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Hy-Vee to host Back-To-School Community Food Drive

WEST DES MOINES — Hy-Vee announced that all of its stores across the region will host a Back-to-School Community Food Drive from Aug. 15, through Aug. 23 aimed at providing direct food assistance to local communities as families prepare for the new school year. This initiative comes as hunger reaches critical levels in many of the communities Hy-Vee serves, with approximately 1 in 5 children across the nation facing food insecurity. To ensure help reaches those who need it most, each Hy-Vee store has designated a specific local food pantry or food bank to benefit from the drive, ...

Editorial roundup: The Washington Post says America’s budget is on the precipice of catastrophe

The budget of the federal government is the largest of any organization in human history. It’s larger than the entire economy of every foreign country except China. And it mostly grows automatically, without regular input from elected officials. In the past, huge surges in the national debt were largely caused by wars or recessions. They were temporary. When the war concluded or economic growth resumed, debt as a share of the economy would fall. That’s not how it works anymore. The debt increases due to demographic trends as the bulk of spending goes to programs that serve an aging ...

MARSHALLTOWN to host Iowa Regional Bricklayer 500 Competition

MARSHALLTOWN, a privately held global leader in construction tools and equipment, recently announced it will be hosting the 2026 Iowa Regional SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 competition at its headquarters in Marshalltown on Oct. 1. The event, organized by TCC Materials, will bring together talented masons from across the state, showcasing their speed, skill and stamina as they compete for a chance at the World Championship. Masons will have just one hour to build a 26-foot-long wall laying as many bricks as possible while maintaining exceptional quality. “This competition showcases the ...

Restored by Grace support group meets Thursday

Guiding Star Marshalltown will host a peer support group, Grace Restored (post abortion) from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 20 at 2501 S. Center St., Suite M, Marshalltown. “This is a safe, compassionate and nonjudgemental space for women to heal and move forward. Whether you’ve recently experienced abortion or it was years ago, your story matters, and healing is possible,” said Lindi Trowbridge, executive director of Guiding Star Marshalltown. “There is no cost. Our amazing counselor, Carrie, has worked with so many women on this topic and has a huge heart to help women, like ...

Celebrate Iowa Craftsmanship at the 2026 Woodcarvers’ Auction

DES MOINES — If the sound of chainsaws catches the attention during the 2026 Iowa State Fair, go to Expo Hill, where talented woodcarvers Gary Keenan, T.J. Jenkins and Clint Henik transform ordinary logs into extraordinary works of art. Once completed, these one-of-a-kind carvings will be available to purchase through the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation's 2026 Woodcarvers' Auction, giving Fairgoers the chance to take home a unique piece of the Fair. The auction will once again feature both in-person and online bidding opportunities. The live auction begins at 4 p.m. on Aug. ...

Give blood and give hope to those fighting childhood cancer and sickle cell disease

JOHNSTON — Every two seconds, someone’s life relies on a blood transfusion. Those in need range from burn victims to surgery patients to those fighting deadly diseases. This September, we honor those fighting childhood cancer and sickle cell disease. Blood transfusions are essential parts of the treatment process for both diseases. Nearly a quarter of all donated blood is used by cancer patients, while those suffering from sickle cell disease may need up to 100 blood transfusions each year. The only way to ensure patients have access to these lifesaving treatments is through ...