You couldn’t miss the Des Moines Media Group at the 2025 Iowa State Fair, broadcasting, hosting, competing, and even cooking pork chops. The Des Moines Media Group helped to keep children safe and families happy all through the fair from the Kid Find Headquarters, presented by Goodwill.
LAZER 103.3:
Wickett judged the Mr. Legs Contest, hosted the Cow Chip Throwing Contest, and judged the Mumus & Mimosas for Bubbly Bar Contest.
Ethan judged the Mullet Contest, served as the celebrity pork griller for the Iowa Pork Producers, and also the celebrity bingo caller for the Blue-Ribbon Foundation.
Styles judged the Iowa State Fair Parade, competed in the Cow Chip Throwing Contest, and served as the celebrity pork griller for Iowa Pork Producers.
STAR 102.5:
Ken judged the Auctioneer Contest.
Tawinee judged the Mullet Contest and the Mr. Legs Contest.
93.3 KIOA:
Leigh judged the Iowa State Fair Parade and was the served as the celebrity bingo caller for the Blue-Ribbon Foundation.
Luke hosted the Mr. Legs Contest and organized and competed in the Cow Chip Throwing Contest.
Jeriney hosted the Mullet Contest and served as the celebrity pork griller for the Iowa Pork Producers.
104.1 EZ FM
Tony Jones entered a photo of the Yonkers building fire and participated in the Cow Chip Throwing Contest.
See the best of the best in Central Iowa as voted on by YOU in the Des Moines’ People’s Choice!
STAR 102.5 asked Girl Scout parents and troop leaders to submit their Girl Scout Cookie booth locations and times, and Ken and Tawinee randomly picked ten different booths to visit. They purchased $102 of Girl Scout Cookies, and the Girl Scout Cookie Buyout sponsor Anderson Erickson Dairy joined to donate each troop a YUM certificate.
All 170 boxes of cookies, in addition to ten cases of milk from AE Dairy, were donated to the Food Bank of Iowa.
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LAZER 103.3’s Walking Fed, presented by Confluence Brewing Company, is a mission to fight food insecurity for kids across Central Iowa heading into spring break with the Food Bank of Iowa. In 2024, we raised over $29,000 and sought to reach a higher goal of $30,000 this year.
Thanks to the help of LAZER 103.3 listeners, The Walking Fed raised $36,680 between donations collected online and a charity auction. The Walking Fed auction included autographed guitars signed by Chevelle and Motley Crue, a drumhead signed by Godsmack, a Zamboni ride at an Iowa Wild Game, a first pitch at an Iowa Cubs game, and other experiences like joining a LAZER jock at a concert and having Heather Lee officiate a wedding.
The event was headlined by a 12-hour ‘Rock In’ broadcast on March 7, 2025, featuring Heather & Wickett, Suzi, and Styles hosting their shows from the Food Bank of Iowa. The Walking Fed presenting sponsor Confluence Brewing Company matched the first $5,000 in donations and also joined us to volunteer during the ‘Rock In’ event.
Heather and Wickett also participated in various challenges suggested by listeners to collect more donations, including the following:
- Wickett gets a Packers tattoo from Lucky Gal, which collectively brought in over $700. Shadow in Ames started it and crowd sourced the rest!
- Heather will be participating in “Climb For Air” for the American Lung Association, sourced from Robert’s $100 donation.
- Tarantula Lucy donated $100 and crowd sourced over $500 for Heather to hold a Tarantula.
- The Drinking Team Assemble Podcast donated $200 to have Heather guest host, and they raised an additional $700+ at/during the recording.
- Fed Ex Paul donated $200 for Heather and Wickett to join him for softball.
- Wild Wade donated $1,000 for Wickett to shred a pair of crocs and another $500 for Heather and a guest to attend Hank Williams Jr.
- Bills Mafia Chris gave $390 for Heather and Wickett to attend a future Bills Game at the Bills Bar
- Unidentified texter donated $200 for Heather and Wickett to pie each other in the face.
- Annie from Pella donated $100 for Wickett to do rainbow hair.
- Nathan and Marc both donated $350 for The Blank Park Zoo “Choose Your Own Adventure” videos, totaling $700.
- Detroit Fan paid $100 for Wickett to sing the Lion’s fight song.
In the last 8 years, LAZER 103.3’s The Walking Fed has raised over $143,000 for the Food Bank of Iowa. The Walking Fed Food Drive, Confluence Brewing Company, and LAZER 103.3 are proud supporters of the Food Bank of Iowa. The Food Bank of Iowa strives to meet the critical needs of a diverse population through its network of partner agencies in 55 Iowa counties. The partners include food pantries, community meal sites, shelters, daycares, and residential care centers, as well as child and senior programs, including the School Pantry Program serving over 100 schools and the BackPack program, serving over 5,000+ kids! The Food Bank of Iowa needs help year-round. Monetary donations can be made at their website, and you can also volunteer your time there.
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WATCH:
STAR 102.5’s Combat Hunger, presented by Community Choice Credit Union, works to help the Food Bank of Iowa provide meals for Iowans in need. Over the years, Combat Hunger has provided millions of meals through food drives all across Central Iowa.
VIDEO: Tawinee explains the difference between the Food Bank of Iowa and your local food pantry.
With the 34th Annual Combat Hunger, donations were collected online, at the STAR 102.5 studio, at Community Choice Credit Union, and at the Food Bank of Iowa, where STAR 102.5’s Ken and Tawinee, Jimmy Wright, and Karess Carter hosted a 12-hour broadcast.
LISTEN: Ken and Tawinee interview Michelle Book, Rob Lembke, and Bergetta Beardsley during the 12-hour broadcast at the Food Bank of Iowa
The 39th Annual Combat Hunger brought in $12,190 in cash donations online and collected 638 pounds of food.
