Daily
West Des Moines
Thursday, September 18th, 2025
Good morning, West Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Team Blue Iowa will host the Blue Believers Run/Walk and Junior Believers Fun Run on Saturday, September 20 at Principal Park to raise prostate cancer awareness — the event will feature a 5k run/walk and a special fun run for kids. Prostate cancer survivor Mark Good said the race supports Iowa families and encourages early detection. WHO13
- ➤ ARL will host a motorcycle ride to support homeless pets along a scenic route south of the metro—riders will enjoy drink specials at select bars, raffle entries, and a silent auction while the first 50 registrants receive a custom bandana. Greater Des Moines Partnership
- ➤ Homeward conducted a point-in-time survey on July 30 in Polk County that counted 768 people experiencing homelessness, a 5% increase from summer 2024 and a 1.5% drop from winter 2025 — the count also revealed 210 unsheltered individuals, an 18% rise from last year while youth and veteran numbers declined. Homeward noted a need for more non-congregate shelter spaces as community resources face a $20 million annual gap. WHO13
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ John Deere announced layoffs affecting 141 employees at its Des Moines Works and Waterloo Operations due to decreased demand. The 40 workers at Des Moines will end work on October 31 while the 101 Waterloo employees will have their last shift on October 17—layoffs come with recall eligibility and benefit packages. WHO13
- ➤ Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig announced that nine small meat processing shops split $355,000 from Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grants—grants that require matching funds and leverage nearly $2 million in investments to upgrade equipment and facilities. The grants help modernize meat lockers with new smokehouses, freezers and processing line expansions to meet growing local demand for Iowa meat. Radio Iowa
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On Wednesday—Constitution Day, Living History Farms in Urbandale unveiled its new 'The Road to Liberty' exhibit featuring 85 posters that portray signers of the Declaration of Independence, key Revolutionary War events, and the contributions of women. The exhibit is located in the Kemin Cultivation Center and will remain open for 12 to 16 months for families to explore. WHO13
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ About two dozen blind Iowans marched outside the Iowa Department for the Blind on Tuesday to protest a new state policy that makes sleep shades optional during training for independent living— they argue that mandatory sleep shades helped them build essential navigation skills and the department’s new director says the change will extend access to training. Radio Iowa
- ➤ Carol Whitmore of Des Moines became the first woman and Iowan to be elected national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, marking a historic moment in the organization’s 126-year history. She served in the U.S. Army from 1977 to 2013—retiring as a master sergeant and joining the VFW in 2012 before later leading VFW Iowa from 2018 to 2019. KCCI
- ➤ Summit Carbon Solutions asked the Iowa Utilities Commission to change its pipeline permit from August 2024—The permit required extensions into South Dakota and underground storage in North Dakota, but new law in South Dakota blocked eminent domain, so Summit adjusted its route and offered landowners profit sharing plus $8 million in grants for emergency response agencies. Radio Iowa
-
Touch-a-Truck!
11 a.m.–12 p.m. — North Side Library — Free entry — Explore a variety of city vehicles including fire engines and garbage trucks.
-
Kid-Friendly Brewery Tour
11:00-11:45 a.m. — Exile Brewing Company — Free entry — A fun and educational brewery tour perfect for kids aged 5-12 featuring science and big machinery.
-
Des Moines Fairytale Ball
10:00 AM-4:30 PM — The Tea Room — Tickets required — Experience enchanting performances and meet your favorite fairytale characters at this magical event.
-
Weekly Art Nights with Art is Rad
6-8 p.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — $10 per artist — Unleash your creativity weekly with diverse hands-on art activities for all ages and skill levels.
-
Teen Chef: Puppy Chow Three Ways
4-5 p.m. — Franklin Avenue Library — Registration required — Learn to craft three versions of puppy chow with cereal, popcorn, cookies, and more.
-
Trivia Night at Exile Brewing
6-8 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — Enjoy happy hour pricing — Test your knowledge with weekly Trophy Husband Trivia.
-
Des Moines Oktoberfest
9 a.m.-6 p.m. — Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park — Paid entry — Celebrate with authentic German food, craft beers, and lively entertainment at this vibrant festival.
-
Panda Bear Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Wooly's — Tickets from $48 — Enjoy an evening of captivating music from Panda Bear in Des Moines.
-
Des Moines Symphony Season Debut
2:30-4:00 p.m. — Des Moines Civic Center — $20-80 — Experience the triumphant opening of the symphony season with Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Have strong opinions, weakly held.
~ Marc Andreessen
About Daily West Des Moines
Welcome to the Daily West Des Moines, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the West Des Moines, Iowa community. If you like the Daily West Des Moines, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in West Des Moines.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in West Des Moines and across Iowa. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily West Des Moines
A free West Des Moines community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailywestdesmoines.com/sitemap