Johnston Supports Mom With Cancer — And Other Picks From Our Iowa Patches

Johnston Local Editor Ashlee Kieler touched readers this week with the story of Brandi Beckman, who, after living in Illinois for several years, came home to Johnston to continue her battle against stage-four breast cancer. She's surprised to find people she doesn't know joining in the fight.

In West Des Moines, Local Editor Beth Dalbey told readers about a substitute teacher allegedly showing third-graders a video clip of nude adults playing Frisbee and consuming alcohol.

If you want to help an Urbandale mom get a product she invented on the shelves of Walmart stores, read Local Editor Anne Carothers-Kay's story and vote before April 3.

Cedar Falls Local Editor Alison Gowans continues to keep readers up to date on the protests swirling around the decision by University of Northern Iowa officials to close Malcolm Price Laboratory School and eliminate 60 academic programs. Click here for a rundown of events planned for this week.

Some Ankeny residents are also unhappy, after a split decision by the Ankeny City Council to raise the city's property tax rate 85 cents for the 2013 budget year. Join the ongoing discussion here.

Mickey's Irish Pub in Waukee came out on top of Patch's "Best Place to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day" contest for Des Moines area Patches. Today, check out each Iowa Patch site for a new contest: Favorite bar to watch March Madness games.

Ames Local Editor Jessica Miller spent some time with Mary Swander, the state's Poet Laureate and an Iowa State University English professor

In Iowa City, we took a look at the influx of Chinese undergraduates enrolled in the University of Iowa. Some said they came for the small-city atmosphere, others because of the fame of its writers workshop, and others for scholarships.

Marion Guest Editor Hope Nealson took a nostalgic stroll through the city's Uptown District, proving you can go home again. And you'll still find Maid-Rite and Zoey's Pizzeria when you get there.