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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta.

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Rob Sand says he'll work to end privatized Medicaid on Day 1

The state's Medicaid program has been run by private agencies for the last 10 years.

Health

Iowa Gov.-elect Rob Sand says he&#x27;ll begin the process of ending Iowa&#x27;s decade-old Medicaid privatization system on his first day in office, but the transition won&#x27;t happen overnight.Why it matters: The end of privatized Medicaid would be one of the most dramatic changes to Iowa&#x27;s health care systems in 10 years, but Sand has criticized the program, saying it prioritizes profits over patients.

Shaun Cassidy returns to Des Moines with holiday show

The former teen idol reflects on aging, screaming fans and his next act.

Holidays

Shaun Cassidy is bringing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his holiday show" data-vars-click-url="https://hoytsherman.org/event/shaun-cassidy-unwrapped/" data-vars-content-id="05651529-c488-4fc9-bd98-36a56e73f8f9" data-vars-headline="Shaun Cassidy returns to Des Moines with holiday show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hoytsherman.org/event/shaun-cassidy-unwrapped/" target="_blank">his holiday show</a> &quot;Unwrapped&quot; to Des Moines&#x27; Hoyt Sherman Place later this month.Flashback: Cassidy, 68, is the son of actors Jack Cassidy and Oscar-winning actress Shirley Jones.<ul><li>He rose to fame in the 1970s with the No. 1 hit &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Da Doo Ron Ron" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGIyCf_DFug" data-vars-content-id="05651529-c488-4fc9-bd98-36a56e73f8f9" data-vars-headline="Shaun Cassidy returns to Des Moines with holiday show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGIyCf_DFug" target="_blank">Da Doo Ron Ron</a>&quot; and with TV&#x27;s &quot;The Hardy Boys Mysteries&quot; before becoming a successful writer and producer of shows such as &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American Gothic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111880/" data-vars-content-id="05651529-c488-4fc9-bd98-36a56e73f8f9" data-vars-headline="Shaun Cassidy returns to Des Moines with holiday show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111880/" target="_blank">American Gothic</a>&quot; and &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Amsterdam" data-vars-click-url="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10936094/" data-vars-content-id="05651529-c488-4fc9-bd98-36a56e73f8f9" data-vars-headline="Shaun Cassidy returns to Des Moines with holiday show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10936094/" target="_blank">New Amsterdam</a>.&quot;</li></ul>

West Des Moines office park could become a neighborhood

Development

A sprawling West Des Moines office park that once housed some of the metro&#x27;s prominent companies could be transformed into apartments, shops and a hotel.Why it matters: Regency West is a mostly vacant, dated office park in a prominent spot next to Interstate 235.

West Des Moines housing development could bring 2,200 homes

The joint project will offer a range of housing.

A new housing development could bring 2,200 homes to the western side of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="West Des Moines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/11/09/dallas-county-democrat-republican-dominance" data-vars-content-id="d46e2a1c-c695-4a6e-ad7a-d8eefaaf46cd" data-vars-headline="West Des Moines housing development could bring 2,200 homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/11/09/dallas-county-democrat-republican-dominance" target="_self">West Des Moines</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Trail West project" data-vars-click-url="https://jerryshomes.com/communities/des-moines-area/west-des-moines/trail-west" data-vars-content-id="d46e2a1c-c695-4a6e-ad7a-d8eefaaf46cd" data-vars-headline="West Des Moines housing development could bring 2,200 homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jerryshomes.com/communities/des-moines-area/west-des-moines/trail-west" target="_blank">The Trail West project</a> will bring more housing and pricing options to the growing western suburbs.

Des Moines local businesses celebrate Black Friday, Small Business Saturday

Support the community by purchasing from locally-owned shops.

Culture

Celebrate Des Moines&#x27; local businesses during special shopping events this weekend, from Black Friday to Small Business Saturday.Why it matters: Des Moines is filled with creatives, entrepreneurs, and artisans — supporting them not only boosts the local economy, but it&#x27;s also more fun than elbowing people at Target.

Jolly Holiday Lights moves to Iowa State Fair, goes private

The event will no longer be hosted by Make-A-Wish Iowa.

A private company is taking over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jolly Holiday Lights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/12/jolly-holiday-lights-changes-walking-outlets-adventureland" data-vars-content-id="6cb1bd50-a188-4679-ace5-0956cc152ed9" data-vars-headline="Jolly Holiday Lights moves to Iowa State Fair, goes private" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/12/jolly-holiday-lights-changes-walking-outlets-adventureland" target="_self">Jolly Holiday Lights</a> after Make-A-Wish Iowa opted to stop hosting the annual winter event.Why it matters: For decades, the cherished Des Moines tradition was a major fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Iowa, which grants wishes for critically ill children.

Ingersoll shops are handing out candy for trick or treaters

Ingersoll Avenue is hosting its own trick-or-treating event on Oct. 23.

