🌱 Des Moines Digest
Issue #61 |Monday, OCTOBER 12, 2026
Everything You Need for a Great Des Moines Week!
Good Morning, Des Moines!
Today is the day to be outside. It reaches about 87°F, roughly 20 degrees above normal for mid-October. Tuesday is still pleasant, but a cold front moves in and Wednesday cools off. Take your lunch to a patio today and pack a jacket for midweek.
This issue has plenty to dig into. A group wants to build a roughly 6,000-seat soccer stadium just north of the Principal headquarters. The IMT Des Moines Marathon celebrates its 25th year on Sunday. Author Becky Chambers visits the Temple Theater on Wednesday.
Make it a good week, and I’ll see you out there.
No judgment here. But we all have a type. Which one are you? 👇
It’s 87° in mid-October. How are you spending the last warm hurrah?
🌤️ THIS WEEK’S WEATHER
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High | 87°F | 76°F | 66°F | 61°F | 55°F |
Conditions | ☀️ Sunny | ⛅ Partly sunny | 🌧️ Rain likely | 🌦️ Showers | 🌤️ Sunny, windy |
Rain % | 0% | 10% | 90% | 80% | 10% |
Monday is the best day to be outdoors, with sunny skies and temperatures near 87°F. Tuesday brings cooler weather, while Wednesday and Thursday look wet, so keep an umbrella handy. By Friday, temperatures drop into the mid-50s, with sunshine returning but a chilly breeze.
📰 News Digest
📰 What's Happening in Des Moines Metro
⚽ MLS Next Pro Pitches a Downtown Des Moines Stadium
Hometown Soccer Holdings, Sporting Kansas City and MLS Next Pro unveiled a plan to relocate Kansas City’s MLS Next Pro team to Des Moines. It includes a roughly 6,000-seat stadium on a surface lot north of Principal’s headquarters, estimated at $55–65 million. The pitch comes after the city’s talks with Krause+ broke down. Mayor Connie Boesen says the city is evaluating it.
Business Record
🏥 Polk County Health Department Braces for Budget Cuts
A regionalization plan for Iowa’s local public health departments takes effect in 2028. Director Juliann Van Liew says it could mean a cut of about $150,000 for Polk County. The cut would come from grants that currently fund local health departments through Iowa HHS.
Business Record
🌺 Sammons Gives $20,000 to the Botanical Garden’s Pineapple Program
The program lowers cost barriers to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. It offers free admission and one-year household memberships for Iowa WIC and SNAP cardholders. If you’ve been meaning to visit, this is a good reason to go.
Business Record
🛵 Cities Wrestle with the E-Moto Boom
Bicycle advocates are working with cities on e-motos, which are often sold and marketed as e-bikes. Waukee passed an ordinance in July, and its police chief called them “electric dirt bikes.” If you’re buying one for a kid, check your town’s rules first.
Business Record
🏫 DMPS Hires a New District Spokesperson
Aaron Jaco, a communications veteran with nearly 20 years of experience, takes the job at $120,058 a year. He replaces Amanda Lewis, who was promoted to communications, marketing and public affairs director.
Business Record
🏗️ Studebaker Elementary Expansion Breaks Ground
Studebaker is the fifth Des Moines school to get updates under the district’s facilities plan. Construction is now underway.
Business Record
🏘️ Five Main Street Iowa Businesses Win State Grants
Five small businesses from Main Street Iowa districts share $75,000 in state grants. It’s a good week to shop small.
Business Record
🍹 The Ultimate Guide to Des Moines Happy Hours
Need a good excuse to get out this week? Des Moines has plenty of spots where you can grab a drink, a bite, and a little after-work downtime without spending a fortune. From downtown favorites to neighborhood spots, happy hour is one of the easiest ways to enjoy more of the city for less.
We rounded up the best of it — happy hour specials, local bars and restaurants, drink deals, food specials, and more — in one guide.
📚 WEEKLY STUDY TIPS
Brought to you by Camp Homework
📚 Fresh Strategies for Parents and Students — New Tips Every Issue!
🎒 Create a launch pad. Keep backpacks, shoes, lunchboxes, and school essentials in one spot to make mornings less stressful.
⏰ Try a 10-minute homework start. Encourage your child to work for just 10 minutes. Getting started is often the hardest part!
🧠 Use active recall. Instead of rereading notes, ask your child to explain what they learned without looking at the book.
📵 Set a screen-free study zone. Keep phones, tablets, and other distractions away during homework time.
⭐ Celebrate effort, not just grades. Praise persistence, problem-solving, and improvement to build confidence and a love of learning.
Learning doesn't stop when school is out. Camp Homework helps students build confidence, strengthen skills, and stay ready for the school year ahead. Learn more at camphomework.com.
🎟️ EVENT SHOWCASE
📍 Court Avenue District, Downtown Des Moines
🗓️ Sunday, October 18, starting 8 a.m.
The marathon turns 25 this year, and the half marathon, relay and 5K run alongside it. The course shows off the skyline, with neighborhoods, campuses and parks along the way. You don’t have to run to enjoy it. Grab a coffee, find a cheering spot and ring a cowbell for strangers. Last year most road closures ran about 6 a.m. to noon, so check the race’s closure map before you drive.
BIG EVENTS
Event | Date | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Wed 10/14, 7 p.m. | Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St. | Ticketed | |
Thu 10/15, 6:30 p.m. | Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St. | Ticketed | |
Opens Fri 10/16 (through 11/1) | Des Moines Playhouse | Ticketed | |
Sat 10/17, 11 a.m. | Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. | Ticketed | |
Sat 10/17, 7:30 p.m. | Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St. | Ticketed | |
Sun 10/18, 8 a.m. | Court Avenue District | Free to watch; race entry varies | |
Sun 10/18 | Val Air Ballroom, West Des Moines | Ticketed | |
Coming up: Monty Python’s Spamalot | Oct 20–25 | Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. | Ticketed |
SMALL & LOCAL FAVORITES
Event | Date | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Every Sat through 10/31, 8 a.m.–noon | Historic Court District, 300 Court Ave. | Free to browse | |
October 13 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | East Side Library | Free | |
October 13 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | $17 – $20 | |
October 13 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm | Hoyt Sherman Place | $39.50 – $90.50 | |
October 14 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | North Side Library | Free | |
October 14 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Hoyt Sherman Place | $60 | |
October 14 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Temple Theater | $38.50 | |
October 15 - October 25 | Blank Park Zoo | Free | |
October 15 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | South Side Library | Free | |
October 15 @ 5:15 pm - 8:15 pm | Des Moines Art Center | $125 | |
October 15 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | $29.75 – $35 | |
October 15 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | Free |
We want to hear from you! Des Moines Digest exists to help locals find the best things to do, see, and explore across the metro — but we can only make it better with your input. Tell us what sections you love, what you skip, and what you wish we covered more. Whether it's a hidden gem, an event type, or just a quick "keep doing this" — we're all ears. Your feedback shapes every issue, so hit reply or click below and let us know. This digest is for you, Des Moines! 💬
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Thanks for starting the week with us, Des Moines. See you Thursday! 🌱
— Alex | Des Moines Digest 📘
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