Des Moines IA

“Frank Hansen openings always flirt with lawlessness,” reads a description of the Des Moines artist’s work from 2009. “This year his show will feature a painting that needs to be driven like a car.”. At that point, Hansen was well on his way to carving out a...

This hip (and let’s be honest, not-so-secret-anymore) East Village spot has racked up both local love and national attention as one of the best new bars in Des Moines. So…what’s the story behind it?. We sat down with The Contrary’s owner, Billy Weathers, to get the story...

When Steve Perlowski and Jennifer Finch opened Finski’s in February, they hoped to provide a place where people could settle in, share a good meal, and feel welcomed. In the nearly two months since, Finski's , which gets its name from a combination of the owners' surnames, has quickly become a gathering spot for diners from Huxley and beyond. “It feels elevated but comfortable,” Finch...

The City of Baxter is in the process of doing something that occurs once every ten years, and residents are encouraged to help. Baxter City officials are updating the community’s Comprehensive Plan, which community leaders use to help guide their decisions on matters pertaining to the city’s future.

A Texas woman was arrested in late March after allegedly trying to replace real diamond earrings with fake substitutes at a West Des Moines jewelry store. Breona Yvonne Johnson, 33, of 114 Wood Hollow Circle, Houston, was charged with first-degree theft. The incident began about 7 p.m. March 26 at...

The pharmacy sector is undergoing a massive contraction, and Walgreens is currently executing a sweeping, multi-year plan to shutter hundreds of locations nationwide by the end of 2026. In Iowa, the drugstore giant is scaling back its brick-and-mortar presence this May to reduce real estate costs and adapt to shifting consumer healthcare habits. Several underperforming stores across the state, including prominent...

Polk County’s manufacturing scene is buzzing this month, with solid openings for folks who like to lead teams, keep operations running smoothly, and make sure quality stays top‑notch.

Mustangs boys and girls track hits the road to Norwalk today as the Warriors are hosting a coed track meet for DCG and six other schools this afternoon and evening. The boys were last in action last week at the junior varsity/varsity meet at the DCG High School Track. The Mustangs had placements in at least the top five in nine different events...

The week of March 29-April 4 saw outdoor track and field, golf and soccer take center stage in Iowa female high school sports. The Ames area saw the Ames girls track and field program travel to Waukee to compete at the Northwest Invitational on March 31. Gilbert competed at the North Polk quadrangular in Alleman, Roland-Story ran at Bondurant and the Collins-Maxwell and Colo...

A candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives is facing disciplinary charges from a state licensing board. Erin Helleso, a state-licensed social worker and owner of Candor Recovery & Consulting in Johnston, is charged by the Iowa Board of Behavioral Professionals with “assuming a secondary role” with a client while failing to avoid conflicts of […]