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Posted October 14, 2025in The Culture Buzz

Greetings, Cultural Adventurers:

From Iowa’s cultural epicenter, Mainframe Studios at 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, comes your Listener-supported Community Voice, the Award-Winning independent radio station, KFMG-LP 98.9 FM (streaming simultaneously at www.kfmg.org), bringing you music, literature & cultural content. Quote of the Week – “We will only attain freedom if we learn to

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Posted October 13, 2025in Stray Thoughts

Confusion results from differing applications of teachers’ rights

The nation’s founders got right to the point when they laid out how to treat the First Amendment freedoms of religion, speech, the press and the rights of people to assemble and to petition the government. They used only 45 words, without asterisks. Their simple words should lead to simple

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Posted October 10, 2025in Just Released

Iowa Announces Upcoming Changes to SNAP Benefits to Promote Healthy Food Choices

Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing upcoming changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that will impact what items are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, and are designed to promote

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Posted October 09, 2025in Press Release

Coming to Iowa: Penetrating truth, authentic rural voice, define Beth Macy’s new book ‘Paper Girl’ in this urgent, anxious American moment

“Dopesick” author, award-winning journalist, headlining Des Moines book festival this Saturday. The Political Mercury’s Douglas Burns will interview Macy in featured event on her book. Through what political scientists might call a deep canvass into her own culturally polarized family in rural, de-industrialized Ohio, author Beth Macy gives us a riveting, devastating

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Posted October 09, 2025in Just Released

SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES TWO-YEAR CONTRACT FOR INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT MATT SMITH

Long-Time DMPS Leader Brings Experience and Stability to the District The Des Moines School Board met this morning and approved a two-year contract for Matt Smith to serve as interim superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools through the 2026–27 school year. Smith has served as associate superintendent since 2018. Under

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Posted October 09, 2025in Morain

10/09/25

Kathy and I returned last Friday from three days in the Black Hills, communing with two of my graduate school former housemates and their spouses. It’s a reunion that takes place somewhere in the U.S. on an irregular basis, always enjoyable and nostalgic. Both housemates are professors emeriti, one from

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Posted October 08, 2025in Just Released

Iowa Wolves Partner With Des Moines University for Practice Space

WEST DES MOINES, IA (10/08/2025) The Iowa Wolves, the NBA G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves, have found a new practice home court through a collaboration with Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences. Under the agreement, the Wolves will train in the gymnasium at DMU32 Health and Business

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Posted October 08, 2025in Just Released

THIS WORLD HOMELESS DAY, HOPE MINISTRIES IS SERVING RECORD NUMBERS

DES MOINES, Iowa—As World Homeless Day rolls around on Friday, October 10, Hope Ministries is providing free warm meals, safe shelter and life recovery programs to more homeless Iowans than ever before.  Hope Ministries is the largest homeless services provider in Iowa, with 315 beds across three residential centers. This

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Posted October 08, 2025in Just Released

Iowa PBS’s Iowa Life to feature artist Jill Wells from Des Moines

Johnston, Iowa — Jill Wells from Des Moines will be featured in an upcoming episode of Iowa PBS’s Iowa Life, a magazine-style series uncovering the diverse tapestry of Iowa’s people, cultures and stories. The episode will premiere Tuesday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. and be rebroadcast Sunday, October 26 at 10:30

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Posted October 08, 2025in Just Released

West Des Moines Historical Society and City of West Des Moines Host First Annual Heritage Jubilee

Celebrating History, Culture, and Community on October 11 WEST DES MOINES, IA — The West Des Moines Historical Society and the City of West Des Moines are proud to present the 1st Annual Heritage Jubileeon Saturday, October 11, from 1–4 p.m. at the historic Jordan House Museum grounds. This family-friendly

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