Kyle Werner

7 historic homes you can visit in the Des Moines metro area Here are seven unique homes that now serve as event venues, bed and breakfasts and more that you can visit in the Des Moines metro.

7 historic homes you can visit in the Des Moines metro area:

Des Moines' historic homes still have stories to tell; restorations make it possible Historic homes have stories to tell, but they can be lost to history if they aren't preserved. A look at a few that were saved in Des Moines.

Des Moines' historic homes still have stories to tell; restorations make it possible:

Starting in early February, I embarked on a months-long story involving something near and dear to my heart: historic homes.

"It’s about people’s stories," one interviewee told me. "They’re associated with places."

Today, it's on the front page of the e-edition of the Des Moines Register.

Former Iowan may be one of the first Americans to wed under Thailand's new gay marriage law Edward Hill, originally from small-town Iowa, believes he is among the first Americans to wed under Thailand's recently passed same-sex marriage law.

Over the past month, I learned about Ed's life story and how it led him to where he is today: Thailand.

He believes he is one of the first, if not the first, to marry under Thailand's new gay marriage law.

"The rest is history," he said. "I want to go make some more history."

'I'm not sure what's next': National Park ranger in Iowa among thousands fired Friday In a now viral post, recently-fired National Parks Service ranger Brian Gibbs from Iowa, detailed his firing and what it means for his family.

"I knew that I wanted to work outdoors for a really long time," Brian Gibbs told the Register in a phone interview Sunday. "That was instilled by my father taking me to state parks and national parks, and my mom taking me outdoors a lot as a kid."

By me, for The Des Moines Register.

Hundreds gather on Iowa Capitol's steps for rally in opposition to mass deportations Hundreds gathered on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol on Saturday in opposition to President Donald Trump's plan for mass deportations.

Hundreds gathered on the Iowa Capitol's steps Saturday in opposition to mass deportations vowed by Trump.

"I am here for my family. I am here for my husband, my parents, my friends, my community, my people.”

By me for the Des Moines Register

'I live it every day,' wife of slain Principal Dan Marburger says of Perry school shooting For Elizabeth Marburger, Jan. 4, 2024, is not just the anniversary of the Perry High School shooting — it's the last day her husband was home.

Elizabeth Marburger talked to me about the hurt, the heartache and the pain of losing her husband, Dan Marburger, after he lost his life saving students’ lives. I am grateful and thankful Elizabeth let me help tell her story a year after the unthinkable happened.

By me for the Des Moines Register:

'We heal together': Perry community gathers on first anniversary of Iowa school shooting The Perry community gathered on the first anniversary of the school shooting to find hope and healing together.

On the anniversary of the Perry school shooting, I went to Perry to attend a service of hope and healing, where attendees found comfort in gathering together.

“This community is no stranger to heartache.”

By me for the Des Moines Register.

The Des Moines metro saw 22 homicides in 2024 The large majority — 17 — were committed in Des Moines, which is higher than in 2023.

Twenty-two homicides were recorded in the Des Moines metro in 2024.

By me for the Des Moines Register.

www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/c...

'It's been a struggle': A year after the Perry school shooting, community seeks normalcy On Jan. 4, 2024, Perry experienced a tragic school shooting. Now, a year later, they're embracing the new normal and coming together.

The first anniversary of the Perry shooting is on Saturday, and they seek a return to normalcy.

"I think we are moving forward, we support each other. We have to, you know, what else can we do?"

By me for the Des Moines Register.

www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/l...

Get an early look at Iowa's first planned Mormon temple A white temple with a soaring steeple is planned for metro Des Moines. Where do the Mormons plan to build it?

The Mormon Church released a rendering for what will be Iowa’s first Mormon temple.

By me for the Des Moines Register

www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/l...

Satanic holiday celebration at the State Capitol allegedly 'forcibly canceled' by state The Satanic Temple of Iowa was supposed to have a holiday event at the Iowa State Capitol on Saturday, but the event request was denied by Iowa DAS.

It wasn’t the icy weather that canceled the Satanic Temple of Iowa’s holiday celebration at the Iowa State Capitol— the request was denied for “includ(ing) elements harmful to minors” by the Iowa DAS.

By me for the Des Moines Register.

www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/l...

'A dedicated school teacher': Jenee Ihde worked in Bondurant for 51 years before her death Jenee Ihde, who worked for Bondurant-Farrar schools for 51 years, died Nov. 15. She is remembered by generations of students.

Jenee Ihde was a lifelong teacher, teaching in the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District as a kindergartener teacher for 35 years and, upon retirement, came back to the school to sub. By me for the Des Moines Register
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/l...