Des Moines Daily Local Headlines: Highland Park buildings, school funding, arrest in Marketplace theft case

Today’s top local headlines

Des Moines weighs buying historic buildings near Odd Fellows Hall

City leaders are considering a purchase of three older buildings on Euclid Avenue in Highland Park, next to the long-vacant Odd Fellows Hall. The move follows a previous redevelopment effort that fell apart, and the next step would authorize negotiations and, if a deal happens, quick stabilization work to prevent further deterioration.

For residents, this is one of those small-but-important inflection points: either a corridor keeps sliding, or it gets a second chance.

State Senate sends a K-12 funding increase to the governor

Iowa senators approved a 2% boost in per-pupil funding and sent it to the governor for final action. The change sets a new state cost per student and would apply across traditional public schools while also affecting other state-funded student support mechanisms.

Locally, Des Moines-area districts are already deep into budget planning, so even modest shifts can change staffing plans, class offerings, and what gets deferred to next year.

Police announce a second arrest tied to Facebook Marketplace thefts

Des Moines police say a second person has been arrested in a case linked to cell phone thefts allegedly arranged through Facebook Marketplace meetups. The investigation traces back to an early-February incident in which an officer was struck by a vehicle during an attempted arrest, and another officer fired a handgun. Police have said nobody was injured by the gunfire.

Cold start, then a midweek thaw with more snow chances

Forecasters say the metro is starting the week with bitter wind chills and daytime highs stuck in the 20s, followed by a warmer turn that could push temperatures into the 40s. Snow chances are also on the table midweek, so plan for changing road conditions as temperatures swing.

Drake picks a new football coach

Drake University has hired Matt Walker as its next football coach. The program is looking for stability and momentum, and the hire signals a focus on proven winning experience as the Bulldogs turn the page on the previous era.

Sources

• https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/02/23/des-moines-odd-fellows-adjacent-historic
• https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2026-02-24/iowa-senate-sends-2-school-funding-increase-to-governor
• https://www.kcci.com/article/second-arrest-made-in-dmpd-case-where-officer-was-struck-by-vehicle-during-theft-investigation/70447447
• https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-weather-bitter-cold-start-week-more-snow-chances-wednesday/70459696
• https://www.kcci.com/article/drake-names-d-iii-national-champ-new-football-coach/70457050