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Iowa's 1st participant in world's toughest horse race bids farewell ahead of Mongolia trip
A big send-off party was held in Central City on Thursday night for Cedar Rapids firefighter Shelby Van Weelden, who is one of about 40 international riders and the first Iowan ever chosen to participate in what some say is the longest and toughest horse race in the world: the Mongol Derby.
Casey’s Buys Nearly 200 Stores In Texas, Alabama, Florida And Mississippi
Ankeny, Iowa — The Ankeny-based Casey’s convenience store chain announced the acquisition today Friday of 198 stores in the southern US that includes 148 in Texas and 50 in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Casey’s is purchasing the CEFCO convenience stores for more than one-point-one BILLION dollars. Casey’s CEO...
Des Moines University to offer free physicals, medical services for students ahead of fall semester
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines University will offer free physicals and other medical services later this month for students returning to school this fall, a service the university has offered for more than 10 years. Video above: Des Moines University partnering with other local schools to bring simulation...
Genesis Youth Foundation, Iowa Workforce Development to host job fair
Genesis Youth Foundation, a nonprofit serving immigrant youths and families, announced it will host a job fair on July 31 in partnership with Iowa Workforce Development. The event aims to assist the immigrant and refugee communities with finding new employment opportunities following the Tyson and Smithfield plant closures. The job fair will be held from 1-3 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope + Elim, 2500 University Ave. in Des Moines. For more information, call 515-343-0149.
Individual Summer Sports Statistics Part 4: Noah Kading and Jayla Hoover
With the summer sports season over, we take a look at individual statistics for AC/GC baseball and softball players. For the baseball team, junior Noah Kading started in all 25 of the team’s games, recording 75 at bats, 10 runs and 27 hits, of which 25 were singles and two were doubles. He also had 14 RBI’s, 29 total bases, a batting average of .360, on base percentage of .437 and slugging percentage of .387. He also attempted to steal bases nine times, and was successful on seven of those attempts.
Blank Park Zoo tortoise gets CT scan after fracture
CLIVE, Iowa — It's not just humans who need CT scans every once in a while. The video above shows pictures posted by Iowa Radiology. The pictures show Blank Park Zoo's beloved Aldabra tortoise named Kihanna. Kihanna has a pelvic fracture and needs bed rest, but she has plenty...
Blood drive planned for Aug. 1
DES MOINES – Local physicians call summertime trauma season. The need for blood rises and the number of blood donations seems to decline creating a scary situation for the community blood supply. All blood donors are being urged to donate as soon as possible. Someone requires a blood transfusion...
To century loop or not? Riders contemplate 100 miles on Day 6 of RAGBRAI 2024
FAIRFIELD — As fatigued RAGBRAI riders inched closer to the finish, they were confronted with a key question on Friday: To century loop or not to century loop? The John Karras Century Loop, dedicated to the late RAGBRAI co-founder, is an optional addition to the route that allows riders to hit 100 miles for the day. People who achieve the feat are rewarded with a patch. ...
Ag advocates gather for CommonGround National Conference
Eight Nebraska CommonGround Volunteers recently attended the National CommonGround Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. CommonGround Nebraska is made of a group of farm and ranch women who have conversations with consumers about food and is supported by soybean and corn farmers. The conference included a panel of state ag leaders...
Nurse awaiting trial on drug conspiracy charges agrees to stop practicing
A Des Moines nurse charged last year with conspiracy to deliver controlled substances has agreed to stop practicing. Jennifer Spieker, 42, of Des Moines has signed an agreement with the Iowa Board of Nursing in which she has agreed to stop practicing nursing and have her license placed on “suspended” status. The board says Spieker […]
Urban Dreams requests community support as it hosts final youth programs of summer
Urban Dreams, a Des Moines-based community center, is asking for community support in connection with its youth summer program events, which are wrapping up this month. Community members are invited to the last Summer City Hoops, which features free food and basketball games, at 4 p.m. today at Evelyn K. Davis Park. The final Community Courtyard event is scheduled for 4 p.m. July 31 at 1410 Sixth Ave. In a letter to the community, Urban Dreams Executive Director Izaah Knox wrote that community events like these offer alternatives to “disruptive behaviors” for young people. Knox also called on nonprofits, businesses and individuals to consider ways to engage local youths. “Urban Dreams has been at the forefront of providing weekly Community Connectivity events and programs aimed at entertainment, positive engagement for everyone, and redirecting the energy of our youth toward positive activities,” Knox wrote. “However, the scale of this task is immense, and we cannot do it alone. We need your help to expand our reach and enhance our impact.” To read Knox’s full letter, click here.
The Greenleaf Center and Tito’s Handmade Vodka team up to enhance Des Moines Community Garden
Love, Tito’s, the philanthropic heart of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, is working to support The Greenleaf Center as part of the Love, Tito’s Block to Block program. The Greenleaf Center is a nonprofit whose mission is to cultivate a space for Des Moines Parks Area neighbors and friends to gather and grow fresh produce.
Meet 'the mustache guy,' one of the many pilots competing at the National Balloon Classic
INDIANOLA, Iowa — This Friday marks the beginning of the National Balloon Classic in Indianola. It’s the biggest competitive ballooning event in the U.S., with organizers likening it to the Indianapolis 500 of the ballooning world. The National Balloon Classic has been coming to town since the 70's....
Beauvy, May Earn Cobalt Golf All-American Scholar Honors
NORMAN, Okla. - Iowa State rising juniors Paul Beauvy and Zach May have been named to the 2023-24 Cobalt Golf All-American Scholars Team. To be eligible for Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their Associate's Degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, they must participate in 50% of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, under 78.0 in NCAA Division II, under 79.0 in...
Iowa State All-American Thinking 2028 Summer Olympics
Iowa State wrestler Casey Swiderski as a special guest coach. He is flourishing as a member of the cyclones wrestling team, and he thinks things are only going to get better. The Michigan native talked about the future.
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