Good morning, West Des Moines.

After four years of danger, the Afghan Zaki family began rebuilding their lives in West Des Moines this spring when they landed at the Des Moines International Airport with local support; they now work to enroll in school and rejoin three older children who did not qualify for a special immigrant visa – their community remains committed to helping reunite the family.

Today, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said the corn and soybean harvest is moving ahead despite the government shutdown that halted USDA crop reports—he noted that farmers experience mixed yields with some areas facing reduced output from wet weather and southern rust while soybean production remains strong. He warned that the missing reports are delaying conservation payments and limiting access to operating loans for farm expenses.

The Iowa Department of Transportation closed eastbound lanes on I-80 from Grand Prairie Parkway to the Southwest Mixmaster from 8:30 p.m. Monday until 5 a.m. Tuesday—drivers must follow a marked detour for southbound I-35 or eastbound I-235, and similar closures are set for Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Military veterans, active service members, and first responders are invited to join Jester Park’s free Horses Helping Heroes therapy program in Granger — which has supported our nation’s heroes since 2016 — as it offers riding and non-riding activities to build skills in a safe setting; the session begins at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday and requires online registration and a copy of an ID.

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.

The Outreach Project

1-3 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Connect with community resources and support services at the library's outreach event.

Spooky Science

9 AM – 4 PM — Science Center of Iowa — Free for SCI members — Enjoy hair-raising experiments and creepy-crawly critters at this family-friendly Halloween event.