Local Culture & Travel: Clayton County Museum Crawl is back for summer road-trippers, starting at the Wilder Memorial Museum in Strawberry Point; grab a stamped passport, hit 8 of 17 participating museums, and submit it by June 30 for a $250 grand prize. Community Spaces: Marshalltown’s Apgar Family Water Plaza held its grand opening, with hundreds of kids enjoying the new splash feature after a ribbon-cutting and dedication. LGBTQ+ Health & Pride: Capital City Pride in Des Moines is leaning hard into wellness—rides, a 5K, and even powerlifting—aimed at tackling LGBTQ+ health disparities and making sports feel safer. Pride Month Pushback: In Des Moines, activists protested a church sign reading “Ditch Pride. Embrace Humility,” arguing it clashes with inclusion goals during Pride Month. Books & Local Business: Ames’ Dog-Eared Books spotlights the power of independent bookstores, community events, and a small café—built by two longtime Ames friends. Education & Civics: Iowa’s new law requires public university students to take American history and U.S. government courses to graduate, framed as a civics reset ahead of America’s 250th. Sports & Identity: A Pride-linked “Embrace the Race” 5K in West Des Moines celebrated inclusivity for all bodies, paces, and abilities as part of Iowa Juneteenth festivities. Food & Summer Support: Iowa continues expanding free summer meal sites statewide, offering free lunches for kids and teens.