Things to Do

If you&#x27;re looking for a unique trick-or-treating experience this year — don your costumes and stop by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ingersoll&#x27;s local businesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theavenuesdsm.com/trick-or-treat-on-ingersoll-avenue-halloween/" data-vars-content-id="0df8c590-c735-4b7f-a136-76e25153e62f" data-vars-headline="Ingersoll shops are handing out candy for trick or treaters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theavenuesdsm.com/trick-or-treat-on-ingersoll-avenue-halloween/" target="_blank">Ingersoll&#x27;s local businesses</a>.Driving the news: The Avenues of Ingersoll &amp; Grand is hosting a family-friendly trick-or-treating event with local businesses along the corridor.

Jordan Creek Halloween pop-up restaurant and bar opens in West Des Moines

The new Halloween pop-up experience is at the former Champs location.

Food and Drink

If you&#x27;re feeling creepy crawly this month, stop by &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nightmare at Jordan Creek" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563954730149" data-vars-content-id="baad7a57-003d-4767-b698-eb29521dd545" data-vars-headline="Jordan Creek Halloween pop-up restaurant and bar opens in West Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563954730149" target="_blank">Nightmare at Jordan Creek</a>&quot; — the mall&#x27;s newest Halloween pop-up experience.Driving the news: The owners of The Station on Ingersoll opened the &quot;elegant and spooky&quot; space Tuesday night at the former Champs location near Century Theater.

How Irish immigrants settled across Iowa

St. Patrick&#x27;s Day is Sunday and we&#x27;re celebrating how Irish immigrants helped shape the state.Why it matters: Iowa&#x27;s Irish immigration story isn&#x27;t much different from what draws immigrants here today — the push from inhospitable lands and the pull of a more fertile place to call home.<ul><li>Today, 13% of Polk County residents claim Irish heritage. That&#x27;s higher than the national 9.5% average.</li></ul>

Thrifting around Des Moines for the holidays

We visit three different stores to check out potential gifts.

Linh here. The older I get, the more I think about my daily consumption of just &quot;stuff.&quot;Why it matters: Consuming today just takes a click. But at least one study shows that a home with too much stuff can actually lead to higher levels of anxiety,<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" according to Time" data-vars-click-url="https://time.com/3741849/americas-clutter-problem/" data-vars-content-id="8561a890-1333-4918-95ab-29be0817065a" data-vars-headline="Thrifting around Des Moines for the holidays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://time.com/3741849/americas-clutter-problem/" target="_blank"> according to Time</a>.

Play some Iowa bingo this Thanksgiving

Have some fun while observing the weird nuances of a classic Midwest holiday.

No Thanksgiving is complete without your very own Iowa bingo card.

Midwest potluck food that people love (or love to hate)

From White Castle sliders to Jell-O desserts, Midwest cuisine raises eyebrows and nostalgia.

Potluck foods like meaty casseroles and Jell-O concoctions are stalwarts in Midwest households.Why it matters: These casual events are unifiers, bringing people together amongst sprinkled bacon bits and greasy goodness.

Avian flu isn't gouging turkey, egg prices this Thanksgiving

While avian flu is still spreading, not as many flocks have been killed this year because of it.

2022&#x27;s massive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="avian flu outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/26/us-avian-flu-outbreak-2022-worst-record" data-vars-content-id="2f3082d1-b168-4496-b42b-2ee8b01ede0e" data-vars-headline="Avian flu isn&#x27;t gouging turkey, egg prices this Thanksgiving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/26/us-avian-flu-outbreak-2022-worst-record" target="_self">avian flu outbreak</a> is still spreading across the country, but its impact on meat and egg production is less widespread this year.Why it matters: Expect lower <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turkey and poultry prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/15/thanksgiving-turkey-price-drop-2023-holiday-meal" data-vars-content-id="2f3082d1-b168-4496-b42b-2ee8b01ede0e" data-vars-headline="Avian flu isn&#x27;t gouging turkey, egg prices this Thanksgiving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/15/thanksgiving-turkey-price-drop-2023-holiday-meal" target="_self">turkey and poultry prices</a> this Thanksgiving.

Des Moines Thanksgiving travel peaks

Charted: When Des Moines veterans served

Bar chart showing the periods of service for veterans in the Des Moines metro area, from a 2023 estimate. 30.9% of veterans in the area served after September 2001. 21.2% served in the Gulf War, 29.5% in the Vietnam era, 3.9% in the Korean War, and 0.8% in World War II.

When Des Moines's veterans served

Axios Votes: Des Moines should move Beggars' Night

A bar chart that illustrates public opinion on moving Beggars' Night in Des Moines. 52.8% support holding it on Halloween night, while 19.4%favor the last Saturday of October. 27.8% prefer to keep the tradition unchanged.