Surprise Lilies Are in Full Bloom across Iowa

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
August 20, 2025 4:43 pm

This reliable bloomer surprises gardeners every summer As we enter the last days of summer and gardens begin their transition to autumn, one common garden bulb surprises us with its beautiful and unexpected blooms: the surprise lily.

The Catt Award is Back

SECRETARY OF STATE
August 20, 2025 4:43 pm

We’re excited to announce the return of the Carrie Chapman Catt Award for the 2025–2026 school year! This program empowers Iowa high schools to register eligible students to vote, and celebrates those that reach key milestones along the way.

Secretary Pate's 2025 Iowa State Fair Straw Poll Shows Iowans' Preferences

IOWA SECRETARY OF STATE
August 18, 2025 7:51 pm

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate today announced the results of the unscientific Iowa State Fair Straw Poll. The poll, which closed Sunday at 8pm, allowed fairgoers to cast their preference for candidates for the 2026 gubernatorial, senatorial, and congressional races.

Notary Public Learning Conference

SECRETARY OF STATE
August 18, 2025 7:00 pm

Friday, September 12, 20258:00 AM – 2:00 PMState Historical Building, Des Moines600 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50319 Learn the basics, explore real-life notary scenarios, and hear from experts, including a guest from the National Notary Association.

Mark Your Calendar for August 26

SECRETARY OF STATE
August 18, 2025 2:07 pm

Begin requesting absentee ballots on August 26. The Regular City-School Election is on Tuesday, November 4, and now is a great time to start planning your vote.

Back in time…Evergreen Cemetery

BENTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
August 18, 2025 2:06 pm

It’s always fun to take a step back into our history and remember the things that happened in the community some 100+ years ago. Here's an article about our cemetery.

Kids Share Thoughts about Careers, Education and Fair Favorites with Treas.Smith

STATE TREASURER
August 18, 2025 11:37 am

Children attending this year’s Iowa State Fair have been sharing their thoughts about future careers, education and their favorite fair activities with State Treasurer Roby Smith in the ISave 529 booth, in the Varied Industries Building.

What We're Reading: Neon Gods

VINTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
August 16, 2025 7:18 pm

If you like your books with a little heat (okay... a LOT of heat), this one’s for you.Add a dash of fantasy, a pinch of mythology, and you’ve got a seriously spicy retelling you won’t want to put down.

What we're reading: Last Resort

VINTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
August 14, 2025 12:10 pm

'Our Last Resort' by Clémence Michallon is the second suspenseful thriller I’ve read by this talented French author—and I’m hooked on her writing style!Frida and Gabriel, now adults, escaped the cult they were raised in.

What we're reading: Dear Martin

VINTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
August 12, 2025 10:34 pm

Review of "Dear Manny" by Nic Stone:Some time ago, I read a book titled 'Dear Martin,' by Nic Stone. I really liked it, although it wasn’t a pretty story with sunshine and rainbows.