1 big thing: Ingersoll theater tenant backs out

2. A development bonus: 515 Euclid Ave.

Des Moines weekend plans: Dec. 1-3

3. Your weekend plans

A photo of a Christmas celebration at Living History Farms in Urbandale.

1 upgrade to go: Meals on Wheels


⛄️ Weather: Slight chance of snow with a high of 38°.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Des Moines member Tiffany Allison! And an early happy birthday to member Diana Deibler!

📡 Situational awareness: Iowa's first Best Buy Teen Tech Center has a soft opening today during Mainframe Studios' First Friday event, from 5-8pm.

Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 679 words — a 2.5-minute read.

🎷 Jason is catching a holiday show at Noce.

🇯🇵 Linh returns from a vacation to Japan!

Today's newsletter was edited by Everett Cook and copy edited by Lucia Maher.

Des Moines

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

Axios Des Moines

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1 big thing: Losing gray foxes

2. Iowa's Gerry Turner opens up about "The Golden Bachelor"

3. The Ear: Viva la vittles

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4. 🪦 Prime real estate

It's Cyber Monday — let's charge ahead!

🌬 Weather: Mostly sunny with a high of 32°.

🎂 Happy belated birthday to our Axios Des Moines members Tara Mattiussi, Cathy Cory and Andy McGuire!

Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 815 words — a 3.5-minute read.

They can sign up for our free newsletter here.

1 big thing: Metro homeless program to close

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New jobs to check out

2. Mapped: Nursing home vaccinations

3. The Ear: Right to the pith

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4. 🕵️ Where's Jason?

🌤 Weather: Partly sunny with a high of 44°.

🎈 Happy birthday to our Axios Des Moines member John Pietila!

🤞 Third time's the charm: Two previous attempts to launch this season's activities at Brenton Skating Plaza were foiled by warm weather.

Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 659 words — a 2.5-minute read.

🥶 Survivor Iowa: A NY Times reporter who is a lifelong California resident seeks winter survival tips for his two-month assignment in the Hawkeye state.

Hit reply. We'll publish a few tips in an upcoming newsletter.

1 big thing: WDM may outsource its food pantry

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Plan your future

2. The end of an era: Metro AMC cineplexes

3. The Ear: Your news corn-erstone 

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4. News deserts

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Read about some worthy metro charities that need your help.

🌤 Weather: Mostly sunny with a high of 35°.

🤝 Consider contributing to our mission-driven journalism by becoming a member today! You'll support our growth and in return get exclusive perks.

🍺 That includes an invite to the members-only event on 12/7. 

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Des Moines member John McGowan!

Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 841 words — a 3-minute read.

🎢 1 shared thrill to go: For every 2024 season pass to Adventureland purchased today, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa will receive a free amusement park ticket to distribute to the families it serves.

Brazen rash of ATM burglaries reported in Des Moines, multiple states

1 big thing: Bold ATM burglaries on the rise

2. Morning Routine: Wini Moranville

3. The Ear: Tassels and highlights

1 fun thing to go: "Authentic" DSM-isms

☀️ Weather: Sunny with a high of 47°.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Des Moines members Mary Riche and Maggie Douglas!

😱 Oh my: Zoomers will overtake boomers in the workforce next year.

Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 721 words — a 3-minute read.

👀 For political watchers: "An evening with Charlie Cook" is at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorim tonight at 7:30pm.

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Linh here. Last month, we fondly remembered Lost Planet — a mysterious place near Water Works Park where teens used to hang out.

Driving the news: A common question we got from readers — what is happening at Lost Planet now?

State of play: Axios Des Moines reader Wendie O'Brien owns land near Lost Planet and brought me out to see what's become of it.

Her family previously owned Robin Hills Stable, a horse riding academy near the lime pit area.

Now, she calls her land "Robin Hills Meadows" and brings her horses there to ride.

The big picture: While walking the bridle path along Water Works Park, I saw Lost Planet is mostly vegetation with tall pampas-like grass as far as the eye can see. Water Works uses it to dispose of the river silt it can't reuse.

Even though it's not totally desolate land anymore — it definitely still has an other-worldly feeling.

Go deeper: Learn more about DMWW and how they clean your water here.

