library — Registration recommended — Discover the exciting world of American Mah Jong with a hands-on introduction to the game.
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Blue Light Jazz at Surety Hotel
5-12 p.m. — Surety Hotel Lobby Lounge — Free entry — Enjoy Stiff Drinks and Smooth Grooves while chasing away mid-week blues with live jazz.
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Networking at Evolve Juicery and Kitchen
6-10 p.m. — Evolve Juicery & Kitchen — Free entry — Meet local professionals through guided introductions for better conversations.
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First Friday Art Exhibition: Nostalgia
5-8 p.m. — Mainframe Studios — Free entry — Explore art reflecting on memory and nostalgia with interactive activities and music.
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DSM Farmers' Market
8:30 AM — Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market — Free entry — Enjoy fresh local produce and unique artisan goods in a vibrant community atmosphere.
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Sensory-Friendly Game: Iowa Cubs vs. Toledo Mudhens
1:08-2:08 p.m. — Principal Park — Discounted tickets available — Enjoy a baseball game with sensory-friendly accommodations for families and individuals with autism.
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Rooftop Yoga Class
7:30-8:30 p.m. — The Shop DSM - Event Center — Beginner friendly — Enjoy a relaxing yoga session with a view on the rooftop.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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