Good morning, West Des Moines.

Farmers must submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program by Friday—applications offer financial and technical help from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and local offices should be contacted for details.

Des Moines International Airport warns travelers that the government shutdown may affect flights because air traffic controllers work without pay — officials say the airport is running smoothly but trips to places like Nashville could face delays.

They recommend checking flight status on the airport website or the airline app.

Governor Reynolds announced yesterday that all state agencies will soon use the federal E-Verify system — along with SAVE — to verify work eligibility after controversy involving a former Des Moines public school superintendent and the arrest of Ian Roberts on immigration and gun charges. Her staff is working with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and will finalize details by the end of the year.

Tim Nash, an Iowa National Guard member and leader of Salute to the Fallen, urged lawmakers to reopen government as 1,800 troops deployed overseas have not been paid and face financial and mental health challenges from the shutdown—he said immediate action is needed to ease the stress on service members.

Iowa National Guard troops may not receive pay if the government shutdown continues past Oct.

15—families worry about covering costs while support services are ready to help service members fulfill their duties.

MercyOne Children's Hospital celebrates its 100th anniversary by installing little libraries filled with books at its pediatric clinics and sub-specialty locations.

The libraries offer selections for toddlers through high schoolers and are refilled weekly—aiming to provide comfort and entertainment during visits.

Mary Greeley Medical Center announced that it will stop accepting Aetna Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 because its review found unacceptable reimbursement rates, frequent coverage denials, and lengthy appeal processes—patients with this plan can still receive care next year but will be considered out-of-network.

Iowa farmers face growing stress as delayed federal aid—worth $10 to $13 billion—and dropping soybean prices and expired health care tax credits increase uncertainty, Matt Russell of the Iowa Farmers Union said.

He warned that these challenges may worsen mental health struggles for farming families.

Snippets: A Writers' Workshop for Short Works

10-11 a.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Registration required — Engage in a workshop reading and discussing short literary works with fellow writers.

Iowa Home Expo

10 AM – 5 PM — Iowa State Fairgrounds — Free admission — Explore home improvement projects and connect with local and national vendors.

Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course

1 PM-7 PM — Blank Children's Hospital Campus — Registration closed — Enhance your pediatric emergency care skills with this comprehensive training course.

Drop-In Tech Help

2-3 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free service — Get assistance with your devices in a relaxed drop-in setting.

The Outreach Project

1-3 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Connect with community resources and support services for local needs.

Disenchanted! The Hit Musical Comedy

2-4 PM — Temple Theater — Ticket info not provided — Experience the hilarious twist on classic fairy tales with Snow White and friends in this comedic musical.

DOOM GONG Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — xBk Live — Tickets starting at $63 — Experience an unforgettable night with the captivating sounds of Doom Gong.

Des Moines Career Fair

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Hilton Des Moines Downtown — Free entry — Connect with top employers across various sectors to take the next step in your career.

Storytelling with Analogies

4:00 – 5:30 p.m. — Principal Financial Group — Free entry — Discover how to make complex data relatable through creative analogies in an engaging, hands-on workshop.

Drop-In Tech Help

2-3 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free service — Get support for your electronic devices in a friendly environment.