🌱 Patch AM: How a West Des Moines–based leader will steer UnityPoint’s future

Hi West Des Moines! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a West Des Moines–based leader will steer UnityPoint’s future
• How a West Des Moines teen’s ordeal helped spark Iowa’s Roblox suit
• How a West Des Moines-based system just reshuffled its top leadership

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

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around West Des Moines? Post it to West Des Moines photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 42 and low of 38 degrees.
• Thursday: Very windy; colder, temps: high: 42, low: 11. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 35 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. KXEL Morning News for Tue. Dec. 16, 2025 (kxel.com) — UnityPoint Health, based in West Des Moines, has promoted Jenni Friedly to Chief Operating Officer, putting her in charge of operations across all of the system’s markets. In the same statewide news roundup, listeners also hear about Dubuque ending its commercial air service contract, the Iowa National Guard identifying two soldiers killed in Syria, and a historic Cedar Rapids bakery building gaining new life.
   

2. Iowa Attorney General files lawsuit against Roblox over child safety (who13.com) — A disturbing case involving a 13-year-old West Des Moines girl, allegedly groomed and assaulted by a man she met on Roblox, is helping drive Iowa’s new lawsuit against the gaming platform. Attorney General Brenna Bird says Roblox failed to protect kids from predators and sexual content, while the company insists safety is its top priority and disputes the state’s claims.
   

3. UnityPoint Health names Waterloo executive as new Chief Operating Officer (kcrg.com) — UnityPoint Health, headquartered in West Des Moines, has promoted Waterloo market president Jenni Friedly to Chief Operating Officer, giving her oversight of operations across all UnityPoint markets. With a background in nursing and extensive leadership experience, she’ll focus on improving care quality, access, and financial performance while an interim leader steps in for the Waterloo region.
   

4. Iowa Wrestling Weekend That Was: University of Northern Iowa continues home success with win over Missouri (thegazette.com) — High school wrestling fans in West Des Moines will notice both Valley and Dowling Catholic highlighted in Iowa City West’s strong 3-1 showing at the Iowa City Duals. The broader roundup also covers UNI’s big home win over Missouri and several other Iowa college and high school tournaments, underscoring how competitive the statewide wrestling scene remains.
   

5. Donald Trump sued the Register a year ago. Where does the case stand? (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — A West Des Moines subscriber who said he relied on the Des Moines Register’s polling joined legal challenges over a 2024 Iowa Poll that significantly understated Donald Trump’s eventual victory margin. His separate lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge, while Trump’s own case against the Register and its pollster now continues only in Polk County state court.
   

📸 Around West Des Moines

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🗓 Upcoming Events in West Des Moines

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 17

• Outlets of Des Moines Toys for Tots Drive
  Outlets of Des Moines , 801 Bass Pro Dr NW , Altoona
  10:00 am
• The Angel Tree at Outlets of Des Moines
  Outlets of Des Moines , 801 Bass Pro Dr NW , Altoona
  10:00 am

📣 West Des Moines Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 17

• Parks and Recreation Commission
  City Hall , 3600 86th Street , Urbandale
  5:30 pm
• Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Des Moines
  Des Moines Performing Arts , 221 Walnut St , Des Moines
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Board of Appeals
  Grimes, IA Calendar
  12:01 am
• CHOW Chamber Happenings, Opportunities & Wisdom
  Country Lane Lodge , 29300 Prospect Ave , Adel
  11:30 am
• Clive Emerging Leaders: Getting It Together: Build Your Life Admin System
  ServiceMaster by Rice - Construction Division , 7605 University Ave , Clive
  1:00 pm
• Band Concerts; 5/6th gr, 7/12th Jazz, Concert
  Van Meter Comm School District Van Meter, IA 50261
  5:00 pm
• Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM East DM North-Hoover Ames (Junior Varsity)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  5:30 pm
• Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM Roosevelt DM Lincoln Fort Dodge (Junior Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  5:30 pm
• Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM Roosevelt DM Lincoln Fort Dodge (Varsity)
  Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 50312
  5:30 pm
• Boys Wrestling: Triangular – DM East DM North-Hoover Ames (Varsity)
  East High School Des Moines, IA 50316
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• National Mentor Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Referral and Assessment Coordinator in West Des Moines. Apply here.
• Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate (Seasonal) 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 don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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