Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why a rainbow flag at Jordan Creek Elementary sparked a heated debate
Make time for Isaiah 117 Annual Golf Tournament on the West Des Moines Patch calendar
Morning West Des Moines! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a rainbow flag at Jordan Creek Elementary sparked a heated debate
- Could your 3-year-old qualify for West Des Moines' new preschool?
- How a West Des Moines speech could reshape Iowa's data center boom
Also on today's calendar: Isaiah 117 Annual Golf Tournament.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near West Des Moines. 
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 83 and low of 58 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 84, low: 65.
- Saturday: Humid with peeks of sunshine, with a high of 88 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
📰 News we're reading
1. Rainbow flag in Iowa classroom leads to controversy (ketv.com) — West Des Moines residents packed a recent school board meeting to debate a rainbow-themed flag and colored Chromebook tape in a Jordan Creek Elementary classroom. A parents' group wants the district to investigate whether the display violates Iowa's limits on K–6 instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity, while teachers, parents, and local advocates defended it as inclusive décor. District leaders say they're reviewing the concern and will respond later. 
2. West Des Moines schools launch preschool program for 3-year-olds (kcci.com) — Families in West Des Moines now have a new preschool option for 3-year-olds as the district launches its Tiger Cubs program on August 31. Classes meet four mornings a week at Jordan Creek Elementary and Crestview School of Inquiry, with tuition assistance available for qualifying families. Kids can join anytime during the school year once they turn three by September 15.
3. Zach Lahn proposed this change for data centers (kcrg.com) — Business leaders gathered in West Des Moines as Republican gubernatorial nominee Zach Lahn called for a temporary pause on new data center projects across Iowa. He argues the state needs clearer rules to protect farmland, energy costs, and community benefits, while business leaders and Democratic candidate Rob Sand stake out their own positions on how to manage future developments. The discussion could shape how large tech facilities expand in Iowa communities.
4. Iowa HHS confirms more measles cases; first U.S. deaths from measles this year reported in Pennsylvania (littlevillagemag.com) — Iowa's measles outbreak now includes exposure sites in West Des Moines, alongside Des Moines, Clive and Bloomfield, as cases climb to 17 this year. Health officials stress vaccination, while national measles cases and recent deaths highlight the risks and counter misinformation about the MMR shot.
5. Massive Refinery Exemptions Would Undo Progress Under Trump's 2026-2027 RFS Blending Levels (iowarfa.org) — From its West Des Moines base, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is warning that rumored EPA refinery exemptions could erase gains from President Trump's recently finalized RFS blending levels. The group says expanded waivers would cut billions of gallons of biofuel demand, threatening Iowa biodiesel plants, farm income and recent job growth tied to stronger blending requirements.
📸 Around West Des Moines
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🗓 Upcoming Events in West Des Moines
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Isaiah 117 Annual Golf Tournament →
Waveland Golf Course, 4908 University Ave, Des Moines
9:00 am
Thursday September 10
📣 West Des Moines Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Hittin' the Bricks
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce 301 S 10th St Adel, IA
7:30 am - Volleyball: (Freshman)
Van Meter Comm School District Ballard High School
4:30 pm - Volleyball: ADM VB Quad (Junior Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
4:30 pm - Volleyball: ADM VB Quad (Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
4:30 pm - Volleyball: Harlan Community vs ADM (Junior Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
4:30 pm - Volleyball: Harlan Community vs ADM (Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
4:30 pm - Volleyball: (Junior Varsity)
Van Meter Comm School District Ballard High School
4:30 pm - Volleyball: Greene County vs ADM (Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
5:15 pm - Volleyball: Greene County vs ADM (Junior Varsity)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
5:15 pm - Football: Winterset vs ADM (Freshman)
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District Adel, IA 50003
6:00 pm - Football: Des Moines Christian vs Van Meter (Freshman)
Van Meter Comm School District Van Meter School Bulldog Stadium
4:30 pm
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making West Des Moines PatchAM possible:
- Tech Stack Digital Solutions — (515) 855-6499
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- BoxLunch / Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager - Level 1 - Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. Apply here.
- Athleta, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate - Jordan Creek in West Des Moines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Des Moines here.
Ok West Des Moines! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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