Pampas-like grass near Des Moines Water Works lime pit.

What Lost Planet in Des Moines looks like now

The area is used now to dispose of river silt and is full of vegetation.

A popular spot at Lost Planet where teens used to hang out. Photos: Linh Ta/Axios

Linh here. Last month, we fondly remembered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lost Planet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/27/remembering-lost-planet-teens-hang-out-halloween" data-vars-content-id="1621cea0-c1be-4a16-a123-3ed8de91bf71" data-vars-headline="What Lost Planet in Des Moines looks like now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/27/remembering-lost-planet-teens-hang-out-halloween" target="_self">Lost Planet</a> — a mysterious place near Water Works Park where teens used to hang out.Driving the news: A common question we got from readers — what is happening at Lost Planet now?

News

Axios Des Moines, anchored by Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.

Wini Moranville knows Des Moines' dining scene. She, worked as the Register's Datebook Diner for 15 years, has written and edited Meredith publications, freelanced for dsm Magazine and published several cookbooks.

Driving the news: She's now writing her own weekly newsletter through the Iowa Writers Collaborative, where she dishes out her latest restaurant scoops, openings, reviews and profiles of local chefs and bakers.

State of play: Moranville says the biggest change to Des Moines' dining scene over her career is the city's evolution from a "red sauce spaghetti" bastion to more global dining choices (though she still loves the meat and potato dishes).

The other thing that's changed? An explosion of breakfast options.

But don't ask her quite yet for brunch recommendations: "I never went out that much because for a long time, we didn't have that many options!" she says.

⏰ Wake up: 6:30am. "I don't set an alarm, it's just when I wake up."

🍳 Breakfast: Toast, half a bagel or an English muffin with a cup of PG Tips tea. She's a fan of Aldi's sourdough bread.

Later, she makes a "thick, dark" cup of café au lait.

📚 What she's reading: The Des Moines Register and then Axios Des Moines.

💡 Pro tip: For people trying to get into writing, set a deadline.

"I have to have a fire lit underneath me."

How Des Moines dining expert Wini Moranville starts her day

Moranville writes a weekly column giving insight on the latest local food news.

Wini Moranville. Photo: Andy Lyons/Cameraworks

Wini Moranville knows Des Moines&#x27; dining scene. She, worked as the Register&#x27;s Datebook Diner for 15 years, has written and edited Meredith publications, freelanced for<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" dsm Magazine" data-vars-click-url="https://dsmmagazine.com/" data-vars-content-id="56313d43-7888-4404-b555-c9cb26a7bf09" data-vars-headline="How Des Moines dining expert Wini Moranville starts her day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dsmmagazine.com/" target="_blank"> dsm Magazine</a> and published several<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" cookbooks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.amazon.com/Books-Wini-Moranville/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AWini+Moranville" data-vars-content-id="56313d43-7888-4404-b555-c9cb26a7bf09" data-vars-headline="How Des Moines dining expert Wini Moranville starts her day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Books-Wini-Moranville/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AWini+Moranville" target="_blank"> cookbooks</a>.Driving the news: She&#x27;s now writing her<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" own weekly newsletter" data-vars-click-url="https://winimoranville.substack.com/?fbclid=IwAR1p3JFm1DCLqWuyqPfKpG1bSXlv5CZWMTpQwRqlCX_0SScQG_Ewg7-oAzs" data-vars-content-id="56313d43-7888-4404-b555-c9cb26a7bf09" data-vars-headline="How Des Moines dining expert Wini Moranville starts her day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://winimoranville.substack.com/?fbclid=IwAR1p3JFm1DCLqWuyqPfKpG1bSXlv5CZWMTpQwRqlCX_0SScQG_Ewg7-oAzs" target="_blank"> own weekly newsletter</a> through the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Iowa Writers Collaborative" data-vars-click-url="https://iowawriters.substack.com/about" data-vars-content-id="56313d43-7888-4404-b555-c9cb26a7bf09" data-vars-headline="How Des Moines dining expert Wini Moranville starts her day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://iowawriters.substack.com/about" target="_blank"> Iowa Writers Collaborative</a>, where she dishes out her latest restaurant scoops, openings, reviews and profiles of local chefs and bakers.

