Latest Des Moines Headlines
Drake will have "fan zone" at upcoming track meets
March 4, 2010
Drake University and the Des Moines Area Sports Commission announced today the creation of a “fan zone” that will be located adjacent to Drake Stadium for upcoming track meets.
Central Iowa Sports Awards presented
February 21, 2010
Winners for the first-ever Central Iowa Sports Awards were presented at The Meadows Ballroom at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino last night in Altoona.
In Des Moines, Downtown Is a Team Effort
February 16, 2010
Story by New York Times writer Keith Schneider.
100 Things That Are Getting Better
January 20, 2010
Oprah's list of 100 things that are getting better lists the state of Iowa as #32.
Barnes, Zimmerman lead nominees for local awards
January 14, 2010
Local athletes and teams nominated for first-ever Central Iowa Sports Awards, put out by the Des Moines Area Sports Commission.
45 Best New Midwest Spots to Play, Eat & Stay
January 14, 2010
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Downtown Des Moines makes the list in Midwest Living.
New maps help visitors, residents access area trails, culture
January 6, 2010
Two new maps showcase trails in Greater Des Moines and Downtown Des Moines, as well as public art.
State Fair receives 11 awards from expo group
December 25, 2009
The best of division and sweepstakes awards were among 11 Ag awards the Iowa State Fair received this month from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.
Des Moines Ranks #2 as Most Secure Place to Live
December 17, 2009
The rankings were based on:
- Crime statistics
- Extreme weather
- Risk of natural disasters
- Housing depreciation
- Foreclosures
- Air quality
- Terrorist threats
- Environmental hazards
- Life expectancy and
- Job loss numbers
Des Moines Best City for Business
December 16, 2009
Des Moines' strongest performance was in the unemployment metric, where it had the third-best ranking of all 101 cities. Its jobless rate was 6% in September -- one of three unemployment data points used -- far below the national average of 9.8% for that month.
NCAA Track Championships will be in Des Moines
December 15, 2009
The NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Track and Field Committee has selected Des Moines for its 2011 and 2012 outdoor track and field championships and Eugene, Ore., for the 2013 and 2014 championships.
Des Moines Ranked #4 Best Bang-For-The-Buck City
December 1, 2009
Affordable home prices and low unemployment help Des Moines nab the #4 spot on the Best-Bang-For-The-Buck city on Forbes.com.
Des Moines 17th Strongest U.S. Metro Economy
December 2009
The Des Moines metro, which includes the state capital, has a highly educated population, including many residents who work in the financial industry. Employment in the Des Moines metro peaked in the first quarter of last year.
Des Moines ranked most-livable bargain market
November 2009
MSN ranks Des Moines most livable bargain market based on affordability (ratio of median income to median home price), low unemployment, short commute times, cultural amenities and entertainment and great quality of life.
Forbes.com ranks Iowa the 15th Healthiest State in America
November 17, 2009
Site Selection magazine rates Iowa in top 15 states for business climate
November 16, 2009
Des Moines offers a wealth of military and sports history
November 9, 2009
Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center, Iowa Hall of Pride and Renaissance Savery Hotel are mentioned.
A Sculpture Garden Energizes Des Moines
October 30, 2009
New York Times features the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
Des Moines: Charming, impressive surprising
October 24, 2009
With a sophisticated art scene, major-league restaurants, eye-catching architecture and proud history, Iowa's capital city charms and impresses.
Des Moines ranked #8 Best Places to Launch
October 13, 2009
Once defined by rural stereotypes and wide-open spaces, Des Moines has attracted hundreds of new startups to its revitalized downtown neighborhoods in the past few years thanks to one big factor: Its stable economy.
New Art Parks Enliven Urban Centers
October 1, 2009
In late September, Des Moines saw the much-anticipated opening of the 4.4-acre John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
Iowa Hits the Foodie Radar
September 18, 2009
The Wall Street Journal's Raymond Sokolov checks out three Des Moines eateries, including Azalea Restaurant and Lounge.
Is Iowa Becoming the Next Hollywood?
September 17, 2009
A tax credit for movie producers is helping to create a new business boom in Iowa as films shoot across the state in September.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park gives Des Moines new heart
September 17, 2009
The two dozen sculptures that John and Mary Pappajohn gave to the Des Moines Art Center were recently appraised at about $40 million, which is thought to be the largest public gift in Iowa history.
NASCAR events to return to Iowa
September 15, 2009
NASCAR revealed the 2010 schedules for its three national touring series Tuesday and, as expected, Iowa Speedway in Newton remains a Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series stop.
