PRESENTED BY

Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.

Did anyone else get out and check out the Northern Lights? It’s not something we get to see every day around here. It was a little tough to see with the city lights, but the cameras took care of that.

We stepped out on the deck and my wife snapped this photo.

In todays issue:

• 🏫 New ISU President Named

• 🧸 Toys R Us Opens at Jordan Creek

• 🎟️ Local Events for the weekend

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

🏫 Iowa State University names new president

The Iowa Board of Regents has unanimously selected David Cook, a native of Ames and alumnus of Iowa State, as the university’s 17th president. Cook is currently president of North Dakota State University and will assume his role at Iowa State on March 1, 2026, succeeding Wendy Wintersteen, who will retire after a nine-year tenure.

Story →

⚽ Pro women’s soccer could be coming to Des Moines

Big talk right now around the planned downtown stadium: the group behind it says they’re actively exploring adding a women’s professional soccer team alongside the men’s club. It’s not official yet, but if it happens, it’ll bring top-tier women’s pro soccer to the metro — a major boost for the local sports scene.

Story →

🧸 Now Open: Toys “R” Us

Toys “R” Us is officially back in the metro. The brand just opened a new store inside Jordan Creek Mall, complete with a ribbon-cutting, giveaways, and plenty of nostalgia for the grown-ups who grew up with Geoffrey. The store is one of the company’s new flagship locations popping up around the country as the toy giant makes its comeback.

Story →

PRESENTED BY: Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros

Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros offers a swift and cost-effective kitchen transformation without the hassle of demolition. Serving the Des Moines area, they specialize in updating existing cabinets, achieving a fresh look in just 3 to 5 days. Their process is designed to be less intrusive and more affordable than traditional remodels, making it an attractive option for homeowners seeking a kitchen update.

Visit Kitchenrefreshiowa.com today!

Community Spotlight ❤️

🌳 Drake Park’s New Community Orchard

Des Moines just planted a community orchard at Drake Park — nearly 40 fruit trees that will soon offer free apples, pears, and peaches to anyone walking by. It’s part of the city’s effort to make fresh food more accessible while giving neighbors another reason to get outside. Volunteers say it already feels like a “mini park within the park.”

👉 More from KCCI

🍎 SNAP Benefits & Food Pantries Under Pressure

With the federal freeze on SNAP benefits, local food pantries are seeing record demand. Groups like Food Bank of Iowa and DMARC are getting creative — expanding mobile pantries, adding family-friendly weekend boxes, and partnering with schools to bridge gaps. Even small donations or volunteer hours go a long way right now.

👉 More from We Are Iowa

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.

🎨 Holiday Arts & Crafts Show (more)
📆 Friday–Sunday
📍Iowa State Fairgrounds, Varied Industries Building
Iowa’s largest craft show returns with 300+ exhibitors, from handmade furniture to local art and festive treats — all under one roof.

🧁 48th Annual Beaverdale Holiday Boutique (more)
📆 Friday–Saturday
📍Holy Trinity Catholic School
Over 70 local artisans, homemade food at the café, and Mrs. Kringle’s Bakery make this longtime community favorite a cozy kickoff to the season.

🥂 Champagne & Mistletoe (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 5–8 PM
📍Uptown Ankeny
Sip, shop, and stroll through Uptown Ankeny with carriage rides, holiday sips and treats, and twinkling lights along the Wonderlights route.

🎲 Mixology Night: Game Night Edition (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 6–9 PM
📍Science Center of Iowa
Adults-only game night meets craft cocktails — dozens of board and strategy games curated by The Dealt Hand, plus drinks and friendly competition.

🎨 Handmade & Decor Open Studio Sale (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 8 AM–4 PM
📍Sistine Studio
Browse one-of-a-kind handcrafted décor, snag a free $5 credit just for stopping by, and score exclusive new designs before they’re released.

🎄 Holiday Sip n’ Shop (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 11 AM–3 PM
📍Des Moines Heritage Center
Shop local makers, sip mimosas, and grab free swag bags for the first 50 guests — the perfect low-key holiday shopping kickoff.

🐶 Santa Paws Snow Day Foam Party (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 12–3 PM
📍Paws & Pints
Snow-covered fun for your pups with foam play, holiday photo ops, festive drinks, and free day passes for all dogs.

🪵 Pour Your Own Epoxy Workshop (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 3 PM
📍Confluence Brewing Company
Create your own walnut epoxy charcuterie board or lazy susan — hands-on, colorful, and perfectly paired with a local brew.

🧸 Kid’s Resale Event (more)
📆 Friday–Sunday
📍Iowa State Fairgrounds, Elwell Center
Score huge savings on toys, books, clothes, and more at this family resale event — all inspected and mom-approved.

