Thursday, April 2, 2026

Join our email blast

May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Feature 2

Human trafficking

The coercion, the fear and the betrayal of this underreported crime Jocelyn was born and raised near Waterloo. By the time she was 24, she was ready for a fresh start. She had good parents, graduated from high school and even attended a few college classes, but she had veered off course.

Read More →
May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Feature 3

Quarter century of Excellence

Aggressive new head coach and general manager look to force the action during the 25th season of the Des Moines Menace The Des Moines Menace is Iowa’s premier soccer franchise. As the team gears up to celebrate 25 years of on-the-field excellence, some fresh faces are set to lead a retooled team into the next quarter

Read More →
May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Civic Skinny

Kirk Blunck estate pays off defaulted debt to city. Ireland honors snubbed Cullen. A history lesson.

The estate of Kirk Blunck has paid off two long-delinquent loans the city provided to help Blunck rehabilitate two buildings in the East Village. That leaves just one claim remaining against the estate of the architect and developer who died under puzzling circumstances in one of his buildings on a

Read More →
May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Political Mercury

Legalizing pro and college sports wagering is good for rural Iowa

Younger gamers have different demands and expectations. Wild Rose Casino and Resort in Jefferson posted a record month, week and day in March, casino President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Timmons reported at the recent Grow Greene County Gaming Corp. awards banquet. The success of the casino served as a catalyst for the game-changing referendum

Read More →
May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Film Review

‘Super Troopers 2’

Grass may be clipped from this stoner flick, but it’s far from a drug-free zone. In 2002, Broken Lizard exploded onto the scene with their stoner-comedy “Super Troopers.” While the film holds an approval rating of 35 percent based on 88 reviews, with an average rating of 5/10, it quickly

Read More →
May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Food Dude

Gastro sodbusters get serious

Will wagyu finally sell in central Iowa? On the western frontier of the metro, where the last strip malls push back the Nebraska sky, culinary pioneers Sean and Andrea Gleason are testing new ideas. Can a cosmopolitan food truck build a homestead in Waukee? Will wagyu finally sell in central

Read More →
May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Your Neighbors

‘Brave’ brings rap artist and fire departments together

Will Keeps advocates for helping kids “out of the fire” of bullying Local rap artist Will Keeps has done it again, only this time, local firefighters are the heroes featured in his latest video. The Des Moines Science Center hosted the release of “Brave,” a video collaboration that Keeps began

Read More →
May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Joe's Neighborhood

A rowdy crowd

They drift north from Holy Trinity to The Donut Hut on Douglas Avenue “I’ll only give you my first name,” says the dapper old man with the swept-back white hair and trendy suspenders. Is he kidding? “You see, I used to be an IRS agent.” He pauses. “I’ve got too many enemies out

Read More →
May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Center Stage

Live performing arts blossom in May

From enigmatic title to straight forward Broadway belt. The live performance scene in central Iowa has evolved over the last few decades. It has become stronger through this journey. Especially over the last few years, producers are diligent in finding strong material to present, and a strong, diverse pool of

Read More →
May 02, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Stray Thoughts

Do we really think people choose to be poor?

Wait, there’s more. I have spent 50 years as a journalist asking questions, listening to the responses, and closely observing the people and events around me. Somewhere along the way, my observational skills must have failed me. Apparently, I have missed a lot. Otherwise, I would have noticed those lines

Read More →