Local
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Why it took nearly a century to bring Halloween to Des Moines
Halloween is on October 31, but did you know that for decades, that wasn’t true in Des Moines? Discover a unique piece of local Halloween history.
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With pen and purpose, Art Cullen confronts Iowa’s agricultural water crisis
Iowa journalist and author Art Cullen penned a book about the state’s issues with water pollution. He’ll be promoting it at the Iowa City Book Festival in October.
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This is the best scotcheroo recipe in Iowa, as awarded by State Fair judges
Darvin Graham makes the best scotcheroos in Iowa. Those may be fighting words in certain church basements and at some school bake sales, but by decree of the Iowa State Fair — the highest of culinary judges around these parts — Graham holds this ooey gooey, chocolatey, peanut buttery title.
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Guide to Pikes Peak State Park: Camping, hikes, fees, & more
There is plenty to do in Pikes Peak State Park, from hiking to birding to hunting for fossils. Discover one of Iowa’s top nature destinations.
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Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest: 14 past winners to try
Iowa’s Best Pork Tenderloin Contest has been held annually since 2003, and you can check out these 14 winning restaurants that are still open today.
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Iowa elementary school, grocery store, restaurants cited for food safety violations
Restaurant inspection update: Rodents, flies, larvae and gnats by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch September 22, 2025 State, city and county inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants, schools and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations during the past several weeks, including offenses related to rodents, cockroaches, long-expired food, moldy hummus and operating without a license. The…
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Iowa Girl Scouts Troop 535 is building confidence, character, and culture
Troop 535 is the first official bilingual group of Girl Scouts in Iowa. Here’s how the girls are building a sense of culture and community within their troop.
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Trump administration backtracks on Iowa water safety rules
A group of clean water advocates in Iowa has filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to back down on changes designed to ensure water safety in the state.
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The Athletic says this Iowa City ‘college bar’ is among best in nation. See its ranking
A longtime favorite sports bar in Iowa City has been called one of the best “college bars” in the United States by The Athletic.
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Iowa teacher fired over Charlie Kirk post sues school district for infringing free speech
A former teacher is suing Oskaloosa Schools and its superintendent, alleging a violation of his constitutional free speech rights after he was fired for comparing conservative activist Charlie Kirk to a Nazi on social media following Kirk’s slaying.
