Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How DMU’s new accreditation could reshape medical training in West Des Moines

Coming up: Outlets of Des Moines Toys for Tots Drive on the West Des Moines Patch calendar

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Thursday December 11th Patch AM
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Good morning to you West Des Moines! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How DMU’s new accreditation could reshape medical training in West Des Moines
  • Could West Des Moines lose its standalone alternative high school?
  • How a months-long probe led to a West Des Moines arrest

Also on today's calendar: Outlets of Des Moines Toys for Tots Drive and 3 more events.

Find out what's happening in West Des Moinesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in West Des Moinesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Snow and ice in the afternoon, with a high of 28 and low of 20 degrees.
  • Friday: Cloudy, windy and cold, temps: high: 26, low: 6. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Saturday: Colder with snow, 1-3", with a high of 8 and low of -11 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Des Moines University (DMU) Earns Accreditation to Launch Its Own Residency Programs (rcreader.com) — Des Moines University in West Des Moines has earned key accreditation to launch and directly sponsor its own medical residency and fellowship programs, starting with an osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine fellowship. This move could bring more training positions, more physicians staying in Iowa, and stronger clinical education options right in West Des Moines and across the state over the next several years.
   

2. West Des Moines weighs future of Walnut Creek School amid backlash (kcci.com) — West Des Moines Community Schools is weighing whether to close Walnut Creek School, the district’s long-running alternative high school, and shift its services into a new program at Valley High School. District leaders say the move would better align with equity and data goals, but alumni and families are pushing back hard, warning a school-within-a-school model could fail students who struggled at Valley before.
   

3. West Des Moines man arrested after Des Moines police seize fentanyl, pills and cash (kcci.com) — A West Des Moines resident was arrested after Des Moines police searched his home and reported finding fentanyl, prescription pills, marijuana, and cash tied to suspected drug sales. Investigators say the case reflects a broader rise in fentanyl in central Iowa, with several pounds seized locally this year.
   

4. ACLU says automatic license plate readers are raising privacy concerns in Iowa (who13.com) — West Des Moines is singled out for having one of the highest numbers of automated license plate readers in Iowa, with 64 cameras tracking vehicles around the city. A new ACLU of Iowa report warns that this expanding surveillance network, largely unregulated by state law, could threaten residents’ privacy and civil rights while still acknowledging some legitimate law-enforcement uses.
   

5. Campaign Almanac: National Democrats add Iowa House, Senate to 2026 target map (thegazette.com) — West Des Moines gets a brief spotlight as local political consultant Julie Stauch emerges as one of two Democrats running for Iowa governor in 2026. The broader piece explains how national Democrats are targeting Iowa’s Legislature after recent special-election gains, while Republicans tout a new House member and prepare for an open governor’s race without Kim Reynolds.
   

📸 Around West Des Moines

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Viking Foundation 2025 Grants Announced —Viking Foundation Read on Patch
  • 🎄🌍 From pickle ornaments in American trees to roller-skating to church in Venezuela, Christmas is full of quirky customs that make the season unforgettable.
    Today’s post explores traditions from the U.S. and around the world — proof that holiday joy wears many costumes! #ChristmasCustoms … (Nextdoor Olde English Village)
  • LOST CAT ALERT!
    Have you seen this pet? Ozzy/Stinker was lost on September 03, 2024 and was last seen near West Des Moines, Iowa If you have information on their… (Nextdoor Tamara Lane)
  • P.F. Chang's China Bistro posted a job opening for Expeditor in West Des Moines. Apply here.
  • Spare Time Entertainment posted a job opening for Amusements Attendant - Des Moines, IA in West Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Des Moines here.

Ok West 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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