See The Difference with Channel 13 News Special Reports
Channel 13 News invites you to take a look at some of our recent special reports and you'll clearly see what we mean by "See The Difference."
Exploring new angles, giving important stories the time they deserve, taking the time to fully explain complicated stories and telling you things that you didn't know before.
And keep watching for more special reports and special coverage and you'll see what we mean by "See the Difference" on Channel 13 News.
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13 CARES: A metro mentoring program is helping students learn to love reading Video
A unique mentoring program in the metro requires only one lunch hour a week. Rebecca Christian has been part of it for six years. more
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RENEW IOWA: New home is first certified green home in the metro
A metro family says they just moved into their dream home, and it just so happens to be easy on the environment. The home is the first to be certified green in the metro by the National Association of Home Builders. more
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CAPITOL CHALLENGE: Three Republicans fighting for gubernatorial nomination
At one point you couldn't count the number of Republicans interested in running for governor of Iowa on two hands. But in the last few months, Republicans started to take their names out of the race. more
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ANDY ANSWERS: Andy Fales asks more questions about metro mysteries. Video
According to historians, Des Moines was founded in 1834 . You'd think that--after 176 years--everything about it would make perfect sense. more
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FILM FIASCO: Former head of Iowa Film Office hopes to disqualify the Attorney General's Office from prosecuting him
Tom Wheeler's motion to disqualify the Attorney General from prosecuting the case against him hinges on his claim the Attorney General has a conflict of interest, because as a former state employee, Wheeler was once represented by the A.G. more
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13 CARES: An Iowa soldier is trying to help the children of Afghanistan get an education Video
At Cowles Elementary in Windsor Heights, students are on a mission. more
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FILM FIASCO: Correspondence shows those running the film tax credit program had questions on how it should be implemented Video
Luxury cars and $900 step ladders. The state says they are just two examples of how film makers took advantage of the film tax credit program. more
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13 CARES: Jumping rope to help fund heart research and treatment Video
It's a familiar sight in school gyms everywhere -- arms swinging, feet hopping, ropes smacking. "We jump for people with sick hearts who can't participate like other kids and people in hospitals," says Olivia Leach. more
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COURAGEOUS WRESTLER: The drive to compete hasn't been dampened by the health problems of one metro wrestler Video
Iowans take their wrestling seriously. Ask any wrestler or coach and they'll tell you it takes tenacity, training and true grit. more
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UNDERCOVER PAWN: Des Moines' pawn shops refuse "stolen" items Video
Back in November, several teens were charged with ransacking homes on the South Side of Des Moines. Police believed some of the things they stole, like laptop computers and other high end electronics, could have been pawned off. more
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13 CARES: A Grimes 8-year-old is helping other kids by volunteering at Child Serve
In Mrs. Thompson's classroom at South Prairie Elementary in Grimes, the kids are reading "Woodrow the White House Mouse", coloring, and squirming. No surprise since it's 2:30 p.m. on a Friday! more
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HEART MATTERS: An Iowa teen's doctor calls for an expensive test to investigate a heart condition but insurance refuses to pay for it
Kati Gehringer is a typical teenager. She plays volleyball, runs track and was a member of the Martensdale -- St. Mary's homecoming court last fall. more
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BUCS HOCKEY: Up and coming athletes may be the next stars of the Olympics
Perhaps the most excited for the Winter Olympic Games to begin are up and coming winter sports athletes like our very own Des Moines Buccaneers. The young players could one day find themselves headed to the competition. more
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IOWA ICON: A simple sandwich has a special place in Iowans' hearts Video
It's a sandwich that named a franchise, but never really had a name of its own. more
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FIT FOOTWEAR: Channel 13's Jannay Towne finds out if a switch in shoes is all you need to shape up your body Video
How would you like to lose weight while gaining muscle tone and all without spending hours at the gym? It may sound too good to be true, but the latest trend in athletic shoes promises to help you look your best one step at a time. more
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TEST POLICE: Insurers hire help to monitor doctors' testing Video
In Washington, the debate continues over the government's role in health care. But doctors say there's already someone playing a role in your care, you probably don't know about. You won't ever meet them, but they could have the final say in your health care decisions. more
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ICE PRINCESS: An Iowa teen reaches for her dreams Video
In a cold, lonely rink, 16 year-old Amanda Teel glides across the ice effortlessly. Beneath the emptiness, she lands jump after jump, and perfectly executes one spin after the other. It's a feeling like no other more
