From volunteer to executive director, Rachel Woodhouse’s passion for philanthropy impacts young women
Rachel Woodhouse celebrated one year in the role of executive director at Young Women’s Resource Center on Nov. 1, but her time with the organization began much earlier. Woodhouse began volunteering at YWRC in 2012 shortly after graduating from college when she was trying to figure out how she wanted to begin her...
Ames’ new $16M waste facility could spark curbside recycling program
Ames is mulling a curbside recycling program with plans to purchase nearly 15,000 bins as part of its new solid waste approach. The city will lean on recycling as they move away from the waste-to-energy method employed by the current Resource Recovery Center. The city intends to construct a new Resource Recovery and...
I Asked 5 Chefs for the Best Vanilla Ice Cream—and Now I’ll Never Buy...
Nearly every dessert lover has their own definition of the perfect ice cream. From the flavor to the consistency to the mix-ins, toppings, and even the vessel it’s served in, there are a lot of hot takes on this cool topic, including store-bought frozen desserts vs. homemade. "I love...
Disruptive Audiences: The Decline of Etiquette at Public Performances
In the world of live performances, respect for the artist and fellow audience members is paramount. However, a recent incident at a comedy show at Hoyt Sherman has sparked a heated debate on social media. Audience members, who paid a considerable amount to enjoy the show, were left frustrated and disappointed by the...
Microsoft Donation Supports Holiday Food Assistance for West Des Moines Families
Microsoft has donated funds to the West Des Moines Human Services Friends Foundation to support the Holiday Food Assistance Program for 2025. The program offers food vouchers of up to $75 to more than 500 income-eligible households in West Des Moines, Iowa. These vouchers help families buy groceries for holiday meals...
Des Moines Man Charged with Computer Fraud
On October 15, 2025, a federal grand jury in Des Moines charged a Des Moines man with computer fraud. The Indictment alleges that Ezekiel Dean Potter, 34, after being terminated by his employer in April 2023, accessed or attempted to access to the employer’s computer systems without the employer’s authorization. When...
Woman recounts years of abuse before boyfriend killed her mom
A year after her parents were shot while helping her move out of the home she shared with an abusive boyfriend, Jasmyne Robison appeared in a Polk County courtroom and told the man who killed her mother and critically wounded her father that she wished she had never met him. “I will never get the time back with my...
#3 Hawkeyes skunk #19 Panthers on Friday night in Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa was no safe haven for the #19 Pittsburgh Panthers on Friday night. In fact, other than potentially swiping a Carver cone on the way out the door, the visitors won’t have much of anything positive to take with them back to the east coast. Such is life after a 36-0 dual shutout at the hands of the host...
The Grinch will be in Des Moines in December!
"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" will be at the Des Moines Civic Center Dec. 16-21.
When a minority leader stumbles, the whole community pays the price
“Catch Me If You Can” is one of my favorite Broadway musicals. It’s about the story of Frank Abagnale, a man who impersonated a pilot, doctor, lawyer and more, without ever finishing high school. I love singing the song “Fly, Fly Away,” which is sung by Abagnale’s love interest, Brenda. She acknowledges the false...
