🌱 Patch AM: What Johnston residents should do if they spot sick or dead birds

Good day Johnston! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What Johnston residents should do if they spot sick or dead birds
• How Johnston’s state representative is reshaping Iowa’s 2026 governor’s race

Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 30 and low of 23 degrees.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 36, low: 23.
• Sunday: Periods of clouds and sun, with a high of 40 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Iowa bird rehab overwhelmed by avian flu calls (kcci.com) — Johnston residents are among those increasingly calling Iowa Bird Rehabilitation about sick or dead waterfowl, as avian flu reports surge around the Des Moines metro. Experts urge people not to touch affected birds, to keep pets away, and to report clusters of carcasses to wildlife officials while resources remain stretched thin.
   

• RADIO IOWA: Top political stories of 2025 (radioonthego.com) — Johnston residents may notice their own State Representative Eddie Andrews now in the crowded Republican race for Iowa governor, part of a major reshaping of state leadership in 2025. The recap also covers Governor Kim Reynolds’ decision not to seek reelection, new cell phone laws affecting drivers and schools, and the emerging U.S. Senate campaigns that will dominate Iowa politics in 2026.
   

📸 Around Johnston

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Johnston

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday January 5

• Johnston City Council Meeting
  Johnston, IA Calendar , 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410 , Johnston
  7:00 pm

📣 Johnston Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Monday January 5

• 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

Tuesday January 6

• Girls Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (JV1)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  4:45 pm
• Boys 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
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (JV2)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  6:15 pm
• Boys Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (Varsity)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  7:45 pm
• Girls Basketball: Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines East (JV2)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  7:45 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Tree Board Meeting
  Grimes, IA Calendar
  5:30 pm

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 Johnston 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

• 8:40pm 12/31/25
  Brown/tan pittie type dog with an orange reflective collar running south along IA 141 near timber ridge lane in grimes. Potentially injured (Nextdoor Green Meadows West)

• WesleyLife posted a job opening for Medical Billing Specialist in Johnston. Apply here.
• Government Jobs posted a job opening for Police Officer in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.

🗞 Nearby News

Grimes

• Comic Store In Your Future - A Crazy Way To End 2025 (bleedingcool.com)

Ankeny

Ok Johnston! 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 just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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