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Arts and Culture

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Hyper Energy Bar founder accused of domestic abuse, child endangerment

Chris Whalen

Chris Whalen, owner of Hyper Energy Bar and president of development at Heart of America Group, has been arrested on domestic abuse and child endangerment charges following an incident at his West Des …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 29, 2025
Female professor talking to her students during IT class at high school.

Des Moines hosts hundreds for Academic Decathlon National Finals

For the first time in 35 years, the U.S. Academic Decathlon National Finals will be in Des Moines. The competition will run from May 1-3 at the Iowa Events Center. Catch Des Moines has announced …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 28, 2025
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Pleasant Hill hires new library director

Alex Coggeshell

Alex Coggeshell has been hired as library director by the city of Pleasant Hill. Coggeshell replaces John Lerdal, who retired earlier this year after serving 34 years as the community’s library director. Coggeshell …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 28, 2025
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Nonprofit arts and culture groups watching for potential executive orders

Statewide nonprofit and arts and culture groups are saying executive orders could be signed as early as today, possibly affecting how they operate. The anticipated executive orders may involve federal funding cuts and increased scrutiny …
By Gigi Wood | Apr 22, 2025
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Des Moines Art Center announces new community programs manager

The Des Moines Art Center has announced the appointment of Kelsey Burr as manager of community access programs, effective April 24. According to a news release, Burr brings experience in the fields of art and …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 21, 2025
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The catalyst of 80/35

When Tobi Parks was researching whether to relocate from New York City to Des Moines, she looked into the arts and culture scene here.

She discovered the Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC) and after meeting …
By Lisa Rossi | Apr 18, 2025
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Origin Homes receives Rand Fisher Rural Leadership Award

Origin Homes was awarded a 2025 Rand Fisher Rural Leadership Award at the 2025 Iowa Rural Summit. The award, given by the Iowa Rural Development Council, highlights an organization that demonstrates exceptional leadership, innovation and …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 16, 2025
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Blank Park Zoo announces Jurassic exhibit

It’s going to be a Jurassic Park summer at the Blank Park Zoo.

Fifteen animatronic dinosaurs will take over Blank Park Zoo from July to October, the zoo announced today.

The Dino Park Zoo experience …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 16, 2025
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Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon receives marketing awards

The Iowa Pork Producers Association’s “Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon” initiative was recently named the grand champion of the National Agri-Marketing Association Awards. The association
judged 950 award entries in more than 60 categories. The initiative …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 16, 2025
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Iowa humanities council loses federal funding

Humanities Iowa was among all state humanities councils nationwide notified that federal funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has been terminated, effective April 2.

The NEH, an independent federal agency supporting museums, historic sites, libraries, …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 11, 2025