April 18, 2024 Des Moines , IA — VA Central Iowa Health Care system has earned a 91.9% trust rating with Veterans they serve, according to just-released survey results. These results are in line with national VA trust survey results that show Veteran trust across the country in VA outpatient care sits at 91.8%. The national number is an increase from 85.6% in 2018 (the first year since VA began conducting this survey). “We are very proud of these results,” said VA Central Iowa Patient Experience Officer McKenzie Bahl. “We work intentionally to make sure each Veteran is seen, heard, and ha ..read more

(Des Moines, IA) The Des Moines Latino Film Festival is set to commence its Fourth Annual festival tonight, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience in the vibrant world of Latino storytelling. One of the highlights of the festival will be the exclusive Q&A sessions with the talented directors and producers behind some of the featured films. Following select screenings throughout the festival, audiences will have the chance to engage in thought-provoking discussions with these visionary filmmakers, delving deeper into the themes, inspirations, and challenges behind their work. “We a ..read more

(April 16, 2024) – Keep Iowa Beautiful is thrilled to announce the three students who will receive $1,000 Keep Iowa Beautiful scholarships toward their studies at an Iowa college or university. Isabelle Bolton of Camanche earned the Byers Scholarship. Bolton plans to attend Iowa State University studying Environmental Science and Global Resource Systems. This scholarship is named in honor of educator Bob Byers, whose dedication to young people and environmental concerns was a driving force encouraging young people to help improve their communities. Chloe Zittergruen of Keswick earned the Fultz ..read more

(West Des Moines, Iowa – April 17, 2024) – Bank Iowa today announced the addition of three local lenders to the bank’s fast-growing commercial lending team. All three bankers will serve businesses operating within the $2 billion community bank’s West Des Moines region. Jake Brower, Erik Moen and Aaron Patterson, all seasoned professionals with collective local banking experience of more than 30 years, are joining Bank Iowa as relationship managers. Each brings with him a deep understanding of the financial needs of growing businesses. The new lenders are all native Iowans with degrees from Mid ..read more

“Unsustainable” is a fascinating word, especially when it is used in government and politics. Merriam-Webster, the dictionary folks, tell us unsustainable means something cannot be continued or supported. But in governmental affairs, that definition sometimes gets changed. Instead of something truly being incapable of continuing, the word often means the person using the term simply does not want that “something” to go forward. Understanding this distinction can help us better parse the statements our politicians make. Here is a real-life example to illustrate this difference: Back in Decembe ..read more

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Education today awarded over $1.7 million in competitive grants to 20 Iowa school districts focused on aligning secondary career and technical education programs with student attainment of industry-recognized credentials. The Credentials to Careers grant awards will support high school students earning credentials with labor market value. “By expanding opportunities to attain an industry-recognized credential in high school, the Credentials to Careers grant helps connect the classroom to the workforce,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Sno ..read more

Our homeowner’s insurance carrier a few weeks ago sent me our annual premium notice for the 12-month period beginning April 10, 2024. The valuations of our house, garage, and personal property had climbed almost 7% higher than they were for the previous 12-month period. That wasn’t a surprise. In fact, I was somewhat gratified by what the carrier says is the replacement cost of our property now. But the premium! Ay, there’s the rub. It was more than 50% higher than the previous 12-month renewal contract. How could that be? I had no idea. So I took the new premium notice and the one from a yea ..read more

From Iowa’s cultural epicenter, Mainframe Studios at 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, comes your Listener-supported Community Voice. The Award-Winning independent radio station, KFMG-LP 98.9 FM (streaming simultaneously at www.kfmg.org) brings you music, literature & cultural content. – John Busbee for The Culture Buzz, a KFMG Charter Program The Culture Buzz Archive Library – https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz 2014 Iowa Governor’s Award for Partnership & Collaboration in the Arts 2015 Iowa History Award for published magazine story, “Last Full Measure of Devotion” 2018 – vo ..read more

DES MOINES – (April 7, 2024) – This morning, more than 700 people raised $234,000 at the 2024 Fight For Air Climb Des Moines, locally presented by EMC Insurance Companies. The event supports more than 375,000 people living with lung disease in Iowa. Climbers of all skill levels raced to the top of four downtown Des Moines buildings to raise awareness and money to fight lung disease through research, education, and advocacy. “Thanks to the determination of our climbers, sponsors, and donors we raised $234,000 to help ongoing efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease in Iowa,” said Micki Sandq ..read more

Des Moines, IA – April 2, 2024 – The Union Park, North of Grand, and Woodland Heights neighborhoods will be joining Invest DSM’s active neighborhoods as Special Investment Districts in 2025. These districts will identify priority improvements aimed at enhancing the quality of life and economic vitality of their neighborhoods through a year-long planning process that will involve residents and business owners. Areas currently eligible for Invest DSM’s grants include Columbus Park, Drake, Franklin, and Oak Park/Highland Park. “We are excited to expand our geographic footprint to serve more of De ..read more