🗞️ Des Moines Digest — Issue #2 | Thursday, April 3, 2026

Your weekend in one line: Don't let Thursday's rain fool you — the weekend is looking up. Here's everything worth getting off the couch for. 🌱

Every great city invests in its future. Des Moines just made it official — and this one is personal.

The Iowa Hero Academy is back for 2026, and applications are open right now. This one-of-a-kind free program is designed for young women aged 16–18 in Central Iowa who want to explore careers in firefighting, policing, and the military. It's run by the Des Moines Police Department, the Des Moines Fire Department, and the Iowa National Guard — and it is unlike anything else available to young women in this state.

For one full week at Camp Dodge in Johnston, campers get hands-on training in firearm simulations, defensive tactics, hydrant and hose activities, and search and rescue drills. They hear from career panels of real first responders, emergency management leaders, and elected officials. They push their limits. They discover what they're capable of. They leave different than when they arrived.

This isn't a summer camp. It's a launchpad.

If you have a daughter, a niece, a neighbour's kid, or a young woman in your life who has ever looked at a police car or fire truck and felt something — this is for her.

📅 Camp Dates: July 26–31, 2026 | Camp Dodge, Johnston, Iowa 📋 Application Deadline: April 25, 2026 (that's coming up fast!) 📧 Apply at: [email protected]

It's free. It could change her life. Tell every family you know.

Last November, Des Moines residents made history. Nearly 74% of voters approved the largest school bond in Iowa history — $265 million dedicated to transforming Des Moines Public Schools. Construction has officially begun.

Here's what's coming for your family:

New Maker Spaces at 3 Middle Schools This summer, construction begins on brand-new 6,000-square-foot career and technical education maker spaces at Brody, Goodrell, and McCombs middle schools. These aren't just classrooms — they're hands-on learning labs built around healthcare, digital technology, and computer science. Students will start exploring real career pathways in middle school, years earlier than before.

A Brand New Arts-Focused School Design and groundbreaking will begin this year on a new arts-focused school at the Moulton site. For families who want a creative, performing arts pathway for their child, this is a game-changer.

High School Renovations on the Way Year 2 projects are already in early planning, targeting North, Lincoln, Hoover, and Meredith Middle School — meaning the improvements are coming to every corner of the district.

Signature Schools Expanding Over the next five years, DMPS will expand schools aligned with STEM, Dual Language, Career and Technical Education, and Montessori — giving Des Moines families more choices than ever before.

"These are not just rooms," said Interim Superintendent Matt Smith at the State of the Schools address. "They are launchpads. Spaces where students begin exploring careers, passions, and possibilities."

📅 Next School Board Meeting: April 7, 2026 | 5:00 PM | 1200 Locust St — open to all public 👉 Follow progress at: reimagine.dmschools.org

SUFFS is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that tells the story of the women who fought — and fought hard — for the right to vote. It's powerful, it's funny, it's musical perfection, and it's playing right here in Des Moines at the Temple Theater this Friday and Saturday only.

This is a perfect date night, girls' night out, or a genuinely great show to bring a teenager to. Don't miss it.

📅 Friday, April 3 — 7:30 PM 📅 Saturday, April 4 — 7:00 PM 📍 Temple Theater, Downtown Des Moines 🎟️ Tickets at desmoinesperformingarts.org

Start planning now. One of the greatest rock bands in history is rolling into Casey's Center on Wednesday, April 8 — and this is one of those nights you'll be talking about for years.

Whether you're a lifelong fan or you just want to belt out Don't Stop Believin' with 18,000 of your closest Des Moines neighbors — get your tickets before they're gone.

📅 Wednesday, April 8 — 6:30 PM 📍 Casey's Center, Des Moines 🎟️ Tickets at caseyscenter.com

🟢 Fri Apr 3 — SUFFS The Musical | Temple Theater | 7:30 PM | desmoinesperformingarts.org

🟢 Fri Apr 3 — Blank Park Zoo Play + Do | Blank Park Zoo | 10 AM–2 PM | Hands-on family activity day | blankparkzoo.com

🟢 Fri–Sat Apr 3–4 — 5K Beer Run x Big Grove Brewery | Big Grove DSM | Fun run + craft beer | Eventbrite

🟡 Sat Apr 4 — SUFFS The Musical | Temple Theater | 7:00 PM | Last chance! | desmoinesperformingarts.org

🟡 Sat Apr 4 — Blank Park Zoo Play + Do | Blank Park Zoo | 10 AM–2 PM | blankparkzoo.com

🟡 Sat Apr 4 — Beaverdale Farmers Market — Spring Opening 🌱 | Beaverdale | Morning | Free

🔵 Sun Apr 5 — Blank Park Zoo Play + Do | Blank Park Zoo | 10 AM–2 PM | Free with zoo admission

📅 Mon Apr 7 — Julia Quinn Live (Author of Bridgerton!) | Hoyt Sherman Place | 7:00 PM | hoytsherman.org

📅 Wed Apr 8 — JOURNEY Concert 🎸 | Casey's Center | 6:30 PM | caseyscenter.com

📅 Fri Apr 24 — Nate Bargatze | Casey's Center | 7:00 PM | caseyscenter.com

K–6 Tip of the Week 🎒 Make reading feel like a treasure hunt. Before your child starts a chapter, ask them to predict what happens next — and write it on a sticky note. After reading, check together. Kids who predict while they read retain up to 40% more of what they read. Simple, fast, and it actually works. Try it tonight!

6–12 Tip of the Week 📖 The 2-minute rule for homework dread. If your teen is avoiding starting an assignment, tell them they only have to do 2 minutes of it. Just 2 minutes. Almost every time, they'll keep going — because starting is the hardest part. Motivation follows action, not the other way around. Pass it on.

Struggling with more than study tips can solve? Camp Homework offers affordable K–12 tutoring with real human tutors — not AI — starting at just $150/month. They meet your child where they are and help them actually get there.👉 camphomework.com

Every issue of the Des Moines Digest features a local business our community should know about. Here's what a Business Spotlight gets you:

It's free to apply. We pick businesses we genuinely believe our readers will love.

👉 Apply for your Business Spotlight here — desmoinesdigest.com/spotlight

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Early advertisers get founding partner rates — locked in before our list grows.

👉 Interested? Reply to this email or reach out directly: [email protected]

Thanks for being a neighbor, Des Moines. See you Tuesday! 🌱

— Alex | Des Moines Digest 📘 facebook.com/desmoinesdigest | 📸 instagram.com/desmoinesdigest