Autumn colors are easy to find in Iowa
September 14, 2009
Whether you're on a river, in the woods or driving by the famed bridges of Madison County, autumn colors are easy to find in Iowa.
Vote online if you love the farmers' market
September 11, 2009
The Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market this week broke into the top 10 of a national Internet-based campaign designed to promote farmers markets and local food.
Des Moines Art Center to Open New Sculpture Park in Heart of Downtown Des Moines
September 10, 2009
On September 27, 2009, the Des Moines Art Center and the City of Des Moines will open a new 4.4-acre sculpture park in the heart of downtown Des Moines. The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, built directly within a major crossroads of the urban grid, is the largest such park in the United States.
Cost Control: Booking the Destination
September 7, 2009
For the second year in a row, Des Moines, Iowa, tops the list of most affordable U.S. cities to hold tradeshows in.
Look out below- Des Moines Art Center is adding space underground
August 27, 2009
Des Moines Art Center Director Jeff Fleming and architect Kirk Blunck stood about 100 feet west of the art center earlier this week to show how far out a planned $3.5 million addition will reach.
Bass Pro Shops creates buzz - and competition
August 26, 2009
The Altoona store is projected to draw 7 million people a year — roughly double what Prairie Meadows draws now. Altoona leaders believe Bass Pro, located a few blocks west of the casino, eventually will be the catalyst for roughly $200 million in new retail and commercial development.
Food on a stick is only the beginning when waddling through the Iowa State Fair
August 21, 2009
We love to yap about food on a stick during this time of year, but that’s only a part of what wows the crowd and elevates caloric intake at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
'Experiment' producer talks about Des Moines
August 21, 2009
Hollywood Movie Producer John Michaels is used to bigger cities. His last film, ‘13,’ starring Mickey Rourke, was shot in New York. But he’s high on Des Moines, its hospitality, its work ethic. ‘They’re very cool and down to Earth,’ he says of the people.
Basu: Welcome lights, camera and movie action in Iowa
August 19, 2009
A Hollywood movie producer enjoys Des Moines' hospitality, work ethic.
GDMCVB President Greg Edwards Talks Restaurant Week on KIOA 93.3
August 19, 2009
Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the GDMCVB, promotes Des Moines’ second annual Restaurant Week.
42 Restaurants Offer Deals on Dining
August 18, 2009
Some 42 Des Moines metro restaurants are planning to participate in Restaurant Week and offer special deals to get your dollars.
Rock legend Springsteen to play Sept. 21 in Des Moines
August 12, 2009
Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band will bring their "Working on a Dream" tour to Wells Fargo Arena.
Des Moines Unveils First Hybrid Bus
August 3, 2009
Hybrid buses are coming to Des Moines.
AAU Junior Olympics
August 1, 2009
AAU Junior Olympics officials estimate around 700 volunteers are currently working throughout the event.
“It’s a great sign,” said Al Lorenzen, vice president of sports development for the Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The city of Des Moines supports these events and volunteers is one of the ways that we see that.”
Balloon Classic celebrates 40 years of floating
July 30, 2009
It's hard to imagine a time when Indianola, Iowa, and hot air ballooning were not nearly synonymous. But it was the summer of '69 when the first national ballooning event was held in Warren County.
NASCAR, Junior Olympics To Boost Economy
July 30, 2009
The Des Moines area economy is expecting a big boost in the coming days as the Nationwide NASCAR race rolls into Newton and Junior Olympic Athletes head to downtown Des Moines.
Aug. 27 grand opening set for Bass Pro Shop in Altoona
July 29, 2009
The 145,000-square foot Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World will hold a grand-opening celebration Aug. 27.
Junior Olympics to bring economic infusion to Des Moines area
July 28, 2009
Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau President Greg Edwards said the Junior Olympics, which also visited Des Moines in 1995 and 2004, should again provide a "pretty substantial" economic wallop to local businesses. Al Lorenzen, vice president of sports and development for the visitors bureau, said organizers had set aside 24,000 hotel rooms as of last week.
America's Top States for Business
July 24, 2009
CNBC scored all 50 states—using publicly available data—on 40 different measures of competitiveness. (Iowa is #4.)
July 22, 2009
Starting next year, the Society of Italian Americans - Des Moines (SIA), which hosts the Festa Italiana, the Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa, and the Vittoria Lodge are hoping to join forces to present a bigger, better event with a new name, to be held on the Court Avenue bridge.
Move over, Napa Valley: We're No. 1
July 22, 2009
The Upper Mississippi River Valley covers a whopping 29,914 square miles and encompasses portions of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. That's 39 times the Napa Valley's 759 or so square miles.
