A bill advancing in the Iowa House would require public schools in the state to display "In God We Trust" at the main entry of school buildings.

Des Moines, located where the Raccoon River and Des Moines River meet, officially got it's name on this date in 1857.

Also, legislators considered a bill that would enhance penalties for individuals who wear a hood in an effort to conceal their identity while committing a crime.

A spokesperson for the Des Moines Fire Department told Local 5 a call came in around 9:50 a.m., reporting flames and smoke coming from Help a Mind Thrive, Keep a Book, a used bookstore and donation center. No one was in the building when the fire started, the spokesperson said.

Des Moines is among the top ten metros for tech growth in the Midwest. Doug Ressler with Yardi Matrix, a real estate data and research firm, says central Iowa has a lot of positive factors, but the main one may be less population density.

Des Moines city leaders are addressing a $17 million budget shortfall by planning cuts that aim to minimize the impact on essential services.