Beauty can be found among the landscape, wildlife, people, events and communities of Iowa. If anyone has doubts about that, they simply need to peruse the winning photographs of the 16th Annual Keep Iowa Beautiful photography contest, which invites photographers to showcase Iowa’s natural and environmental beauty through their lenses and capture the essence of [...]
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Fireworks were an annual point of contention on our three-generation family farm. Grandma was agin’em. Grandpa was for’em, as were the four grandkids. Mom was Switzerland on this black powder issue. It was a standoff. Grandma’s vote weighed heavily against all others, but the deciding factor was beyond question: This was all in honor of [...]
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As of early 2026, commercial real estate in Des Moines is experiencing a rebound after recent drops in the market. While there are certainly ups and downs, CBRE Broker Ben Probst said the overall market is relatively strong with interest rates beginning to decline after rising in recent years. Demand fluctuates depending on the asset [...]
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The Des Moines Register’s latest subscription numbers are in, and they are not pretty. The bad news is not just for the printed editions, but let’s start there. According to a report from Alliance for Audited Media, for the six months ending March 31, 2026, the Sunday Register now has 19,571 subscribers, which includes single [...]
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Dozens of West Des Moines educators delivered a pointed rebuke of U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Valley High School alumna, during a May 16 rally that served as both a public condemnation of her record and a call to action ahead of Iowa’s closely watched U.S. Senate race. The event, organized by the newly formed advocacy [...]
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When the “Mortal Kombat” big-screen reboot bludgeoned its way into the mainstream back in 2021, it carried the weight of a pandemic-weary audience looking for pure, unadulterated escapism. While it offered flashy choreography and a highly anticipated dose of R-rated gore, it ultimately stumbled over its own self-serious tone, an overly long origin story, and [...]
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Knowing that George Formaro’s love of horror stories inspired Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, I used to assume that Gateway Market and Café was named after a bloody piece of American cultural history. The LaBianca family, murdered by Charles Manson’s followers, owned an identically named chain of stores. After all, Gateway here sits kiddy corner [...]
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Exactly two years ago, I was eagerly waiting for the premiere of “The Last American Gay Bar” at the Varsity Cinema here in Des Moines. My closest friends joined me in making this series that told the history of the gay community of this city, along with the untold story of the state’s oldest queer [...]
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Listen, it’s going to look like I’m talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI), but don’t run for the hills, don’t wring your hands, don’t fret. Father’s Day is coming up. So I’m really going to talk about my dad. Trust me. Let’s start with my dad. “Mankind has seen only a few occurrences which have been [...]
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Iowa Stage Theatre Company has a penchant for bringing unique programming through its play selections, and this thoughtfully developed niche of theirs gives Iowa audiences a deep dive into wonderful theatre. Samantha Hurley’s undeniably dark, comedic, brilliant script, “I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire,” is their next journey into great live theatre. Marvel at a [...]
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If you are looking for an expertly handcrafted cocktail in West Des Moines, don’t search for the word “bar” on the outdoor signage. Instead, look for a beauty salon and spa. Hidden inside Serenity Couture Salon & Spa in the former Wells Fargo building is West Des Moines’ newest speakeasy, The Atlas Room. No password [...]
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Fastball, the alt-rock trio that helped define late-1990s radio, is enjoying an unexpected comeback, and co-founder Tony Scalzo says the band is embracing every minute of it. “We are excited about getting this new vibe. It’s like we’re in a renaissance, more than we were 15 years ago when nobody wanted anything to do with us,” he [...]
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As Caty Elgin rides her horse, Smokescreen, during a jumping competition, she leans in, guiding the horse over a fence. As the horse clears it and other obstacles in record time, Elgin wins another riding competition. In addition to competing, Elgin teaches riding lessons and trains riders for competitions. She also retrains racehorses that have [...]
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The art world went to court this spring, a lot. In San Francisco the family of Armand Vaillancourt lost its legal fight to prevent The City from dissembling and moving his brutalist Vaillancourt Fountain from Embarcadero Plaza. San Francisco will spend $4 million to move the neglected political sculpture, labeled “one of urban America’s truly [...]
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With current gas prices soaring, car manufacturers continue to promote their fuel-efficient electric or hybrid models. This month’s Cars in the City features the 2026 Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid. The Volvo hybrid gets about 58 mpg equivalent when using both electricity and gas for short trips. Once the electric charge is used up, it gets [...]
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Siriaco Garcia is a prolific Chicano artist who has installed more than 60 commissioned murals in central Iowa and Minnesota under his nom de plume Siricasso. To our mind, he is redefining 21st century Iowa more than anyone else. Siricasso has covered walls mostly with scenes of hope and assimilation. He also paints more personal [...]
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Here’s betting District Judge Adria Kester does not read the Aspen Daily News. That Colorado newspaper’s front-page slogan declares, “If you don’t want it printed, don’t let it happen.” What happened to Judge Kester occurred outside of her usual venue — the 22 courthouses of north-central and northwest Iowa where, until recently, she served as [...]
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