LAZER’s 9th Annual Costumes for Kids delivers Halloween joy to hundreds of Iowa households!
In partnership with Goodwill of Central Iowa and our new costume caravan, vehicle sponsor Iowa Auto Exchange, the LAZER 103.3 team delivered costumes and accessories to Children and Families of Iowa, a local non-profit organization that distributes the costumes to kids who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford one.
LAZER listeners dropped off new and gently used costumes at the LAZER studios throughout the 3-week campaign and helped raise a total of $4,276.24 through cash donations at the radio station and metro Goodwill of Central Iowa locations. Goodwill hosted two “round-up” weekends supported by remote broadcasts – in which every purchase made by Goodwill shoppers could “round up” to the nearest dollar, with all that money going directly to the cause.
Halloween in Des Moines, known as “Beggar’s Night,” is a beloved local tradition where kids and their families celebrate community and giving. Gifting costumes to families in need has not only become a staff favorite for Heather, Wickett, Suzi, Styles, and Samantha, but local TV partners have embraced the campaign as well. Hello Iowa’s Megan Reuther looks forward to the drive every year.
There is no greater joy than seeing a smile on a child’s face. Looking forward to our 10 year anniversary, Heather & Wickett’s Costumes for Kids continues to grow with a passionate response from every member of the community!
Heather and Wickett’s Costume of Kids is a proud supporter of Children & Families of Iowa. Children & Families of Iowa is all about restoring hope, building futures, and changing lives for thousands of Iowans every year. They touch lives in every community across the state and make a difference for people who have nowhere else to turn. For more information on CFI or to make a direct donation, please visit their website.
When Waukee Northwest High School football coach Corey Kopatich mentioned in a TV interview that he doesn’t know the music his players listen to at practice and that he’d rather listen to some ’80s music, 93.3 KIOA’s Luke & Jeriney knew they had been called upon.
The KIOA morning team talked on air, then posted to their social media accounts for anyone that knew how to get them in touch with Coach Kopatich to reach out. Within hours, text messages began to be exchanged and a plan was put into action – Luke & Jeriney would be coming to not just a practice, but the team’s annual “Meet the Wolves” night at Northwest High School’s stadium.
On August 22, Luke & Jeriney were warmly welcomed by the entire Waukee Northwest athletics staff and Northwest Football Parent Representatives. Luke & Jeriney not only got to play the ’80s tunes that Coach had requested, but they also got to emcee the evening’s activities, including scrimmages from all three grade levels of teams, player introductions, and introductions and routines from the school’s dance and cheer squads.
“What started as a silly radio segment turned into something really fun and special,” said Luke Matthews. “We never imagined it’d become what it did, but the staff at NWHS couldn’t have been kinder.”
While Luke did his best to not mispronounce names, Jeriney hobnobbed with Westy, the Wolves roaming mascot as well as Bohdi, the official living, breathing mascot!
“I left Luke in the booth and went looking for the mascots,” Jeriney smirked. “I love ’em, especially one as cute as Bohdi!”
The evening’s fun even brought a return trip by KCCI-TV, who did a follow-up story about the morning duo being asked to play music for Coach Kopatich and his staff. Watch the story now.
Listen to Luke & Jeriney weekday mornings, 5:30-10:00am on 93.3 KIOA.
It was another great year at the Iowa State Fair! View photos and hear stories from The Des Moines Media Group’s time at the Fair as radio personalities broadcasted lives from KidFind Headquarters, presented by Goodwill of Central Iowa!
KIDFIND HEADQUARTERS
Ken & Tawinee chat with Katelyn, the manager for the Farm Bureau Cookout Contest
Tony Jones at the Iowa State Fair
Ken and Tawinee talk with Doug from Vinton as he prepares for the Farm Bureau Cookout Contest
Luke & Jeriney broadcasting live from the Fair
Leigh McNabb broadcasting live from the Fair
Farm Bureau Cookout Contest first timers, mother/son duo Connor and Carolyn from Gilbert chat with Ken & Tawinee
LISTEN: 93.3 KIOA’s Luke & Jeriney recap the Fair.
CONCERTS
Foreigner said goodbye to Des Moines with one final show at the Iowa State Fair. Earlier this year, 93.3 KIOA held a Youth Choir Competition for choir groups to submit their group singing a Foreigner song to then be voted on by listeners. The winners, Johnston Middle School Choir Boys, got to perform on stage with Foreigner.
See photos from different concerts at the Grandstand:
SKY GLIDERS FIRST TIMERS CLUB
STAR 102.5’s Ken & Tawinee hosted a contest for listeners to join the Sky Gliders First Timers Club in honor of the 50 year celebration of the sky glider. Josh and his daughters Zaria and Onyx from Bondurant, Amy and Emily from Ames, and Kati who just moved here from Tennesee with her family rode the sky glider for the first time! Hear what they had to say with Ken and Tawinee:
AIR GUITAR CONTEST
Before the Hairball show, 93.3 KIOA hosted an Air Guitar Contest! Cody Baxtor from Des Moines won the contest and walked away with a shiny blue ribbon and major rock’n’roll bragging rights.
MR. LEGS CONTEST
At the Mr. Legs Contest, 93.3 KIOA’s Luke Matthews hosted, STAR 102.5’s Tawinee and LAZER 103.3’s Suzi judged, and LAZER 103.3’3 Wickett participated.
You nominated your favorite businesses, voted on the finalists, and now the winners are here! See all the winners in Des Moines’ People‘s Choice, presented by Pure Salon.
On Wednesday, May 22, Ken, Kurt, & Tawinee from STAR 102.5 hosted a game night at B&B Theatres in Ankeny. Listeners had the chance to hang out with the STAR on-air talent while competing in various games to win gift cards to local businesses and other prizes.
