Des Moines

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.

The Broadway hit Hadestown has made several stops in Iowa this year on its national tour. Production Stage Manager Molly Goodwin, who grew up in Davenport and attended Luther College, oversees every aspect of the show from backstage.

Iowa’s latest movie star is a 150-pound Great Dane from Newton. The dog, named Bing, stars alongside Naomi Watts and Bill Murray in The Friend, in theaters April 4. Here’s how Bing was discovered and what it was like for the four-legged actor to film in New York City.

Some Iowans at the Trans Lives Festival in Des Moines say this may be their final time celebrating in the state, given a law stripping Iowa's Civil Rights Act of gender identity protections goes into effect July 1.

IPR’s Cece Mitchell documented her experience at Girls Rock! Des Moines' annual We Rock music retreat, an adult version of their youth camp.