Twelve questions about the Des Moines City Council runoffs a week from today: 1. If Skip Moore beats Leisha Barcus in the at-large race and Tom Vlassis beats Halley Griess in Ward 1, who's the big winner? Full Article at Des Moines Register

The applause fell in sheets on four luminaries at the black-tie opening for the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in September, one of whom was Des Moines City Council member Christine Hensley. Full Article at Des Moines Register

Cuts to front-line police and fire personnel should be a last resort as city officials decide what they'll eliminate to overcome a $5.7 million shortfall in next year's budget, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie said. Full Article at Des Moines Register

Police are investigating the theft of a motorized bicycle from a carriage house on the property of Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie. Officers were called to the 600 block of Harwood Drive about 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Full Article at Des Moines Register

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie today called upon citizens to rededicate themselves to public service to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Full Article at Des Moines Register