😎 1 big thing: Des Moines' hot girl summer

Illustration of a cornstalk and two goldfinches silhouetted against a sun and sky in neon colors. 

2. The skinny on our population growth

3. DSM's Pride Month

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4. Calling out anti-refugee rhetoric

A photo of Drake University President Marty Martin.

5. The Ear: Hot, buttered happenings

Illustration of an ear of corn with hundred dollar bills as the husk. 

6. 1 sweet thing: Graduation

A photo at North High School's graduation

⚡ Situational awareness: Ownership of the Dico Superfund site downtown was officially transferred to DSM Friday.

Today's Smart Brevity count is 898 words — a 3.5-minute read.

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DSM's hot girl summer — Calling out anti-refugee rhetoric

Des Moines

Picture of the Des Moines skyline with DSM written across it.

Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta.

Axios Des Moines

1 big thing: Des Moines' growing immigrant population

2. About that police de-escalation decision

Illustration of many magnifying glasses examining a police badge

3. Court Avenue security will cost you $320k

Illustration of a giant security camera watching a small person on their cell phone.

4. The Ear: Ears what's poppin'

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5. Slipknot is coming home

☀️ Today we've got clear skies, full hearts, can't lose — finally! High of 79.

🚦 Question for you: As traffic ramps back up — what roads do you dread commuting through? Hit reply and we'll share your thoughts in a future newsletter.

Today's Smart Brevity count is 921 words, a 3.5-minute read.

🙃 Our sign of summer: Linh found a snake ball in her backyard. (Don't Google it if you don't like creepy crawlies.)

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Of note: You can get free Axios swag by referring them to our newsletter. Details here.

DSM's huge immigration growth — Court Avenue's security costs

🕹1 big thing: DSM's new esports league

2. Worker shortage puts wet towel on pool season

A photo of Teachout Aquatic Center in Des Moines.

3. Your Memorial Day weekend plans

Strawberries growing at Des Moines City Hall.

4. 🍥 Up your ramen game

5. Restoring our memorials

6. Your thoughts on a recent headline

A pothole along Grand Avenue in Des Moines.

🎖 It's Friday, nearly the start of Memorial Day weekend. We're excited about:

🍹 "Fleetwood at Saylorville," a new floating bar that opens today.

🎭 The return of the Broadway Series at the DSM Civic Center, including "Hamilton" and "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Today's Smart Brevity count is 877 words — a 3-minute read.

👀 Watch out, Gov. Reynolds: Auditor Rob Sand isn't running for a congressional seat but he's still mulling over a go for your gig, our friends at the Carroll Times Herald report.

🇺🇸 To all our readers whose loved ones have given their lives defending our nation, our hearts go out to you in gratitude.

We'll return Tuesday. Thank you for reading. 

New esports league — How to up your ramen game

1 big thing: Language barriers and worker shortages

2. $2.5K to spiff up your home

3. Mollie Tibbetts: Rivera takes the stand

4. 🍝 New eats: Anna Dolce

5. 🔥 Hot homes

The exterior of a home at 33078 Fox Creek Dr, Waukee.

6. 👋 Tweet of the day: Hello, 2024

A screenshot of a tweet announcing that Mike Pompeo is coming

☂️ Hopefully we're wrong, but expect rain all day long.

Today's Smart Brevity count is 940 words — a 3.5-minute read.

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Language barriers in DSM — Mike Pompeo returns to Iowa

1 big thing: Our open enrollment challenge

Illustration of two people divided by a school notebook, one black student pointing one while the white student looks up with arms on her hips

2. DSM's new $2 million software 

3. Ranking the commute convenience of gas station foods

4. The Ear: Corn for less than a buccaneer

Illustration of corn with bills as the husk falling away

5. Get free Axios swag!

6. Trivia answer!

The outside of the Almost Free store in Des Moines.

👋 Hiya, Des Moines — welcome to Tuesday.

We've got a 50% chance of rain and a high of 79°. Let's do this.

💡 Trivia time: What is the name of Des Moines' eclectic version of a dollar store on the city's northside? (Answer at the bottom.)

⚡️ Situational awareness: DSM’s police de-escalation training will soon be conducted by a third-party nonprofit group, Mayor Frank Cownie announced last night. The decision follows months of public criticism concerning excessive force by training leaders.

Noteworthy: Today is the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, which has fueled national calls for police reforms.

Today's Smart Brevity count is 945 words, a 3.5-minute read.

Worthy of your time: George Floyd’s family members hope to turn May 25 into an annual remembrance called the Day of Enlightenment.

Join the Zoom rally today to get involved.

Axios Des Moines

Newsletter editions

DSM's hot girl summer — Calling out anti-refugee rhetoric

New esports league — How to up your ramen game

Language barriers in DSM — Mike Pompeo returns to Iowa

DSM's huge immigration growth — Court Ave.'s security costs

Open enrollment troubles — The best commute foods