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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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
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Investigation: DART Bus Safety Part One Photo
Several DART drivers have spotty records, serious enough to disqualify them from working at other transit agencies. Channel 13's Sonya Heitshusen took an in depth look at DART's hiring policies. See what she turned up. more
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Investigation: DART Bus Safety Part Two Photo
A transportation consultant says hiring practices may be part of the problem, but solutions will only come with a complete review of DART. Sonya Heitshusen has the second part of her in-depth look at DART. more
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Investigation: DART Bus Safety Part Three Photo
Channel 13's Sonya Heitshusen investigates the financial cost DART faces with lawsuit settlements for accidents involving pedestrians. more
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A Fairytale Ending Video
As a child growing up, Danessa Aunspach's nickname was "Princess". At 21, she's wishing for a fairytale ending. Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, her days are numbered. The only thing she asks and hopes for is to not be a financial burden to her family. more
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Money Savers: Recession Dating
Brandon Thompson and Jocelyn Stull honed their dating skills earlier this year as members of the Juice Magazine "Singles Crew." A photographer followed them to local hang-outs, as they searched for love. more
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Pigeon Racing Video
Andy Fales introduces one Iowa man competing in the little-known world of pigeon racing... more
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Studies Weigh Risk and Reward of HPV Vaccine Video
New studies admit there are side effects to the HPV vaccine but claim they are mostly mild. more
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Safety Of Gardasil Vaccine Questioned Video
In August of 2007, Lisa Holtman took her daughter Ashley to get the vaccine Gardasil. It was approved by the FDA the year before to prevent the sexually transmitted disease that causes genital warts and cervical cancer. "I didn't question it, " says Holtman. "Why would I? It's a vaccine so I... more
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Money Savers: Auto Mechanics Video
You seldom think about your car's engine or tires, until something goes wrong. By then, it can consume your life and your bank account. Channel 13's Dan Winters has some tips on how to keep down the cost of repairs. more
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Beer 101 With Andy Fales Video
It's thought that the Neolithic people actually gave up hunting and gathering to become farmers to grow grain to make beer. So for the last 6,000 years, we've been all about it. more
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Back Pain Treatment Investigation Photo
Lester Mitchell, an 84-year-old retired farmer, has battled back pain -- "For a long, long while." His first back surgery in 1956 was the first of many. more
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Iowa Icons: Chariton's Ben Franklin Store Video
Andy Fales shows us a small-town store working to stay open on an Iowa town square... more
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Money Savers: The Library Can Help Video
Forget the Dewey Decimal system. The library has gone high tech! Don't forget the dozens of ways the library can help you save. If you're looking to find a job, fix your car, rent a movie, or entertain your kids... You need to take a look at this story. more
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Money Savers: Taste Test
Some items at the grocery store taste the same, they just look different because of the packaging. On average, thrifty shoppers can save 10% to 30% on groceries by buying generic labels instead of name brands. But how will they hold up in a side by side taste? more
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Ryan Goes to China Video
Last year, Erin Kiernan introduced the story of one student's struggle to get around campus as a person in a wheelchair. Now, he's traveling around the world in search of treatment. more
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Homeschooling In Iowa Video
Eighteen-year-old Evan Johnson is about to become the first student to graduate from an exclusive school in Ames. Since kindergarten, his home has served as the classroom. At his school, his dad is the superintendent and principal and his mother is the teacher. more
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Lexie's New Smile Photo
Lexie Blonigan has been hiding her smile for years. "Oh, you don't brush your teeth," kids would tease me, "Why are your teeth so yellow? You must eat too much candy!" more
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Homeless Heroes: Veterans' Struggles, Part Two Photo
In Part One, we introduced you to a Vietnam veteran who has spent the last four decades battling to get his life on track. In Part Two of our series on homeless veterans, a veteran of recent combat in the Middle East shares his story of the struggle to save himself from an all too-common fate. more
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Homeless Heroes: Veterans' Struggles, Part One Photo
The issue of homelessness has garnered much attention in the metro recently, following a fire at homeless camp along the Des Moines river. While it is no secret many of the homeless people living in tents and so-called hooches are veterans, we don't often examine the question of 'why'. more
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Iowa Icons: Graziano Brothers Photo
For over a hundred years, Des Moines' south side has had that Italian flavor -- as strong and distinct as the families who brought it here. Today, many of those families have moved out to the suburbs, but a few of their landmarks remain. more
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Keeping Tabs On Registered Sex Offenders Photo
Public safety, a deterrence to reoffend and an investigative tool for law enforcement, those are the three goals of Iowa's Sex Offender Registry. more
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Lead Dangers Remain In Polk County Photo
When Renee Craddock bought her home on Gray Street, she planned on remodeling. She never dreamed the house would have to be gutted because of lead contamination. more
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Central Iowans Talk Twitter Photo
What are you doing? That simple question, presented on the social networking site Twitter, has hundreds of Iowans signing up to answer. more
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Money Savers: Cheap Eats
The way coupon clippers see it, some people just don't get it. "A lot of the younger people haven't been taught to shop for the bargains," says Vickie Blair, as she shops for low-priced items out of the store's weekly flyer at Hy-Vee Grocery in Urbandale. Learn how to take advantage of the best... more
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Job Seekers
Meet some of the Iowans searching for jobs in this tough economy and learn how they're tackling the job market. more
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Families Fight For Health Care For Autistic Children Video
Ethel Faust and Danielle Sharpe have been fighting for months to get Wellmark to cover their sons' autism treatments. "I found it very frustrating," says Faust, "Both as a parent and as a professional." more
