🌱 COVID Hospitalizations & Cases Rising + Fire At Blank Park Zoo

Des Moines IA

01 December, 2021

8:28 PM

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Morning, people of Des Moines! It's me again, Katarina Betterton, your host of the Des Moines Daily. First, today's weather: Times of clouds and sun. High: 62 Low: 38. Here are the top stories in Des Moines today: COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to climb in Iowa, with 721 patients hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday. This number is up from 665 at last report on Monday, and the state's 14-day positivity rate climbed from 10.8 percent to 11.2 percent since then. Among the patients hospitalized with COVID-19, more than three-quarters are unvaccinated. (KCCI Des Moines)A small fire broke out before opening hours at the Blank Park Zoo's Great Cats Complex on Wednesday morning. Fortunately, an employee extinguished the flames and all staff and animals were accounted for and unharmed. The Des Moines Fire Department is inspecting the damage and investigating the cause of the fire. (KCCI Des Moines) The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced that its 2022 Annual Dinner will feature U.S. Olympic and FIFA soccer star Mia Hamm as the headline speaker. The Dinner will take place on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. Fred Buie, 2021 Board Chair of the Partnership, said, "Hamm is an inspiration to millions of fans, and her influence as an international star transcends the sport." (The Audubon County Advocate Journal)Jon Schwartz, the Kellogg driver who was accused of being drunk when he crashed into and seriously injured a West Des Moines police officer last year, has been sentenced to five years in prison. (We Are Iowa) Ballet Des Moines is preparing for Iowa's only professional performance of "The Nutcracker," which will feature a new cast of characters and seven performances over two weekends.(WHO 13) Today's Des Moines Daily is brought to you by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013) From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Add your business here Events: Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 13) Add your event Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe. — Katarina Betterton About me: Katarina loves to read and write. Her hobbies include cooking her grandmother's recipes, learning new languages, and crafting. She and her husband live with their mutt, Ledger, and Shiba Inu, Mikasa, who are both way too cute for their own good.