The majority of Des Moines residents say they prefer to get their local news from TV stations, despite the growing popularity of digital news consumption, according to Pew Research Center.

Why it matters: Staying on top of local news helps us become better citizens in our community.

There was a sharp increase in the number of opioid-related deaths last year, according to preliminary local, state and federal counts.

Why it matters: The data reflects what drug-policy advocates have been warning about. Powerful synthetic drugs — fentanyl can be 100 times more potent than morphine — are becoming more common.

Des Moines is resurrecting an effort to ban urban roosters because of ongoing noise complaints.

Flashback: An effort in 2018 was derailed by urban farmers who packed City Hall to speak in favor of their feathered friends.

Rollerskating is the hot trend right now, but the city has had a long and internationally-known history with the sport.

Flashback: It all started in the Des Moines metro when Ramona and John Muse built a roller rink called Skate West in 1972. The Muses and their six children lived next door, and by the time their kids knew how to walk, they knew how to skate, too.

Vague language associated with last month’s federal stimulus have prompted local and state governments to delay decisions about how to spend their share of the $1.9 trillion.

• That's according to multiple state and local officials during a Taxpayers Association of Central Iowa meeting last week.

Why it matters: There are spending deadlines and concerns that our local governments won’t be able to fully or best utilize allocations.