Jodi Long

Des Moines

Anchor and Reporter at KCCI-TV (Des Moines, IA)

@KCCINews Anchor / Reporter. Believer ✝️ Wife. Mommy of two. Award winning journalist and tv news anchor.

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Articles

This Is Iowa: 'Food rescue' volunteers hungry to serve

1 week ago | kcci.com | Jodi Long

Gas stations and convenience stores across Iowa are known for being fully stocked with a wide variety of food, and some of that food gets a second chance every week. Volunteer retirees from WayPoint Resources map out their route around Dallas County, finding food in need of rescuing from local businesses; food that is on the brink of expiring. "It's food that's still good," says Jen Beyers, WayPoint Resources food pantry manager.
United Way of Central Iowa report reveals community challenges

1 week ago | kcci.com | Jodi Long

DATE CHANGE. WELL, DOZENS OF CENTRAL IOWA NONPROFITS WERE RECOGNIZED TODAY. IT WAS ALL PART OF THE THE UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA’S LIVE UNITED LUNCHEON. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF EMCEEING THIS EVENT TODAY. THE UNITED WAY UNVEILED ITS 2025 COMMUNITY REPORT THERE. IT DETAILS THE CHALLENGES OUR COMMUNITY IS FACING IN THE AREAS OF ESSENTIAL NEEDS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING. 35% OF CENTRAL IOWANS CANNOT AFFORD THE BASICS IN LIFE.
Special census reveals how fast Ankeny is growing

3 weeks ago | kcci.com | Jodi Long

Ankeny has grown to Iowa's fifth-largest city, and there are no signs of it slowing down.According to the results from the city's special census in 2024, Ankeny's population grew to 76,207 with 31,829 housing units. Since its last census record in 2020, 8,000 people moved to town.
Iowa female entrepreneurs seek community over competition

3 weeks ago | kcci.com | Jodi Long

Women-owned businesses are among the fastest-growing in the state. They make up 43% of businesses in Iowa, according to the Small Business Association, and continue to outpace the number of businesses started by men since the pandemic. Chantel Noel giggles as she explains the amount of time she spends at her artisan plant shop, Petals and Moss. "I'm here pretty much every day," Noel smiles.
Des Moines' Howe Elementary hosts stylist to braid students' hair

1 month ago | kcci.com | Jodi Long

This week, Howe Elementary School turned its school library into a hair salon. More than a dozen girls have a newfound confidence after getting their hair styled by a professional. Mae Jackson, the owner of Des Moines' Mae Slays Braids, volunteered her time and hair products to braid the students' hair. Jackson's love for styling hair is more than just a skill; it’s her way of spreading self-love and confidence. "Hair is literally the first impression someone gets of you," she said.
Don Graves broke color barrier as Iowa's first Black high school coach

1 month ago | krdo.com | Jodi Long

By Jodi LongClick here for updates on this story DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Don Graves’ quaint northside home feels more like a museum. The longtime cross country and track coach earned countless accolades and awards during his impressive 41 years at Des Moines Schools. Many of those memories and plaques hang on the walls of his basement, in the home he and his wife have shared for the last five decades. Graves, 89, coached the majority of his career at East High School.
Don Graves broke color barrier as Iowa's first Black high school coach

1 month ago | kcci.com | Jodi Long

Don Graves' quaint northside home feels more like a museum. The longtime cross country and track coach earned countless accolades and awards during his impressive 41 years at Des Moines Schools. Many of those memories and plaques hang on the walls of his basement, in the home he and his wife have shared for the last five decades.Graves, 89, coached the majority of his career at East High School. He has nearly every picture and newspaper clipping from that time to prove it.
Black-owned publications amplifying community storytelling

2 months ago | ktvz.com | Jodi Long

By Jodi Long Click here for updates on this story DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Dwana Bradley never dreamed of publishing her own magazine. This year, the Des Moines Urban Experience turns 10. “It’s just crazy,” she said. “Looking back on those stories that we’ve covered, people in our own community, being on the front cover.
Iowa writes connect community and culture

2 months ago | kcci.com | Jodi Long

Dwana Bradley never dreamed of publishing her own magazine. This year, the Des Moines Urban Experience turns 10. "It's just crazy," she said. "Looking back on those stories that we've covered, people in our own community, being on the front cover. It was made out of just wanting to have representation, and we've held true to that for the last 10 years."The magazine doesn't focus on mainstream stories that are covered by other news outlets.
KCCI Investigates: Can DEI work be undone at Iowa's colleges and universities?

2 months ago | kcci.com | Jodi Long

Eighteen-year-old Dornubari Godpower knows in-state tuition would be a lot less expensive, but recent anti-DEI laws have her choosing to look at colleges outside of Iowa. "It just makes me speechless," she said.