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Posted May 03, 2023in Civic Skinny

Spendy condos, a history of Iowa’s closed colleges, and investments in Highland Park

After a long delay, sales prices have been recorded for the high-end Grand Avenue condominiums developed by Harry Bookey and Pamela Bass-Bookey. The Kathleen J. Fehrman Revocable Trust paid $2,838,799 [...]

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Posted April 05, 2023in Civic Skinny

Who’s running for mayor? Mari Culver’s new job. Prairie Meadows update. Potholes — and more sabbaticals.

The race for Des Moines’ highest office is stacking up. Connie Boesen, an at-large councilmember for the city, announced her run for mayor last month. Boesen has served on the [...]

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Posted March 01, 2023in Civic Skinny

Kaleidoscope, Val Air, Gas Lamp. ION program. $20k Super Bowl spot. DMAC director. MWA audit.

The abandoned east Kaleidoscope building at 515 Walnut St., now permanently closed, could soon be demolished to make way for a new addition to the downtown Des Moines skyline. Local [...]

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Posted February 01, 2023in Civic Skinny

State university sabbaticals. Polk County audit. Mental health lawsuit. Treasure hunt. More cemetery tidbits.

Each year, the Iowa Board of Regents approves professional development assignments (PDAs) for state university professors. Also known as sabbaticals, these allow universities to maintain “educational excellence” by encouraging “a [...]

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Posted January 04, 2023in Civic Skinny

Hardenbrook owner speaks on State Fair audits. State reports on education, veterans home and more. Top baby names.

Last month, news broke that four popular vendors would not be returning to Iowa’s largest annual event after state audits suggested fraud. The Iowa State Fair ousted Hardenbrook Concessions; Pete’s [...]

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Posted November 30, 2022in Civic Skinny

Bauder’s for sale. Final election finances. Central Iowa’s highest nonprofit salaries.

A “for sale” sign has been spotted at Bauder’s, Des Moines’ iconic ice cream shop and former pharmacy. Owner Kim Robertson said she is simply looking for a transition.  “I’ve [...]

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Posted November 30, 2022in Christmas Skinny

Merry Christmas…

Twelve drummers drumming… …for Randy Peterson, who has been writing sports at The Des Moines Register for 50 years…and Felipe Nogueira of Brazil, coach of the championship men’s volleyball team [...]

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Posted November 02, 2022in Civic Skinny

An update on Marty Tirrell. Judicial performance and voter outreach. Veteran homelessness. Top home sales. And a historic conversation.

Marty Tirrell, the sports broadcaster and conman, is back in Des Moines, wearing an ankle bracelet while on “home confinement status” until his release date from the federal prison system [...]

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Posted October 05, 2022in Civic Skinny

Profits at Prairie Meadows. Firearm at airport. No more IMAX dome. Historic preservation grants.

“We are having a record year,” said CEO Gary Palmer at the September board meeting of Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel. “When we did our budget, we thought the inflation [...]

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Posted August 31, 2022in Civic Skinny

Palmer postpones retirement. Campaign dollars climb. VA clinic opens.

The Prairie Meadows Board of Directors recently voted to extend the contract of CEO Gary Palmer, who had formerly planned to retire at the end of 2023. “I had a [...]

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