Nominations open for DSM Fellowship program
Nominations are now open for the 2025-26 DSM Fellowship program, a professional development initiative for early career professionals who demonstrate emerging leadership. Participants in the 15-month program have three to seven years of professional experience. Investor businesses can nominate candidates and, if selected, sponsor participants. Nominations are due Oct. 18.
MPO seeks input on priority safety improvements
The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is asking the public to identify top priority safety improvements as part of the development of its Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. On the MPO’s website, the public can view the “High-Risk Network” and the “High-Injury Network” maps, and share the most important safety improvements that need to be made….
Kemin Industries names Burt to new head of global corporate affairs role
Des Moines-based global ingredient manufacturer Kemin Industries has appointed Lauren Burt to the company’s new position of head of global corporate affairs, according to a news release. She will oversee Kemin’s corporate and public affairs strategy, including public and media relations, corporate reputation, crisis management and global community engagement. Burt most recently served for four…
Wells Fargo Foundation announces $325K in new grants to Central Iowa nonprofits
The charitable arm of Wells Fargo recently announced it’s giving $325,000 in new grants to five Central Iowa nonprofits to support initiatives addressing regional needs linked to financial health, housing and small business, according to a news release. The grant recipients are Homeward Iowa, Iowa Community Capital, Lutheran Services in Iowa, Oakridge Neighborhood and Polk…
New public safety center planned in Grimes
Construction will begin this fall on a public safety center that will serve the Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire District and provide an office for the Polk County Sheriff’s department, which provides police service to Grimes. The 16,500-square-foot building will be located on a 3.75-acre parcel at Southwest County Line Road and Southwest Sixth Street in Grimes….
Phill the water buffalo instantly captured my heart, as he did with so many other Iowans
I first got to know Phill through news stories, in social media posts and on local TV. By the time I met him while volunteering at Iowa Farm Sanctuary in Oxford, the water buffalo was an established celebrity. The story of his escape — how he evaded slaughter, led officials on a five-day chase through Pleasant Hill…