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 63 🌡️ Low 41 | 🌤️ | 💧 7%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Friday

High 71 🌡️ Low 54 | 🌤️ | 💧 11%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 64 🌡️ Low 35 | 🌤️ | 💧 4%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Sunday

High 54 🌡️ Low 36 | ☀️ | 💧 2%
Weather Beacon: ⚪️ Colder weather in sight

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

David Watson | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Jessie & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s Friendly Confines
The Toxhards | 7 | xBk Live
Robert Espe & Co | 7 | Noce
80 Grit | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Deep Dark Lake | 7:30 | Locals Bar & Stage
Austin Brown Trio | 8 | xBk Annex
Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
TheVille Deville Tour | 9 | Lefty’s
Jordan Beem | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s
Triple J’s | 9 | Yacht Club

Friday

Brad Seidenfeld | 5 | Caffrey’s Irish Pub
Jake McVey | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Taylor King | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Joshua Sinclair | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Robert Deitch | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
The Soul Searchers | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Matt Woods | 7 | The Speakeasy
Brittany Sword | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Scott Davis Trio | 7 | The Cave
Luke Thomas | 7 | Shotgun Betty’s
Richard & Kyle | 7 | Ducktail Lounge
David Watson | 7 | 36th St Tavern
The High Bidders | 7:30 | Locals Bar & Stage
Florry | 8 | xBk Live
Burnin’ Sensations | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Toni & Bittersweet Nation | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Gut Feeling | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Monkeyfour | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Patresa Hartman & Steph Graham | 8 | 6th Ave Listening Room
Dave Zollo & Brian Cooper | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Saturday

Dukes Of Haggard | 4 | Revelton Distilling
The Adaptors | 6 | Ducktail Lounge
Hayes Carll | 7 | Wooly’s
Adam Larson | 7 | Noce
Glory Days | 7 | Prairie Meadows
Nick Leo Trio | 7 | The Cave
Loose Gravel | 7 | Captain Roy’s
The Black Jacket Symphony | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Priscilla Block | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
The Lamplighters | 7:30 | The Cork
Alexandria Kay | 8 | Horizon Events Center
Modeling & more | 8 | Locals Bar & Stage
Heath Alan | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Dirty Champagne | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Toast3r | 8:30 | Back Roads Lounge
5 Below | 8:30 | Mickey’s Irish Pub
Cody Hicks | 9 | Hawk Heaven Tavern

Sunday

Brian Herrin Duo | 2 | Cellar Winery
The Soul Searchers | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 2 | Covered Bridges Winery
Natalie Simon & Lightcube | 4 | The Cave
Sentimental Swing | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
John Krantz | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
Weary Ramblers | 6 | xBk Live
Jamey Johnson | 7 | Vibrant Music Hall
A Motown Christmas | 7 | Hoyt Sherman Place

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Football 🏈

• Drake 🐶 @ Dayton | Record: 6-3 (5-1)
  📆 11/15 | 🕛️ 11

• UNI 🐆 @ ND State | Record: 3-7 (1-5)
  📆 11/15 | 🕛️ 2:30

• Iowa 🦅 @ USC | Record: 6-3 (4-2)
  📆 11/15 | 🕛️ 2:30

• ISU 🌪️ Idle | Record: 6-4 (3-4)

College Basketball 🏀 

College basketball season is in full swing. March Madness will be here before we know it. Here’s a quick snapshot on each local program along with their next game.

Men

• Drake 🐶 vs SIEU | Record: 2-1
  📆 11/14 | 🕛️ 6:30

• Iowa 🦅 vs Xavier | Record: 2-0
  📆 11/14 | 🕛️ 7

• #16 ISU 🌪️ vs Stonehill | Record: 3-0

  📆 11/17 | 🕛️ 7

• UNI 🐆 vs Furman | Record: 2-0
  📆 11/14 | 🕛️ 6

Women

• Drake 🐶 @ Iowa | Record: 1-1
  📆 11/13 | 🕛️ 7:30

• #21 Iowa 🦅 vs Drake | Record: 2-0
  📆 11/13 | 🕛️ 7:30

• #16 ISU 🌪️ vs Norfolk St | Record: 4-0
  📆 11/16 | 🕛️ 1

• UNI 🐆 vs Iowa | Record: 0-2
  📆 11/16 | 🕛️ 2

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs
6-5-2-3 | 3rd place | Western Conference

• vs Waterloo Black Hawks
  📆 11/14 | 🕛️ 7:05

• @ Waterloo Black Hawks
  📆 11/15 | 🕛️ 6:35

Iowa Wild
4-7-0-1 | 6th place | Central Division

• vs Charlotte Checkers

  📆 11/14 | 🕛️ 7
  🚀 Star Wars Night

• vs Charlotte Checkers
  📆 11/15 | 🕛️ 6
  🪖 Veterans Appreciation Night

G League 🏀 

Iowa Wolves
2-0 (1st place - Western Conference)

• @ Grand Rapids Gold
  📆 11/13 | 🕛️ 6

• vs Noblesville Boom
  📆 11/16 | 🕛️ 3

• vs Noblesville Boom
  📆 11/17 | 🕛️ 6:30

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

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