🌱 Patch AM: What Iowa’s next abortion pill fight could mean after Urbandale clinic closure

Cheers Urbandale! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What Iowa’s next abortion pill fight could mean after Urbandale clinic closure
• Why an Urbandale grandmother joined protests against ICE in Des Moines

Today's riddle: I am on a seafood diet. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 36 and low of 29 degrees.
• Monday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 51, low: 37.
• Tuesday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 54 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Will restrictions on medication abortion in Iowa emerge during the 2026 legislative session? (thegazette.com) — Iowa lawmakers are bracing for renewed debate over restricting abortion pills in the 2026 legislative session, with Republicans and Democrats sharply divided on potential new limits. For Urbandale residents, the issue hits home as Planned Parenthood has announced its Urbandale clinic will close, further shrinking local access to reproductive health care and forcing more patients to travel to Des Moines or Iowa City.
   

• Thousands march in Minneapolis to protest ICE after Renee Good's death (usatoday.com) — Nationwide protests against ICE following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis included a snowy rally in Des Moines, where Urbandale resident Karen Moss spoke out about the chaos and fear surrounding the incident. Her comments connected Urbandale directly to a broader national debate over immigration enforcement and public demonstrations.
   

📸 Around Urbandale

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Urbandale

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday January 14

• Economic Development Advisory Board Meeting
  Urbandale, IA Calendar , 3600 86th Street , Urbandale
  12:00 pm

Thursday January 15

• Beaver Creek WMA Quarterly Meeting
  Urbandale, IA Calendar
  3:00 pm

Monday January 19

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  Urbandale, IA Calendar

Tuesday January 20

• Walnut Creek WMA Meeting
  Urbandale, IA Calendar
  2:00 pm
• Public Art Committee
  Urbandale, IA Calendar , 3600 86th Street , Urbandale
  4:00 pm

Wednesday January 21

• Parks and Recreation Commission
  City Hall , 3600 86th Street , Urbandale
  5:30 pm

📣 Urbandale 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

Sunday January 11

• Teen Hangout
  Children's Cancer Connection , 5701 Greendale Rd , Johnston
  9:00 am
• Pick Your Project Workshop (All Ages!)
  Board & Brush Creative Studio - Clive , 12871 University Ave Suite 150 , Clive
  1:00 pm
• Demon Tiger's Portal (Ages 10
  Painting with a Twist , 3753 86th St , Urbandale
  3:00 pm
• Shih Tzu Meetup
  Paws & Pints , 6218 Willowmere Dr , Des Moines
  4:00 pm
• Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden — Weary Ramblers
  909 Robert D. Ray Dr , Des Moines
  7:00 pm

Monday January 12

• Planning & Zoning Meeting
  Johnston, IA Calendar , 6221 Merle Hay Road PO Box 410 , Johnston
  7:00 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 Urbandale PatchAM possible:

• Levels Family Chiropractic — (515) 461-9738
  Family Chiropractic Care in Urbandale
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Please HELP Bo Bo Come Home!
  PLEASE HELP My Dog is STILL MISSING! NOT Even A Sighting... Last seen January 1, 2026 around 10 pm. He has to be somewhere, someone has seen him or… (Nextdoor Karen Acres - Urbandale)
• Looking for a mechanic that won't cost me and arm and a leg.
  Please let me know of any reliable mechanics in the area. Engine light is on and the struggles when shifting gears (speeding up). (Nextdoor Meadow)

• Urbandale Community School District posted a job opening for Assistant Middle School Volleyball Coach in Urbandale. Apply here.
• MercyOne posted a job opening for Clinic Receptionist - Quick Care Clinic West Clive - Full Time in Clive. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Urbandale here.

🗞 Nearby News

Grimes

• KMAland Sports Schedule (1/10): Busy day of hoops & headlocks (kmaland.com)
• GOP Leader Predicts Speedy 2026 Session Since Nine Members Of Iowa House And Senate Are Seeking Higher Office (kiwaradio.com)

West Des Moines

Ok Urbandale! 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 see food and I eat it.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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