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Des Moines Public Schools mourn passing of Brody Middle School principal
DES MOINES, Iowa — Students and faculty in Des Moines Public Schools are mourning the loss of a longtime middle school principal. Brody Middle School Principal Thomas Hoffman, 57, died due to illness, the district announced Friday. Hoffman served as principal at Brody for 12 years. The district says...
LIST: Cooling centers available in Polk County
DES MOINES, Iowa — Dozens of cooling centers will be open around the Des Moines metro starting Sunday as Polk County activates its extreme temperature plan. The Local 5 Weather team anticipates temperatures will rise into the 90s, with heat indices coming in near 100°. Dangerous heat and humidity are expected to continue until Wednesday.
Sinkhole in Marion County reappears a year later
MARION COUNTY, Iowa — A sinkhole in Marion County that first appeared in May 2023 has reopened in the same exact spot. Last year, the sinkhole was believed to be caused by a nearby limestone mine owned by Bruening Rock Products. Earlier this month, another sinkhole appeared in nearly...
Iowa Board of Regents approves tuition hike for all three public universities
URBANDALE, Iowa — Students at Iowa's three public universities will pay more in tuition this upcoming school year. The Iowa Board of Regents voted Thursday to increase resident undergraduate tuition by 3% at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. The board also approved a 2% increase in tuition for resident undergraduate students at the University of Northern Iowa.
Overnight homicide investigation underway in Polk County
POLK COUNTY, Iowa — A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found dead. The Polk County sheriff's office said they responded to a shooting after 1 a.m. near Runnells. Authorities said the victim was inside the home. The Iowa DCI is also helping in the case. Deputies...
Locals asked to hold off on watering their lawns due to high nitrate levels
DES MOINES, Iowa — Data from the early 1990s to present day shows nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers are at nearly all-time highs. That's according to Des Moines Water Works CEO Ted Corrigan. It means Des Moines Water Works is kicking filtration into high gear,...
Des Moines police: 2 injured in Thursday evening stabbing incident
DES MOINES, Iowa — Two people were injured in a stabbing Thursday evening, Des Moines police said on X. The stabbing occurred on 21st Street in Des Moines. Both victims were transported to a local hospital. "Indications are that all involved are accounted for [and] there is no ongoing...
2 babies born in May relinquished to Iowa HHS under Safe Haven Act
IOWA, USA — Two babies are now in the custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Safe Haven Act. The infants, a baby girl born May 15 and a baby boy born May 26, mark the third and fourth "Safe Haven babies" of 2024. Earlier this year, Iowa HHS gained custody of two other babies under the Safe Haven Act.
Meskwaki Nation police: Continued search for Rita Papakee yields 'area of interest'
TAMA COUNTY, Iowa — Meskwaki Nation police believe they have located an "area of interest" related to the disappearance of Rita Papakee, according to a press release. Police began a search of the Meskwaki Settlement on June 8 and completed the search Wednesday. The search was conducted alongside the...
Meet Kevin: The Guinness World Records tallest dog that lives in Iowa
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — On average, a Great Dane stands at around 2'6" to the withers, also known as the shoulders of the dog. Kevin the Great Dane on the other hand, whose name comes from the popular movie Home Alone, stands tall at 3'2". That's around the height of an average 3-year-old.
Giving back to the repair crews rebuilding the Greenfield community
GREENFIELD, Iowa — A small restaurant in Greenfield has given back free food and ice cream to the search and rescue teams that are assisting in rebuilding the community weeks after a deadly, EF-4 tornado swept through the city of approximately 2,000 people. The Tiger Drive-In has been serving...
Iowa HHS holding public comment sessions to improve access to behavioral health services
IOWA, USA — Iowa Health and Human Services is hosting a series of public comment sessions as the department works to establish new behavioral health districts. The state plans to create a new behavioral health service system that combines existing networks, partnerships and service regions to ensure "equitable access to a full continuum of prevention, treatment, recovery and crisis care."
Things to do in Des Moines this weekend: Art Week, Juneteenth celebration and more
DES MOINES, Iowa — Whether you're celebrating Father's Day, Juneteenth or Pride, there's an event for every occasion this weekend. Local 5 rounded up five events taking place around the metro to help you make the most of any celebration. Have an event you want featured in Local 5's...
'A very serious disease': Experts warn of dangers of West Nile Virus
DES MOINES, Iowa — Some mosquitoes in Des Moines have tested positive for West Nile Virus, the city said in a press release. In response, the city is conducting additional spraying to reduce local mosquito populations. The positive mosquitoes were collected in north central Des Moines last week and...
Iowa faces drop in education rankings in annual report | What experts say is the cause
DES MOINES, Iowa — An annual report shows Iowa's education ranking has dropped four spots, and while the overall ranking may seem high, data shows some dramatic discrepancies. The Annie E. Casey Foundation releases an annual report, the Kids Count Report, looking at state trends in child well-being. Iowa...
What we know about the Iowa instructors stabbed in China
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — The four Cornell College instructors who were stabbed in a park in China are expected to make a full recovery, according to U.S Sen. Chuck Grassley. The Associated Press reports those victims were teaching in China through a partnership with Beihua University. The suspect bumped...
Hamilton's Funeral Home in DSM offers free cremation for Greenfield pet owners
DES MOINES, Iowa — Hamilton's Funeral Home in Des Moines is offering free pet cremation services to Greenfield pet owners who lost their pets in the deadly, EF-4 tornado that swept through the city three weeks ago. The funeral home said it wanted to offer its services for free,...
Des Moines People's Pride fostering queer community 'away from cops and corporations'
DES MOINES, Iowa — Pride Month festivities are ongoing through the end of June, and this weekend, Des Moines People's Pride will return for its second year. Leah Plath, founder and organizer of Des Moines People's Pride, started the event in 2023 after drawing inspiration from Minneapolis People's Pride.
Johnston Green Days starts Thursday | Full schedule, performance lineup
JOHNSTON, Iowa — With a plethora of carnival games, a bags tournament and even fireworks, there's plenty to do at Johnston Green Days this week. The free event begins on Thursday at 5 p.m. in Terra Park. Read on below for a full schedule of the celebration. Learn how...
LifeServe Blood Center opens new headquarters in Johnston
JOHNSTON, Iowa — LifeServe Blood Center has officially opened its new headquarters in Johnston, while also closing its previous HQ in downtown Des Moines' East Village. The changes can be seen reflected on the locations tab of their website. In an August 2023 press release, LifeServe announced that Des...
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