FROM KCCI: Dallas County explains tax error impacting Waukee schools, city budget. A letter from the Dallas County Assessor’s Office shares the timeline of what occurred that led to the property tax valuator error, leaving the Waukee Community School District and the City of Waukee with budget shortfalls. In a letter, the county assessor said the Apple data center in Waukee was subject to a minimum assessment agreement in 2023, with an assessed valuation of at least $200 million. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Iowa woman accused of attempting to force minor into commercial sex acts. An Iowa woman has been charged with human trafficking after the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation says she tried to force a minor to engage in commercial sex acts at a hotel earlier this year. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: 3 injured in head-on crash near Coon Rapids. Three people are injured after a vehicle crossed the center line and struck another head-on in Greene County, according to an Iowa State Patrol crash report. The crash occurred on Apple Avenue, just south of 320th Street near Coon Rapids. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Trump cuts tariffs on China after meeting Xi in South Korea. President Donald Trump described his face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday as a roaring success, saying he would cut tariffs on China, while Beijing had agreed to allow the export of rare earth elements and start buying American soybeans. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: DOJ prepares to send election monitors to California, New Jersey following requests from state GOPs. The Department of Justice is preparing to send federal election observers to California and New Jersey next month, targeting two Democratic states holding off-year elections following requests from state Republican parties. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Cedar Rapids woman accused of driving drunk with children in the car. A woman from Cedar Rapids was arrested after police say she was seen driving while intoxicated with her two children in the car. Ateanna Hayes was arrested Tuesday at 8th Ave Bridge SW in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids Police took her to the Linn County Jail. She was given a breathalyzer test, which returned a blood alcohol content of 0.232. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Temperatures in the 50s through Sunday with a couple of sprinkles early Saturday. In the 60s Monday and Tuesday.

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

Obesity is still in, flatulence is back in
The world's number of obese and overweight humans cracked the one billion mark this fall. The U.S. male obesity rate cracked the world's top 10. All nine countries ahead of us are Pacific Island nations with American Samoa bull-rushing their way to No. 1. (Vietnam has the lowest female obesity rate and Ethiopia has the lowest rate among men.)

Nestlé, the Swiss maker of Nescafe coffee and Purina pet food, decided to discontinue its participation in the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, following a review of its external organization memberships. “Nestlé remains steadfast in delivering against the objectives in our dairy climate plan and net zero roadmap,” their spokesperson said. This was seen as a big win for the "Let Cows Fart" movement. 

Deals today
• Jasper Winery hosts a pie and cider pairings event tonight through Sunday. $35. 

• Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Thursday special for $20.95 is half a fried chicken with potato, side of spaghetti, and a salad. Lunch and dinner.

• Mullets Norwalk offers two two-topping pizzas for $20 on Thursdays 4 p.m. to close.

• Buzzard Billy's (615 Third St., Des Moines) has $2 off appetizers on Thursdays.

• Whatcha Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a pork belly burnt ends special on Thursdays.

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $10 country fried breakfasts and $9 tenderloins or shrimp/fish tacos on Thursdays.

• Ruth's Chris (Ashworth Road at Jordan Creek Parkway) has a Thursday special with their decadent RBAR burgers and fries going for $16.

• Steak Nights: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Johnny's Italian Steakhouses (before 4 p.m.), Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola); and Hy-Vee Market Grilles. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a ribeye special on Thursdays. Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) offers ribeyes and sirloins only on Thursdays after 5 p.m.

• Sprockets (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a breaded pork tenderloin special on Thursdays for $9.99.

• Mullets has a Thursday pizza special, buy one large specialty pizza and get a free 14-inch 2-topping pizza.

• Mariscos El Pirata (6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) offers $2 off all sushi on Thursdays.

• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.

• Amruth Indian Grill (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) offers an all-you-can-eat dosa (gram/rice flour crepes) buffet on Thursdays, 5:30-9 p.m. $18.95.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a "Comfort Thursday" special chicken fried De Burgo, a gluten free spin on DSM's classic. $16

• The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.

• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) has $7 loaded fries on Thursdays.

• Aldi stores haves sales through Tuesday on avocados at 59 cents, chicken breast at $2.19/pound and most all cheeses and charcuterie packages. 

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Day of the Dead: 
The Des Moines Art Center hosts its annual Dia de los Muertos on Nov. 2, with music, dance performances, costumes, a film screening and a community ofrenda on display through Nov. 16. This year’s celebration is inspired by the concurrent exhibitions “Manuel Álvarez Bravo:Collaborations” and "Aliza Nisenbaum: Día delos Muertos.”
A related performance of the bilingual play “Sugar Skull!” is set for Nov. 8 as part of the Wellmark Family Series at the Des Moines Civic Center.
 
Greater Des Moines Exhibited2025(ish)
This is an annual show where Des Moines area artists can submit up to three works to be blindly judged by this year’s juror, Charles Borowicz. Works selected for awards will receive a cash prize up to $350. Submissions for the show will be open through Monday, Nov. 17.

Final weekend to enjoy the family show, “Beetlejuice Jr.” through Nov. 2. 

AUDITIONS – CAP Theatre. “The CAP Radio Hour: Live! (Holiday Edition)” Monday, Nov. 3, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Book events:
The Little Book (Highland-Oak Park). Read & Rhyme Storytime with Miss Rebecca. Wednesdays, 10:30-11:15 a.m. (recurring Wednesday event for joyous storytime fun)
Storyhouse Bookpub. Family Falliday Party with Nos Boos and Des Moines Performing Arts. Saturday, Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Storytimes at 10:30 and 11 a.m.
Beaverdale Books. Larry Baker. “Tell It Slant.” Tuesday, Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

1864: The city of Helena, Montana, is founded after miners discover gold. On Oct. 30, 1864, the town of Helena, Montana, is founded by four gold miners who struck it rich at the appropriately named “Last Chance Gulch.” ... READ MORE

1938: Orson Welles’s “War of the Worlds” radio play is broadcast. “The War of the Worlds” — Orson Welles's realistic radio dramatization of a Martian invasion of Earth—is broadcast on the radio on Oct. 30, 1938. ... READ MORE

1991: “Perfect storm” intensifies in the North Atlantic. On Oct. 30, 1991, the so-called “perfect storm” intensifies in the North Atlantic, producing remarkably large waves along the New England and Canadian coasts. Over the next several days, the storm spread its fury over the ocean off the coast of Canada. The fishing boat Andrea Gail and its six-member crew were lost in the storm. The disaster spawned the bestselling book The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger and a blockbuster Hollywood movie of the same name. ... READ MORE

 www.history.com