Food and Drink

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Despensary, a popular shop selling CBD and THC products in Des Moines, has been suspended by the state from selling consumable hemp products for 30 days.

Driving the news: The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) wrote in a letter sent to Despensary on Nov. 14 that the suspension was due to the business selling "non-conforming" products at its Court Avenue store and online.

The department will also not consider approving consumable CBD and THC products for Despensary's planned second location on Ingersoll until its current Court Avenue location is under compliance, according to the letter, which the department shared with Axios.

Yes, but: Despensary's chief operating officer Sabrina Bergloff tells Axios its products all conform with the state's guidelines and there's been a lack of communication from HHS.

Why it matters: Iowa strictly regulates recreational marijuana, but some hemp products are legal as long as the THC is capped at .3%.

That's created confusion and gray area as loopholes have helped Delta 8 and Delta 9 products become more popular, and there are still conflicting rules between state and federal laws.

How it works: Retailers that sell consumable hemp, such as Delta 9 gummies, and cannabis-infused drinks, are required annually to send their product list to the state for approval.

State of play: On Aug. 23, Despensary sent a list for review, according to the suspension letter. The state declined multiple "hemp-based flower products" on the list because they didn't meet the state's testing requirements for consumable hemp.

Despensary removed those products from their list and the store's registration was approved Aug. 31.

On Sept. 2, Despensary tried to get the flower products approved again. But the state's suspension letter noted Despensary sent duplicate documents that were already not approved.

On Sept. 30, state officials found Despensary was selling the unapproved flower products, resulting in the suspension.

What they're saying: "Despensary has continually failed to comply with Iowa law, as demonstrated by multiple historical actions against its registrations," the letter notes.

The other side: Bergloff says she did not hear back from the state in September regarding the flower and believed the store could sell it.

She also believes the products met the state's testing requirements and noted Iowa's hemp regulations are stricter than what's required under federal law.

Meanwhile, Bergloff submitted an already-approved list of cannabis products for the Ingersoll store and believes the state should approve them rather than tying it to the Court Avenue location.

Iowa orders Despensary to suspend consumable CBD, THC sales

The popular store in Des Moines is facing a 30-day suspension.

The storefront for Despensary at Ingersoll

The new location of Despensary on Ingersoll Avenue. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios

Despensary, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="popular shop selling CBD and THC products" data-vars-click-url="https://despensary.com/" data-vars-content-id="5c7db9c0-c068-4503-91ac-e69f677bd5a2" data-vars-headline="Iowa orders Despensary to suspend consumable CBD, THC sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://despensary.com/" target="_blank">popular shop selling CBD and THC products</a> in Des Moines, has been suspended by the state from selling consumable hemp products for 30 days.Driving the news: The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) wrote in a letter sent to Despensary on Nov. 14 that the suspension was due to the business selling &quot;non-conforming&quot; products at its Court Avenue store and online.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

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Statewide sightings of the elusive gray fox have dwindled to worrisome levels over the last five years, Iowa DNR biologist Vince Evelsizer tells Axios.

Why it matters: Commonly found in southern and eastern parts of the state, the 10-pound mammals are native to Iowa and play an important role in our state's ecosphere.

They help control small prey like rodents and birds while dispersing seeds from the plants they eat.

What's happening: Because these "street smart" creatures are so hard to catch, Evelsizer says it's been difficult for the DNR to determine why their population is declining.

Forest habitat loss, disease or other predators could be hurting them, but the DNR won't know for certain until they can catch, track and take blood samples.

They're offering trappers $400 for live, healthy gray foxes and are asking the public to report sightings, especially from trail cams.

By the numbers: The Iowa DNR relies on hunters to report sightings to determine the population count.

While gray fox numbers have always been low, they've continued to trend downwards over the last 25 years.

In 2022, there was less than one gray fox sighting per 1,000 hours of bowhunting compared to three sightings back in 2005.

The intrigue: Other Midwest states including Ohio, Illinois and Indiana have also reported a fall in sightings.

But gray foxes are still prominent in the southern U.S. and even northern Minnesota, to the point that they are not considered an endangered species.

What's next: No one has turned in a single gray fox since trapping season started Nov. 4.

