Shooting Investigation, Abortion Bill Stalls, and Record Heat Lead Des Moines Headlines
Des Moines, IA – March 16, 2026 – Police are investigating a West Des Moines shooting, lawmakers halt an abortion ban, and record warmth hits the metro.
West Des Moines Shooting Under Investigation
A person was hospitalized following a shooting in West Des Moines late Sunday, and police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire and located an individual with injuries at the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. As of Monday, authorities have not released additional information about a potential suspect or what may have led up to the shooting.
Police have indicated there is no ongoing threat to the public. Investigators remain at work gathering details and asking anyone with information to come forward as they piece together what happened.
Iowa House GOP Abortion Ban Bill Won’t Advance
A proposal in the Iowa House that would have banned nearly all abortions will not move forward during this legislative session.
Republican lawmakers confirmed the measure does not have enough support to advance this year, effectively shelving one of the most closely watched debates at the Statehouse. The bill had drawn significant public attention and sparked strong reactions from both supporters and opponents.
While the issue remains a focal point in Iowa politics, the decision means no further action on the proposal is expected in the current session. For now, lawmakers are turning their attention to other legislative priorities as the session continues.
Des Moines Breaks Another February Heat Record
Des Moines continues to experience an unusually warm stretch for late winter, with the city setting another record high temperature on Monday.
The metro reached 68 degrees, surpassing a previous record set in 1981. It marks the third record high temperature recorded in 2026 so far, adding to what meteorologists describe as a notable and clustered period of warmth.
Forecasters say the spring-like conditions may not last. Cooler air is expected to move into the region later this week, bringing temperatures back down into the 30s. There is also the possibility of a few flakes of snow before the week wraps up, a reminder that winter is not quite finished yet.
Sources
- https://www.kcci.com/article/person-hospitalized-after-shooting-in-west-des-moines-police-investigating/
- https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/16/iowa-house-gop-bill-banning-all-abortions-wont-advance-this-year/
- https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/february-heat-des-moines-sets-another-temperature-record-monday/