Volunteers still needed for AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines
July 21, 2009
Volunteers or volunteer groups can sign up for one shift, a full day or a entire event at DesMoinesSports.com.
Des Moines' Meeting Markets
July 16, 2009
The July Issue of Association News spotlights two major expansions and other changes in the meeting markets taking place in Greater Des Moines.
Ankeny again named as Playful City USA
July 16, 2009
Ankeny is one of 22 cities around the country noted as a Playful City USA community for the third consecutive year.
Best Places to Live 2009
July 13, 2009
Urbandale (#42) and Ankeny (#62) made CNN Money's list of America's 100 best small towns.
Des Moines Ranked 20th In Safe Driving Report
July 8, 2009
Allstate Insurance Company said in a release Wednesday that Des Moines drivers rank 20th on a list of America’s 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency.
Gold Wing motorcycle association plans 2010 convention, record ride in DM
July 2, 2009
A national club plans to bring 8,000 Honda Gold Wing motorcycles to Des Moines a year from now and hopes to set a world record with a nine-mile continuous parade of riders through metro-area streets.
USA Track and Field Championships: Drake collects ideas on hosting next year
June 27, 2009
"I'm not above at all looking at what they're doing out here and getting ideas. They've set the bar pretty high and now it's Des Moines' job and our job to try to make sure we live up to that," said Al Lorenzen of the Des Moines Area Sports Commission.
New chef energizes Sbrocco's kitchen
June 25, 2009
Andrew Meek, formerly the chef/owner of Sage Restaurant, has taken over the kitchen at Sbrocco Wine Bar and Wine Shop.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park: The 24 sculptures
June 17, 2009
Des Moines philanthropists John and Mary Pappajohn have donated 24 works of art, valued at more than $25 million, to the Des Moines Art Center. The sculptures have begun to arrive in the Downtown Gateway Park. The Grand Opening is scheduled for September 26, 2009.
Des Moines economy rated 14th strongest
June 17, 2009
The Des Moines metro economy was the 14th-strongest in the nation in the first quarter of 2009, based on factors like employment, wages, home prices and foreclosures, a new report from the Brookings Institution shows.
DSM #12 in U.S. for Young Professionals to Work & Live
June 11, 2009
According to the Next Generation Committee, the seven indexes of a "Next City" are: Earning, Learning, Vitality, Around Town, After Hours, Cost of Lifestyle, and Social Capital. The rankings announced today are based on a city's total score in all seven indexes.
Chef George Formaro brings national notice to dining scene in Des Moines
June 8, 2009
Ten things you should know about George Formaro, the scruffy 41-year-old chef and co-owner of the successful Centro and Django restaurants in Downtown Des Moines.
Summer Vacation Idea: Living History Farms
June 8, 2009
Living History Farms offers family fun!
Sculpture park fills with beams of inspiration in Downtown Des Moines
June 5, 2009
The grand opening isn't scheduled until Sept. 26, but there has been a burst of progress in the past few weeks as crews installed several sculptures.
Downtown Des Moines: Parks, Art Architecture
May 26, 2009
ABC News Travel
Like many cities around the country, Des Moines has experienced a renaissance of its downtown and riverfront.
Second round of participants announced for 2009 Restaurant Week
May 19, 2009
Restaurant Week will take place August 21-20.
First round of participants announced for 2009 Restaurant Week
May 19, 2009
Restaurant Week will take place August 21-20.
Put a little past in your future with Midwestern living history
May 17, 2009
The Chicago Tribune featured a story on living-history museums, including Living History Farms in Urbandale, IA.
Market Season
May 15, 2009
AmericanWay magazine names Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market a must-see market.
Polk County leaders back renovation of Vets Auditorium
May 13, 2009
Polk County leaders vote to forge ahead with a $41.8 million makeover at Veterans Memorial Auditorium that they hope will attract more conventions to Downtown Des Moines.
Hotel Fort Des Moines will become a Hilton
May 12, 2009
Hotel Fort Des Moines will become Hilton Hotel Fort Des Moines late next year or early 2011.
Iowa ranked #6 bicycle friendly state
May 12, 2009
Iowa moves up 15 spots to #6 in the second annual ranking by the League of American Bicyclists.
Promo train to stop near market
May 8, 2009
Governor's Train Day Special will stop just south of the Downtown Farmers' Market tomorrow.
Fort Des Moines Museum to hold memorial, open house
The Fort Des Moines Museum will host a Memorial Day service for men and women in the Armed Forces at noon May 21.