Since catching them is going at a "snail's pace," Evelsizer expects it could take years before they get enough gray foxes to figure out what's happening.

The bottom line: "Every species that was native to Iowa is valuable," he says.

Iowa's gray foxes are disappearing — and researchers don't know why

The 10-pound mammals play an important role in Iowa's ecosphere.

Gray fox. Photo: Sylvain Cordier/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Statewide sightings of the elusive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gray fox" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/2039/5-cool-things-to-know-about-gray-foxes" data-vars-content-id="9d70ad9a-d0fc-4642-bf9c-fd421ce4c8e1" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s gray foxes are disappearing — and researchers don&#x27;t know why" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/2039/5-cool-things-to-know-about-gray-foxes" target="_blank">gray fox</a> have dwindled to worrisome levels over the last five years, Iowa DNR biologist Vince Evelsizer tells Axios.Why it matters: Commonly found in southern and eastern parts of the state, the 10-pound mammals are native to Iowa and play an important role in our state&#x27;s ecosphere.

Gerry Turner, the 72-year-old star of "The Golden Bachelor," will decide who he wants to spend the rest of his life with in the series' upcoming finale on Nov. 30.

Why it matters: The prime-time television show features contestants in their 60s and 70s, helping normalize dating for older adults.

Driving the news: Before the airing of the season finale, Turner chatted one-on-one with Axios Des Moines.

Q: You grew up in Iowa. Is there any Midwest influence in your dating style?

A: "All the time that I spent in Los Angeles, I heard frequently from cast members and crew, a reference to the Midwest work ethic and the positivity that people bring from the Midwest and our willingness to not give up."

"When you apply that to dating, it really paid a lot of dividends."

Q: What have you learned about yourself from being on the show?

A: "I've learned that I have a lot more stamina than I realized — that I can live and function on a lot less sleep than I thought I could."

"I think on the emotional side of it, I've learned that my feelings are a lot closer to the surface than what I realized."

Q: Do you still plan on living or staying in the Midwest?

A: My plans are pretty open. At this point, I like where I live (Indiana). I like the friends that I've developed over the last four or five years."

Q: The last thing I have to ask you — what's the secret behind your hair? How do you keep it so lush and full?

A: "I'll give you my regimen. This morning, I got in the shower. I turned on really hot water and I stood there waking up. That was the extent of washing my hair."

"I dried it, brushed it a number of times, put a little product in ... and that's it for the rest of the day. I don't prim or pimp around too much on it."

The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner shares his dating style and hair tips

The star of The Golden Bachelor gives us his full hair regimen.

Gerry Turner (right) gives a rose to Leslie Fhima (left) on "The Golden Bachelor." Photo: Courtesy of ABC

Gerry Turner, the 72-year-old star of &quot;The Golden Bachelor,&quot; will decide who he wants to spend the rest of his life with in the series&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="upcoming finale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCPIqmTEl8Q&amp;ab_channel=BachelorNationonABC" data-vars-content-id="cf3778a3-ab61-4716-8d6e-0a3175033e1c" data-vars-headline="The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner shares his dating style and hair tips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCPIqmTEl8Q&amp;ab_channel=BachelorNationonABC" target="_blank">upcoming finale</a> on Nov. 30.Why it matters: The prime-time television show features contestants in their 60s and 70s, helping normalize <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dating for older adults" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/09/28/gerry-turner-golden-bachelor-iowa" data-vars-content-id="cf3778a3-ab61-4716-8d6e-0a3175033e1c" data-vars-headline="The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner shares his dating style and hair tips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/09/28/gerry-turner-golden-bachelor-iowa" target="_self">dating for older adults</a>.

Linh Ta

Stories

How Des Moines dining expert Wini Moranville starts her day

Iowa's gray foxes are disappearing — and researchers don't know why

The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner shares his dating style and hair tips

What Lost Planet in Des Moines looks like now

Iowa orders Despensary to suspend consumable CBD, THC sales

Newsletter editions

🎭 Ingersoll theater drama

🚨 Family shelter shutters

🏧 Brazen cash burglaries

🍿 Bye bye, Johnston-16

🕵️ Seeking gray foxes