Des Moines

Founded by two University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band alumni, Iowa Pride Ensembles debuted over the weekend with 70 marching musicians from across the state.

Pride Month celebrations across the nation are seeing sponsors reduce their support or withdraw it entirely in response to political pressure from the Trump administration. But organizers in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Iowa City say that, at least this year, they're finding ways to make up — and even exceed — the lost funds.

The rule from the Iowa Department of Administrative Services prohibits groups from holding more than one event per calendar year, which has forced the Des Moines Metro Concert Band to relocate its summer series.

Since the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Perry closed in June 2024, some former employees have pivoted to new careers. But the 8,000-person community is still recovering and working to fill the gap left behind by the largest employer in town.

Hundreds of arts groups across the country saw their National Endowment for the Arts grants suddenly revoked on May 2. The Trump administration has proposed new priorities for arts funding and has suggested eliminating the agency.

We revisit a conversation with celebrated author Joyce Carol Oates, recorded live at Des Moines Central Public Library May 30, 2024.

Global Greens helps former refugee and immigrant farmers grow and sell food in Iowa. With federal funding freezes, cuts and uncertainty, staff are exploring new ways to bring in dollars.

The Waterloo Center for the Arts is home to the largest publicly held collection of Haitian art in the country, having grown to over 2,000 pieces. Though facing NEH grant cuts, a collaborative exhibition at the Des Moines Art Center hopes to bring attention to the full collection.

Property owners unexpectedly painted over multiple murals on University Laundry in Des Moines to prep the building for sale, including an image of the late civil rights leader, Freedom Rider and U.S. Rep. John Lewis.

Over 700 people in Polk County are waiting for help getting into housing as homeless shelters continue to operate at overflow capacity. But finding affordable housing isn’t the only challenge — there’s also the problem of staying housed.