FROM KCCI: MercyOne Medical Center to lay off 67 workers in Des Moines. MercyOne Medical Center will let go of dozens of workers in March, citing "escalating costs." According to the Iowa Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) log, 67 workers at MercyOne in Des Moines will be let go March 17. That's in addition to 40 jobs being cut as part of a MercyOne closing in Ottumwa at the end of February. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: DMPD files charges in firearm trafficking, gang investigation. The Des Moines Police Department has filed several charges after serving search warrants at three locations Thursday morning. The DMPD stated Thursday morning that the searches were in connection with an investigation into illegal gun trafficking and gang activity. Authorities say warrants were served at two apartments in the 6000 block of Creston Avenue and a home in the 1700 block of Beaver Avenue at 6 a.m. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa House lawmakers hear feedback on dueling property tax proposals. Iowa lawmakers heard an hour's worth of public feedback Thursday as two major property tax reform proposals began officially moving through the Legislature. The plans, backed separately by House Republicans and Gov. Kim Reynolds' office, would make significant changes to how local governments collect revenue and, in one case, how some county officials are selected. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Israel will reopen Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt on Sunday, after nearly 2 years of closure. Israel said Friday that it will reopen Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt in both directions over the weekend, allowing Palestinians to enter and leave the territory after nearly two years of closure. COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of coordinating aid to Gaza, said in a statement on Friday that “limited movement of people only” would be allowed. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Trump’s border czar suggests a possible drawdown in Minnesota, but only after ‘cooperation’. The Trump administration could reduce the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota, but only if state and local officials cooperate, the president’s border czar said Thursday, noting he has “zero tolerance” for protesters who assault federal officers or impede the ongoing Twin Cities operation. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Dubuque man accused of stealing $2,100 in comic books from Iowa City store. The Iowa City Police Department has arrested a man from Dubuque, alleged to have stolen thousands of dollars in comic books from an Iowa City store. Police charged Dakota Goarcke, 32, with second-degree theft. A criminal complaint says around 4:40 p.m. on March 19, 2025, he stole seven comic books worth $2,100 total from Bartertown Toys and Collectables. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Cold and dry weather continues through Saturday. Light snow is possible Sunday and again Tuesday as we warm into the 30s.

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

• Hy-Vees offer $5 fish and chips Friday, $14 ribs Saturdays and eight-piece chicken buckets for $10 on Sundays.

• Machine Shed (11151 Hickman, Urbandale) offers smoked prime rib on Saturday only. Whatcha Smokin? (Luther) offers smoked Dino beef ribs on Saturday only. 

• All you can eat spaghetti is today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola). This Saturday is catfish day. Sundays, pan fried chicken is on special.

• Saturday is wine sampling day at Graziano Brothers.

• ShortE's BBQ (8805 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) offers  "kids eat free" deals on Friday and Saturday. They have a Friday special pulled pork sandwich, fries and fountain drink for $12.


• Amruth (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) has 20 dishes on its new Saturday and Sunday buffet, noon to 4 p.m. Of course, there will be dosas.

• Waterfront stores' Saturday special includes cocktail shrimp or raw oysters on the half shell for half price until 4 p.m.

• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers Surf & Turf specials Fridays and $33 prime rib dinners Saturdays.

• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) does Saturday and Sunday brunch buffets for $24.99 for adults. Kids 6 and younger eat free.

• Rube's steakhouses offer a prime sirloin special on Sundays only, $29.

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $9 Philly cheesesteaks or hot honey chicken plus $8 biscuit and gravy breakfasts on Fridays.

• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) offers walleye or steak dinner specials tonight and karaoke after 9 p.m. They have a 10 for $10 wings deal on Sundays. 

• Jethro's Sunday special is burger baskets with fries for $9.95. Fridays they have open-faced turkey sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy for $12. 

• G Mig 's has Friday prime rib dinners with baked potatoes and asparagus for $32 or seafood Newburg for $28. Saturday's special is breaded pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes for $18.50.

• 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.

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

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

• Aldi stores haves sales through Tuesday on mandarins at $2.69/3-pound bag, avocados at 45 cents and bacon-wrapped jalapenos at $6.49/pound.

• Fareways have specials through Saturday on Iowa chops at $2.48/pound, boneless chicken breasts at $1.99/pound and strawberries for $2.88/pint.

• Whole Foods (4100 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers $1 oysters on Fridays with good selection and free shucking. 

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Sunday on boneless NY strips at $12.99/pound and through Tuesday on Coho salmon filets at $6.99/pound and sirloin tip roasts at &5.99/pound.

• Price Chopper stores have sales through Monday on strawberries, raspberries and blackberries at $2.50/box, frozen tilapia filets at $4.49/pound and catfish nuggets at $1.99/pound.

Music
Kenni Falls plays Kelly's Little Nipper at 7 p.m. Friday… El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m... The Diplomats of Solid Sound play Ingersoll Theater at 5:30 p.m. Friday, and The Weary Ramblers play there Saturday at 5:30… The Sheet plays Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille, Ankeny at 8 p.m. Friday... Willie Shay plays Simon’s at 7 p.m. Friday... Andy Classen/Tanner Taylor Duo plays Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m. Sunday... JJ & The Boys play Mickey's Irish Pub, Waukee, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1956: Martin Luther King Jr.’s home is bombed. On Jan. 30, 1956, an unidentified suspected white supremacist terrorist bombed the Montgomery home of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. No one was harmed, but the explosion outraged the community and was a major test of King’s steadfast commitment to non-violence. … READ MORE

1972: “Bloody Sunday” in Northern Ireland. In Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 13 unarmed civil rights demonstrators are shot dead by British Army paratroopers in an event that becomes known as “Bloody Sunday.” The protesters, all Northern Catholics, were marching in protest of the British policy of internment of suspected Irish nationalists. British authorities had ordered the march banned, and sent troops to confront the demonstrators when it went ahead. The soldiers fired indiscriminately into the crowd of protesters, killing 13 and wounding 17. … READ MORE

1994: Dan Jansen skates world-record 500 meters. On Jan. 30, 1994, the American speed skater Dan Jansen sets a new world record of 35.76 at the World Sprint Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  … READ MORE

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