FROM KCCI: Hy-Vee closing 2 facilities as it moves some food prep to local stores; 461 workers impacted. Hy-Vee will end food preparation operations at facilities in Ankeny and Chariton this spring, a move the West Des Moines-based grocer says will impact more than 450 workers. In a news release Thursday afternoon the company said production of Mealtime items, sandwiches, salads, bakery items and take-and-bake pizzas — done since 2018 at its Fresh Commissary facility in Ankeny — will shift back to local stores starting in May, as will the cutting of fruits and vegetables, which had been handled since 2018 at its Short Cuts facility in Chariton. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Felon arrested for alleged gunfire near Des Moines River. Des Moines police have arrested a man accused of firing a handgun within the city limits Wednesday, and he’s now facing felony charges. Officers with the Des Moines Police Department were called to a wooded area near Vermont Street and Washington Avenue shortly before 5:00 p.m. on a report of gunfire near the Des Moines River, according to DMPD spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa House moves to cut 'everyday costs' with bill removing state sales tax on household items. On Thursday, the Iowa House passed a bill removing the 6% state sales tax on laundry detergent. Laundry soap is the latest household item lawmakers proposed to remove the sales tax from. The previous day, the House also passed legislation to remove the tax on toilet paper and vitamin supplements.  ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Rain chances linger this morning. This afternoon and Saturday look dry. We’ll see a slight Sunday rain chance, with better chances for stronger storms late Monday.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

Nestlé recalled several of its frozen meals after customers complained about finding “wood-like material.” The products the company pulled were Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli, Spinach Artichoke Ravioli and Lemon Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry, as well as Stouffer’s brand Party Size Chicken Lasagna. The company said there had been “one potential choking incident to date.” (WSJ)

Caitlin Clark is as significant of a role model as anyone for young girls. She recently endorsed an exclusive Gatorade drink that includes blue1 dye, which will likely be banned by the end of the year, as it has already been in Europe. Blue 1 can cause hypersensitivity reactions. Blue food dyes can be made with cabbage, blueberries and several other natural things. This leaves Caitlin exposed to claims that she has sold out to the junk food oligarchy. She needs to ask Gatorade to remove all synthetic dyes from their foods. Afterall, the government will likely do so anyhow. What is she waiting for? It's not a good look at all. Don't give us a reason to quit loving you. 
 
Weekend deals
• Heavenly Asian (225 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has an all-day Friday sale on orange chicken served with soup, crab Rangoon, egg roll and rice. $14, available for dine-in and phone carry-out.

• Brenda Trang offers a fabulous Friday buffet every Friday at Vietnam Cafe - Merle Hay Mall Food Court, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.,$18.95.  

• Bawarchi (6630 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines) has Friday - Sunday specials on paneer kebabs, chicken curry and goat curry.

• Mickey's in Yale (217 Main St., Yale) has hot beef sandwich lunches and all you can eat fish dinner specials today.

• Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) offers BBQ beef and marinated roast beef sandwiches on special for Friday lunch.

• 801 Chophouse (801 Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers Sunday supper specials that deliver deep discounts on filet, prime rib and red king salmon dinners.

• Destination Grill (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a $40 prime rib dinner special Friday and Saturday. 

• Tito’s Lounge (3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) now has brunch on Fridays as well as Saturdays and Sundays. 

• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.

• Friday night is paella time at Purveyor (505 E. Grand, Des Moines, officially, but really on E. Fifth), real Valenciana paella.

• Maxie's Supper Club's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Friday special is chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes - $16.95 all day. They also have prime rib dinners on Friday and Saturday for dinner only, $30-38. 

• Irina's Steak and Seafood (650 S. Prairie View Drive, West Des Moines) has a beef Bourguignon Sunday special for $28. 

• Jethro's Sunday special is half pound cheeseburgers and fries for $9.99. 

• Chicken Heat (1101 Army Post Road, Des Moines) offers $1 wings on Friday.  

•  Price Choppers have sales on blueberries and strawberries at two for $5, on the vine tomatoes at 99 cents/pound, and russets for $1.99/5-pound bag, through Monday.

• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) has a sale on Bartlett pears at 99 cents/pound and sweet corn at $1/five ears (coupon). 

•  Westown Tap (3530 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines) offers $12 flatbreads on Fridays.

• Nick Rueckert / Aaron Ehrlich Duo plays Louie's Wine Dive (4040 University Ave., Des Moines) on Sunday at 5 p.m.

• El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True Parkway has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m. Willie James Shay plays Sonny’s Pizza Bistro Friday at 5:30 p.m.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1950: Chuck Cooper becomes first African American selected in NBA Draft. On April 25, 1950, the Boston Celtics make Chuck Cooper, an All-American forward from Duquesne University, the first African American picked in NBA draft. With the selection, the first pick in the second round, Cooper breaks the NBA’s color barrier and changes the league for the better.  ... READ MORE

1990: Hubble Space Telescope placed in orbit. The crew of the U.S. space shuttle Discovery places the Hubble Space Telescope, a long-term space-based observatory, into a low orbit around Earth.. ... READ MORE

2014: The Flint water crisis begins. On April 25, 2014 officials from Flint, Michigan switched the city’s water supply to the Flint River as a cost-cutting measure for the struggling city. In doing so, they unwittingly introduced lead-poisoned water into homes, in what would become a massive public-health crisis.  ... READ MORE

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