Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What fireworks are actually legal in Des Moines this New Year’s Eve?
Coming up on the Des Moines Patch calendar: New Year's Eve Party
Good morning Des Moines! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What fireworks are actually legal in Des Moines this New Year’s Eve?
- Inside the Des Moines volunteers rolling 1,000 burritos every Thursday night
- How new AEA rules are changing school budgets from Des Moines to Osage
Also on today's calendar: New Year's Eve Party and 9 more events.
Find out what's happening in Des Moinesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Des Moinesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Periods of sun; not as cold, with a high of 38 and low of 30 degrees.
- Wednesday: Cloudy, temps: high: 39, low: 15. ⛄️ Brr!
- Thursday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 29 and low of 22 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. New Iowa law clears way for fireworks on New Years (who13.com) — Des Moines residents can now legally set off fireworks on New Year’s Eve under a new state law, but only on private property and within specific hours. The city has updated its ordinance to comply, while still banning fireworks in parks and other public spaces, and local stands are open with winter deals for those planning celebrations. 
2. Burritos, bikes and compassion fuel Des Moines food ministry (kcci.com) — A Des Moines-based volunteer group is quietly feeding hundreds of hungry and homeless neighbors across the metro every Thursday. Urban Bicycle Food Ministries prepares about 1,000 burritos plus sandwiches and drinks in a Capitol Hill Lutheran Church basement, then delivers meals and cold-weather gear with a focus on consistency, compassion, and personal connection.
3. Rural, urban schools explain how they're navigating AEA law changes (cbs2iowa.com) — Des Moines readers are seeing firsthand how Iowa’s new Area Education Agency law is reshaping school budgets, staffing, and services across the state. Urban districts like Waukee are boosting salaries and hiring support staff, while smaller rural districts juggle tough tradeoffs and urge lawmakers to set per-pupil funding on time so they can plan. Heartland AEA is also adapting to the pay-for-service model.
4. KCCI Investigates: New dreams for Des Moines Children's Museum with move in 2026 (kcci.com) — Families in the Des Moines area can look forward to a much larger, permanent Des Moines Children’s Museum opening in 2026 at the former Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines. Backed by state and county grants plus a successful fundraising campaign, the move from Valley West Mall will expand hands-on exhibits, outdoor play areas, and potentially future daycare and preschool programming.
5. Drake Relays and Iowa Sports Foundation promote health goals for 2026 (kcci.com) — Des Moines runners and walkers can already start planning for the 2026 Drake Road Races, which kick off Relays Week on April 18 with 5K, 10K, and half-marathon options. A new partnership with the Iowa Sports Foundation encourages residents to lock in resolutions now and train through the Live Healthy Iowa 10 Week Wellness Challenge starting January 12, 2026.
📸 Around Des Moines
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Des Moines
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- New Year's Eve Party
Smash Park Des Moines 6625 Coachlight Dr West Des Moines, IA 50266
11:00 am - Noon Year's Eve Ball Drop
Paws & Pints , 6218 Willowmere Dr , Des Moines
12:00 pm - Girls Basketball: North Polk vs Des Moines Roosevelt (JV1)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
6:00 pm - Girls Basketball: North Polk vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Varsity)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
7:30 pm - Boys Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (JV1)
East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
4:45 pm - Girls Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (JV1)
East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
4:45 pm - Boys Swimming: Ottumwa vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Varsity)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
5:30 pm - Boys Swimming: Ottumwa vs Des Moines Roosevelt (Junior Varsity)
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
5:30 pm - Girls Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (Varsity)
East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
6:15 pm - Social Saturday: SNOW DAY
Des Moines Art Center , 4700 Grand Ave , Des Moines
11:00 am - Smells Like Nirvana Tribute & Dead Original Live in Concert
Wooly's , 504 E Locust St , Des Moines
8:00 pm - Time Travel Half-Marathon (and 5k/10k) - Des Moines
Altoona Aquatics Park , 1200 Venbury Dr , Altoona
9:00 am
Wednesday December 31
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Saturday January 10
Sunday January 11
📣 Des Moines Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Des Moines PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- This male pup was wondering the parking lot at Grace United Methodist church on 3700 Cottage Grove, DSM IA 50311.
He was not wearing a collar and is not microchipped. He was fed, and he was very hungry and thirsty. He is now at the ARL animal services building… (Nextdoor Easter Lake Area) - Lost cat around 3820 east 27th street yesterday 12/27 around 4pm he is small for his age only 6lbs and 4 yrs old offering reward if found , he hates the cold and wind so he is probably hiding someplace out of the elements or if you have taken him in
please reach out. 515-321-5743 Homer has returned home thank you everyone bless you all!’n (Nextdoor Douglas Acres)
- McDonald's posted a job opening for McDonalds Janitorial in Des Moines. Apply here.
- Deloitte posted a job opening for Seasonal Tax Delivery Manager - Global Employer Services in Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Des Moines here.
Ok Des Moines! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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