Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
The Simpsonian · Des Moines, IA
Nearby: Des Moines, IAI am someone who is always down for a concert. My ideal concert would be at a small venue or even a dive bar rather than a stadium concert. One of my favorite venues is Wooly’s in downtown Des Moines, which has a capacity of just under 700 people. From almost anywhere in the venue, you can see the stage and get a good view of the performer. Not to mention, smaller performers often work harder to make a stronger connection with their fans. I have met artists like Braxton Keith and Wyatt Flores while simply waiting in line to watch them perform. There is something special about getting to wish your favorite artist good luck before they step on stage. It creates a more personal experience that you will not find at a stadium show. One of the best parts of seeing smaller artists is watching them grow. I saw Megan Moroney perform on the free stage at the Iowa State Fair in 2023. About nine months later, I saw her at Vibrant Music Hall for around $40.
Iowa Capital Dispatch · Des Moines, IA
Nearby: Des Moines, IAThe Iowa Board of Medicine is fighting to sanction an emergency room physician who allegedly “drank to excess and used cocaine, opiates, mushrooms, and marijuana,” often within 24 hours of working. According to the Iowa Board of Medicine, Dr. Chad Becker, who once practiced at UnityPoint Health’s Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, admitted routinely consuming an excessive amount of drugs and/or alcohol prior to 2022, resulting in a referral to the Iowa Physician Health Program for treatment. According to the board, Becker ultimately chose not to comply with the program’s requirements and so the issue of his substance abuse was referred back to the board in November 2022. In February 2026, the board ruled a license suspension of 90 days was warranted, as was an $8,000 civil penalty. Becker then went to Polk County District Court, seeking judicial review of that sanction as well as the board’s subsequent refusal to grant him a new hearing on the matter.
Mapleton Press · Des Moines, IA
Nearby: Des Moines, IAHeath Streck, Schleswig native, was currently named as the Medical Center Director for the Iowa City VA Health Care System. Streck retired from military service with 34 years of combined experience in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve, bringing significant leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management expertise to his VA roles. He began his VA career in April of 2009 as the Chief Financial Officer for the VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, and then transitioned in 2014 to the Iowa City Health Care System as the Associate Director/Chief Operating Officer. Throughout his VA career, Streck has held multiple key positions, including serving as Acting Director of the St. Cloud VA Health Care System and Associate Director of the Montana VA Health Care System.
Church News · Waukee, IA
Nearby: Waukee, IAAMES, Iowa — Protecting religious liberty is essential to regain the social cohesion that many feel has been weakened in the United States, Elder Alexander Dushku, a General Authority Seventy, said about religious liberty and human flourishing during the keynote address at the Iowa Religious Freedom Day Symposium on Oct. 15. Religious liberty fosters mutual respect, said Elder Dushku, who is also The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ general counsel. “When we protect one another’s freedom to believe and worship, we honor the inherent dignity of each person, and we build the trust and social cohesion essential in a pluralistic nation like ours, whose system of government requires us to work together.” The all-day symposium was co-sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Iowa State University’s Center for Cyclone Civics, among other local sponsors.
The Simpsonian · Indianola, IA
Nearby: Indianola, IAThe Simpson College volleyball team advanced to the American Rivers Conference semifinals after defeating Coe College 3-1 Tuesday night in Indianola. The Storm won the match 25-22, 19-25, 25-21 and 25-19 to secure their spot in the next round of the tournament. Simpson finished with 49 kills and a .159 hitting percentage, compared to Coe’s 38 kills and .090 hitting percentage. The Storm also recorded seven blocks, while holding the Kohawks to four. Simpson secured home-court advantage after finishing the regular season with an 18-9 record and a 4-3 conference record. Coe came into the match with a 10-18 record overall and a 3-4 record in conference play. Alongside their offensive dominance, they gained advantages in blocks and hitting percentage. Senior Emily Williams led the way with a team-high 17 total points, with 16 of those being kills. With a hitting percentage of .316, she was also able to add in six digs during the game.
The Simpsonian · Indianola, IA
Nearby: Indianola, IAIndianola Police Chief Rob Hawkins has retired effective immediately at 55-years-old, according to the city of Indianola. According to the Independent Advocate, this change in leadership was announced via email on Thursday, Nov. 5, from Indianola City Manager Jacob Meshke. Lieutenant Rick Largesse has taken over as acting chief of police for the Indianola Police Department. It is unclear what has prompted this sudden change. Hawkins had held the position for only 11 months after being named chief in December of 2025. Hawkins has been removed from the police department’s staff directory, and the city of Indianola has begun its recruitment process to find a permanent replacement. The Independent Advocate highlights Hawkins career. Sharing that he first became a law enforcement officer in 1997 with the Pella Police Department in Pella, Iowa. Hawkins later moved to Indianola’s Police Department in 2000, becoming chief of police in December.
