Des Moines

We meet Henry Menniga, a remarkable young resident of Des Moines who was awarded the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award for his work promoting voter education and community service. Henry and his mom, Molly, talk about the start of his civic interests, a mock election when he was 4. Then, we talk with University of Iowa law scholar Josephine Gittler about why she drafted legislation that is now law, requiring Iowa high schoolers to pass the U.S. citizenship test. And, Iowa State University's Karen Kedrowski and Kelly Shaw discuss the new Center for Cyclone Civics. The center aims to increase civic education and engagement at the university level. (This episode was originally produced Aug. 4, 2025.)

UnityPoint nurses in Des Moines voted this week on whether to unionize. But the final result is delayed due to contested ballots.

Immigration advocates say an Afghan man was detained, questioned and released by ICE in Des Moines on Tuesday. Afghan community leaders and advocates report many families are feeling fearful and anxious in the wake of the Trump administration's sweeping immigration restrictions.

A conversation with author Kevin Wilson about his novel Run for the Hills, recorded at the Des Moines Public Library. Wilson and Charity Nebbe talk about reading out loud, Wilson's writing process and why his book sales spike in December.

A report commissioned by the Des Moines Public School Board found that the search firm it used to hire former Superintendent Ian Roberts in 2023 committed several errors in the process. The report avoided placing blame on school board.

The announcement of the venue's closure by the end of the year marks another blow for Des Moines' local music scene.

After coming to an abrupt conclusion in 2023, the long-running book sale once run by Planned Parenthood North Central States is starting a new chapter under the leadership of a new, volunteer-run nonprofit.

Monica Holt, a nationally recognized arts leader and former senior vice president of artistic planning at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will serve as DMPA's next president and chief executive officer.

Fifty years after resettling in Iowa, younger generations of Iowa's Tai Dam community are looking to strengthen their ties to their heritage.

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation's AR Mural Project is the latest investment in interactive art in central Iowa.