Good morning, West Des Moines.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is waiving adoption fees for large dogs through Sunday to ease shelter strain after taking in over 500 animals — Hill’s Pet Nutrition is partnering to cover fees for dogs older than six months and weighing over 40 pounds.

Final Salute, a nonprofit, will honor 16 unclaimed veterans tomorrow at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.

The service will begin with a visitation at 9:30 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope in Waukee — marking its 100th burial.

Collins Aerospace plans to expand its West Des Moines manufacturing facility from 9,000 sqft to 14,000 sqft to meet rising customer demand for advanced fuel distribution systems.

Construction will begin late October and finish by mid next year.

Recent rains raised nitrate levels in Iowa rivers, though heavy storms today dropped them after a monitor near Granger recorded a peak of 10 mg per liter.

Iowa State researcher Matt Helmers said fertilizer runoff and soil mineralization caused the spike as crops didn’t absorb enough nitrogen.

In Iowa's race for state ag secretary, candidates compared views on ethanol today during taping of Iowa Press – Mike Naig underscored its $5 billion role in jobs and economy while Chris Jones warned it entrenches a system that harms water quality and farmland; the program airs tomorrow.

Drake graduate Abbie Whittemore beat a rare cancer that taught her to live in the moment.

Now in remission and working as a clinical research associate, she will join Light the Night at DMACC in Ankeny on Saturday night (tomorrow) to honor cancer survivors.

Twenty new restaurant openings have enriched the metro, offering cuisines from Lao and Thai to Korean fried chicken and sushi.

Venues in Des Moines, Waukee, and Urbandale (including drive-thrus and rooftop dining spots) opened in late summer and early fall, inviting locals to try fresh dining options.