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Posted August 02, 2023in Civic Skinny

Coaching contracts, road safety plans and broadband funding

With the college football season approaching, we take a look at coaching contract details behind some of the state’s highest-paid employees. For comparison, CITYVIEW also requested contract details of some [...]

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Posted July 05, 2023in Civic Skinny

The future of Court Avenue. Historic buildings recognized. Hy-Vee grows in Nebraska but ponders future of downtown store.

What is the future of the Court Avenue District? On May 8, The Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) presented a study completed on behalf of the Polk County Board of Supervisors [...]

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Posted May 31, 2023in Civic Skinny

Chambers merging, Partnership leadership history, early campaign contributions and unpaid fines

The Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce, which formed in 2004 and currently has 58 members listed on its website, merged operations with the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, which formed in [...]

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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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