Des Moines City Council To Vote Today On Budget Changes Including $11.5M In Cuts
(Des Moines, IA) — The Des Moines City Council will vote today on budget changes for fiscal year 2028, including more than eleven-million dollars in cuts. The City is considering cuts to a number of departments and services. They include the police and fire departments, public libraries, and parks and recreation. The cuts are not expected to cover the entire budget gap, estimated to be about 17-million dollars over the next two fiscal years. They must approve the 2028 budget by the end of April 2027.
Iowa Governor’s Office Has New Chief Of Staff Starting Today
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Governor’s Office has a new chief of staff. Molly Severn is taking over the position starting today, after the former chief of staff left to take an opportunity in the private sector. Severn first joined the Governor’s Office in April 2020, and has served as deputy chief of staff and legislative liaison since May 2023.
ARL Seeking Help After Rescuing Over 140 Animals Last Week, This Weekend
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Animal Rescue League is asking for help after rescuing more than 140 animals over the weekend and last week. The ARL says it rescued more than 80 cats from an abandoned mobile home in northeast Iowa over the weekend. The mass rescue comes after it took in almost 60 dogs and horses during from two different properties last week. The ARL says donations to help care for the influx of animals can be made on its website.
Study: Iowa Ranks 5th in the Nation for Overall Alcohol-Related Harm
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa is in the top five states with the most alcohol-related harm, according to a new study. Addiction recovery center Lantana Recovery ranks all 50 states using national public health data on alcohol mortality rates and alcohol related traffic deaths. Iowa ranked fifth on the list of all 50 states with the most alcohol harm, citing a more than 48-percent increase in alcohol-related traffic deaths from 2015 to 2024. The study also shows a more than 61-percent increase in alcohol-induced deaths during that same period.
