🌱 Patch AM: Why are Johnston residents seeing more sick birds this winter?

Good morning to you Johnston! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why are Johnston residents seeing more sick birds this winter?
• How is Johnston’s own Eddie Andrews reshaping Iowa’s 2026 governor race?
• Could Johnston become Iowa’s next dark-sky stargazing destination?

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny and colder, with a high of 29 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 33, low: 21.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 38 and low of 22 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 and 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 dead birds to wildlife officials while rehabilitators struggle with limited resources and a growing caseload.
   

• Top Iowa Political Stories of 2025 (radioiowa.com) — A Johnston-based lawmaker, Republican Representative Eddie Andrews, is now in a crowded race for Iowa governor, putting the city’s name into a major 2026 contest. The broader recap highlights big shifts in the governor’s and U.S. Senate races, new statewide cell phone laws, and ongoing fights over the Summit carbon pipeline.
   

• One Iowan's quest for darker skies might benefit rural Iowa (voiceofalexandria.com) — A striking night sky photo taken just outside Johnston highlights a growing push to protect dark skies across rural Iowa. Organizer James Bruton is encouraging communities to adopt “dark sky” lighting ordinances that cut light pollution, lower energy costs, and potentially attract astrotourism. While no specific Johnston ordinance is proposed yet, the effort could shape how nearby towns light homes, businesses, and parks.
   

📸 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

Thursday January 1

• Civil Service Commission- no meeting held
  Urbandale, IA Calendar , 3600 86th Street , Urbandale
  9:00 am

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

• Licensed and insured contractor has immediate openings.
  No job too small. Call, text or email Wayne for a free quote. 515-724-4153. (Nextdoor Eagle Ridge)

• National Mentor Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Referral and Assessment Coordinator in Johnston. Apply here.
• Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches posted a job opening for Crew Member in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.

🗞 Nearby News

Grimes

• Overnight closures on I-80/35 in metro starting Sunday (who13.com)
• West Des Moines has a new population count. What the numbers mean (desmoinesregister.com)
• Comic Store In Your Future - A Crazy Way To End 2025 (bleedingcool.com)

Urbandale

• SNAP food restrictions take effect Jan. 1 across Iowa (kcci.com)
• Iowa's top news stories of 2025 (wvik.org)
• The 18 most competitive housing markets in Iowa (southernminn.com)

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 heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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