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BUDGET BUSTERS: Part two of Sonya Heitshusen's investigation takes a look at how much the city Des Moines pays in membership dues to organizations Video
In part one of our investigation we told you the Des Moines Mayor and Council exceeded their travel budget three years in a row. In addition, Des Moines taxpayers footed the bill for the memberships to the organizations sponsoring many of the out of state conferences. more
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BUDGET BUSTERS: Sonya Heitshusen investigates travel expenditures for the Des Moines Mayor and City Council Video
In the last year, a lot of us traveled less to save money in a worsening economy. Some Des Moines leaders did just the opposite. They traveled more. They traveled around the country, even the globe. more
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FITNESS BOOM: Fitness industry isn't taking a hit in this economy Video
Every week The Biggest Loser on NBC inspires Americans to change their lives and lose pounds, including people right here in central Iowa. If you've been inspired, you're not alone. more
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13 CARES: Couple working to bring literacy to impoverished Honduran community
A Midwestern man and his Honduran wife are working to change the future of some of the world's poorest children. more
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13 CARES: A metro dance studio is offering one group of students a freeing opportunity Video
At a metro studio dance is many things to many people, and for one group -- dancing means fun, and freedom. "I feel excited and happy," says Maddie Miller, "I'm just glad to be here." more
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13 CARES: A near-death experience leads a West Des Moines teen on a mission to save others Video
In the spring soccer season is in full swing, but the last game of the season between rivals Valley and Dowling came to an abrupt halt last May. more
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IOWA ICON: Some of Iowa's sporting legends remember Hawkeye-great Nile Kinnick Video
We got just 24 years of Nile Kinnick, but the impact he made in each stage of his life was profound enough to last. more
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PAWN POLICING: Iowa law enforcement looks at new ways to track stolen property at pawn shops Video
Hundreds of metro homeowners have been the victim of break-ins. Police aren't only trying to catch the criminals, they're trying to track down your stolen property. "Not all items in pawn stores are stolen," says Des Moines Police Sgt. Lori Lavorato. "Whenever there is a burglarly, sometimes you,... more
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HOME PROTECTION: A string of recent home break-ins in the metro has residents focusing on home security
Police say the numbers are shocking, even to veteran officers. From the beginning of June, 2009 through the end of September police in the Metro suburbs responded to more than 100 break-ins to homes and vehicles. Many of the intruders entered through garage doors that were open or unlocked. more
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CANCER SURVIVOR: An Ankeny seven-year-old is sharing his battle with cancer to help other kids beat the odds
Liam Reinier was the in the fight of his life back in 2006. The four-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called myelodysplasic syndrome. Doctors said he had, at best, a 25-percent chance of survival. more
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MONEY SAVERS: See how you can get the best deals on holiday airfare Video
Saving money at the airport begins when you arrive. more
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13 CARES: A unique church congregation, in a surprising place, is making a difference in women's lives Video
There are many different types of religious services, and people attend them for a variety of reasons. One church congregation in central Iowa is changing lives and entire communities in a surprising setting. more
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ACORN HEADACHE: A group that's supposed to help homeowners in foreclosure has dropped out of sight in the metro
In fiscal year 2008, ACORN Housing received more than $11 million in federal funding and direct public support. That money was supposed to be used to help people find low-income housing and assist homeowners in foreclosure with mortgage counseling people like Andy Russell. more
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PASSION TO PAYCHECK: How to earn money doing something you love Video
Worrying about being laid off or looking for work may have you looking for a new opportunity. Experts have advice on how you can turn your passion into a paycheck, even in these tough economic times. more
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COVERT KITCHEN: Channel 13's Brooke Bouma helps you get an inside look at Meredith's test kitchens Video
Meredith Corporation is one of downtown Des Moines' most familiar buildings. But what happens inside might surprise you. more
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MIRACLE MUTT: A new children's book describes the improbable journey of one dog, all made possible by a Marine Video
A Marine with Iowa ties is getting national attention for a children's book he just wrote. Major Brian Dennis is a 1989 West Des Moines Valley graduate whose father still lives in the metro. He was recently featured in People Magazine and appeared on The Tonight Show to share his amazing story about... more
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MONEY SAVERS: Channel 13's Dan Winters explores the benefits of flexible spending accounts Video
