Good morning, West Des Moines.

AAA-Iowa warns that tonight is the deadliest night for child pedestrians as half of all Halloween crashes will involve alcohol—drivers are urged to arrange a sober ride and ensure trick-or-treaters cross safely.

Iowa DNR furbearer biologist Vince Evelsizer said mountain lions are still spotted in south-central and southeast Iowa from trail camera reports, and a collared mountain lion from Nebraska has been seen in northwest Iowa since August (with two to four black bears also noticed before they head into winter dens).

At MercyOne’s NICU, staff dress up newborns for their first Halloween to bring comfort to parents during a challenging time — baby Emmie, born ten weeks early, and other tiny patients received special costumes chosen with care.

Parents say the special gestures help create a bond during a tough hospital stay.

Iowa Reptile Show

10 AM – 4 PM — Hilton Garden Inn West Des Moines — VIP & General Admission tickets available at the door — Discover thousands of reptiles, amphibians, and supplies while engaging with local breeders.

Weekly Art Nights with Art is Rad

6-8 p.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — $10 per artist — Unleash your creativity with hands-on art activities for all ages and skill levels.

Holiday Social 2025

5-9 p.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — $30 per person — Enjoy appetizers and drinks at this festive community gathering.

Judges DSM Dining Experience

5:45-7:45 p.m. — Judges — Price varies — Enjoy elevated dining with creative dishes and house-made cocktails at this new Des Moines restaurant.

Russian Conversation Club

1-2 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Lighthearted conversations for both native speakers and those eager to learn Russian.

Des Moines Holiday Boutique

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — EMC Expo Center — $12 online; $14 at the door — Explore an array of unique gifts from over 130 local and national vendors this holiday season.

Weekly Art Nights with Art is Rad

6-8 p.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — $10 admission — Unleash your creativity with hands-on art activities for all ages and skill levels.

28th Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference

1:45-10:30 p.m. — Blank Children's Hospital Education & Research Center — Registration required — Gain insights into pediatric care with expert-led discussions and networking opportunities.

SCORE Lunch & Learn: Financial Foundations for Small Businesses

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Elevator Co-Warehousing Community — Free entry — Learn essential accounting skills and loan preparation strategies to empower your small business success.

Drop-In Tech Help

2-3 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free assistance — Get help with your devices at the library's drop-in tech support session.