weather - Iowa Starting Line

Oct 2025 1

Why it took nearly a century to bring Halloween to Des Moines

By Ellery Weil | LOCAL CULTURE, EVERGREEN, Ellery Weil

Halloween is on October 31, but did you know that for decades, that wasn’t true in Des Moines? Discover a unique piece of local Halloween history.

Specifically, trick-or-treating in Des Moines was legally forbidden on October 31, and instead, door-to-door candy quests took place on October 30, known as Beggars’ Night. In 2024, the local government voted to merge Beggars Night with the traditional October 31 Halloween, and in March of 2025, the change was officially made permanent, syncing up Halloween in Des Moines with the rest of the Hawkeye State.

Aug 2025 4

10 extreme Iowa weather events that were caught on tape

By Britteny Dee | WEATHER, EVERGREEN, Britteny Dee

From historic floods to destructive tornadoes, discover extreme Iowa weather events that were caught on tape (and watch the footage for yourself).

a tornado approaches a flat yellow field

Jun 2025 22

WATCH: What is the Waffle House index?

By Amie Rivers | POLITICS VIDEO, POLITICS, Amie Rivers

Yes, FEMA actually uses Waffle Houses to gauge the severity of hurricane damage.

Find out more from Iowa's Waffle House Index expert Zachary Oren Smith on the newest episode of Cornhole Champions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv0eS3j4RZs&t=16s

Why it took nearly a century to bring Halloween to Des Moines

10 extreme Iowa weather events that were caught on tape

WATCH: What is the Waffle House index?

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