The Meredith Corporation, famous for its magazines, employs about 1,000 people in Des Moines, but only one third of them have enrolled in what are called flexible spending accounts or "FSA's". "It is such a simple program and it makes so much sense to take advantage of it." said Meredith Vice... more
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FIREFIGHTER FASHION: Iowa State research and design team develops new protective gear for firefighters Video
Researchers and designers are teaming up to develop new protective gear for first responders. Iowa State is one of eight universities taking part in a project to redesign firefighting gear from head to toe. more
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13 CARES: A local organization is trying to help make immigrant's businesses a success Video
It can be hard starting your own business and being self-employed, but imagine if you weren't from this country and didn't know the language or the laws! A metro organization is working to help immigrants make their mark in Iowa, and it is this week's "13 Cares" segment. more
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SPACE SURPLUS: Channel 13's Dave Price looks into whether developers overbuilt in downtown Des Moines Video
When you drive through downtown Des Moines, you can't help notice the signs...for sale, for lease, for rent. They surround properties around some of the cities newest attractions like the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden and the Principal Riverwalk. But are they signs developers got a little overanxious... more
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13 CARES: One man's experience in receiving a kidney prompts him to start a foundation to promote organ donation Video
On the evening of November 20th, 2006 bright, funny, beautiful Erika Schwager walked out the door and never came home. A crash with a fire truck silenced the teenager's laughter. more
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TOO CONNECTED: Channel 13's Andy Fales takes a look at whether the quality of communication is lost within all its new mediums Video
These are modern times, but we are spending more time than ever on something we've been doing for a million years. Walk around any high school or college campus and you'll hear some of the same things that we did. more
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IHSAA INVESTIGATION: Channel 13's Sonya Heitshusen takes a look at how much money schools are reimbursed by the IHSAA for playoff expenses
It takes years to train and condition a top athlete. For many student athletes, a trip to the playoffs or state tournament is their reward. Those trips, however, are not cheap. more
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COMPETITION COSTS: Channel 13's Sonya Heitshusen takes a look at the organization profiting from high school sports playoffs and tournaments Video
More than 150,000 of Iowa's junior and senior high students played a sport during the 2008-2009 school year. Only 17 other states reported more student participation and all of them are more densely populated. more
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13 CARES: A special group helps gives some mended little hearts a normal Halloween Video
The costumes at a local Halloween party run the gamut, but the knight, the monkey and the rabbit all have something in common, and it isn't a love of sweets. It's life threatening heart conditions. "He had his first surgery when he was nine months old," Alicia Hall says of her son, Joey. Before... more
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13 CARES: A family's dedication to children with special needs spans several generations Video
Many people spend their golden years relaxing, traveling and spending time with loved ones. LuVern Shiffler has done all of that, but so much more. "Children have been a joy to me," she explains. more
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IOWA ICONS: Legendary broadcaster will always be a Hawkeye Video
Channel 13's Andy Fales takes a look at the long and prosperous career of Iowa broadcaster Jim Zabel. more
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FIGHTING BACK: A family hopes their story of battling mental illness will encourage others to seek help Video
Matt Connolly was the type of child every parent dreams of having. "My dad thought he was going to be President of the United States someday," says his mom Angela. "That's how special he was!" Matt was good in school, played sports and was student body president. But after he started college,... more
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MONEY SAVERS: You could earn a double bonus on your first home purchase, but time is running out Video
You might expect major problems in a four bedroom, two bathroom home for $99,000. But the house at 1510 12th St. and others like it are basically brand new. more
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SMART CAR: Iowans opting for Smart Cars say its not unusual for people wanting to know more about the vehicle to follow them home
In the line up of green cars on the market, few turn heads on the street like the Smart Car. Iowans opting for Smart Cars say it's not unusual for people to follow them home wanting to know more about the vehicle. more
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Dream Job: Working from home seems like a great idea to many Iowans, but experts warn to investigate all the angles before diving in Video
Thousands of Iowans have ditched the office and clock in at home. More could work from home down the road as laid-off workers look for new opportunities. But, before you turn your home into an office, experts say do your homework. more
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Mortgage Mishap: A home loan nightmare leaves a couple jumping through hoops when their mortgage is sold
Kimberly and Lance Schrodt are venturing into new territory. They have a new dog, are newly married and they have a new mortgage. more
