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Axios Des Moines Deep Dive

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 Thought Bubble

Axios Des Moines

Iowa Republicans say they plan on amending a bill that would have severely restricted what food SNAP recipients could buy at the store.

After a debate yesterday morning, the bill will just restrict candy and non-zero calorie pop purchases, pending USDA approval.

Driving the news: The first draft of House File 3 prompted national outrage due to a section limiting the foods SNAP recipients could purchase to a  state-approved WIC list.

WIC, which is meant to be a supplemental aid for women, infants and children, doesn't allow for the purchase of a wide range of basic groceries, such as fresh meat and white bread.

Yes, but: Advocates from food nonprofits say there are still several issues with the bill that could hurt low-income families, including requiring an "asset test" to qualify for SNAP. 

The test requires the state to consider a household's bank accounts, vehicles and cash on hand. 

What they're saying: Requiring an asset test could create a cliff effect that hurts low-income families trying to save money for a down payment or their kids' college education, said Lina Tucker Reinders of the Iowa Public Health Association, during the meeting.

Working parents could also risk losing SNAP, especially if they're in a rural area and may need two vehicles, said Luke Elzinga of DMARC.

The other side: House Republican Ann Meyer said the bill's intention is to ensure the "right people" are receiving SNAP benefits.

"They're all your tax dollars," Meyer said.

What's next: The bill passed the subcommittee and will be considered again during the session.

Iowa lawmakers back off severely restricting SNAP eligible foods

The bill now bans SNAP recipients from purchasing soda and candy.

Illustration of a slice of bread with peanut butter in the shape of a worried face

Iowa

Iowa Republicans say they plan on amending a bill that would have severely restricted what food SNAP recipients could buy at the store.<ul><li>After a debate yesterday morning, the bill will just restrict candy and non-zero calorie pop purchases, pending USDA approval.</li></ul>

Politics

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.

The Des Moines metro is expected to have one of its most "diverse and lucrative," years of sporting events yet in 2023. 

Driving the news: A record-breaking number of sporting events and attendees are expected to converge in the metro this year, according to Catch Des Moines, a convention and visitors bureau.

The event calendar starts with 20,000 people for the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament in March, Greg Edwards, CEO of Catch Des Moines, tells Axios.

State of play: There will "easily" be over 100,000 people here combined for events like the AAU Junior Olympic Games, Hy-Vee IndyCar Race, Ironman 70.3 and even a major league "Quidditch"-type game.

Flashback: 20 years ago, venue bookings in Des Moines were primarily for conventions (80%), while sporting events only made up 20%, Edwards says.

How it happened: Building more sports complexes that also provided indoor spaces over winter, like the Iowa Events Center and the new 300,000 square-foot MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, Edwards says. 

The intrigue: Edwards, who bids on events to bring them to DSM, says it's helpful to target more niche sports, such as skateboarding or archery.

What's next: Construction on several more major sporting venues is underway, including Grimesplex, Ignit Sports and Recreation Complex and phase two of the Prairie Trail Sports Complex.

Des Moines' busiest-ever year for sports

A wide variety of events will be held in the metro, drawing at least 100,000 attendees.

Illustration of a basketball, football, and baseball in a popcorn bucket.

The Des Moines metro is expected to have one of its most &quot;diverse and lucrative,&quot; years of sporting events yet in 2023. Driving the news: A record-breaking number of sporting events and attendees are expected to converge in the metro this year, according to Catch Des Moines, a convention and visitors bureau.

Sports

Saturday's RAGBRAI route reveal is one of the state's most anticipated announcements, as Iowans prepare to don their spandex again and voyage across the state on two wheels. 

State of play: We asked you recently for guesses on this year's route — and you all most certainly believe Des Moines will return as an overnight town again for the first time in a decade.

The majority of guesses are that the route starts at Sioux City, then goes to Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Ames, Des Moines, Grinnell, Iowa City and ends in Davenport.

🤔 Our guess: We've been a bit nosy ourselves in trying to figure out the big route.

The only hint we've found is a 2013 photo uploaded by the Register to its public photo service site on Jan. 25 with the caption, "RAGBRAI last visited Des Moines in 2013."

What's next: Attend Saturday's announcement party for $50 or watch on Facebook between 8-8:30pm to learn the route.

RAGBRAI 2023 route guesses and most common cities

The route for the 50th anniversary of RAGBRAI is being announced Saturday.

Saturday&#x27;s RAGBRAI route reveal is one of the state&#x27;s most anticipated announcements, as Iowans prepare to don their spandex again and voyage across the state on two wheels. State of play: We asked you recently for guesses on this year&#x27;s route — and you all most certainly believe Des Moines will return as an overnight town again for the first time in a decade.

Things to Do

The Des Moines school board is considering if it should share the names of three superintendent finalists or keep it to one during its search.

DMPS plans to start the search and hiring process soon.

The intrigue: The board is facing a double-edged sword: If they require final candidates' names be disclosed, they could lose applicants who don't want their employer to know they're job hunting.

But on the other hand, students and parents don't get full knowledge of the candidates.

State of play: Alton Frailey, a consultant advising the search, warned board members they should only name one final candidate. 

During a board meeting, Frailey said other districts had "top candidates" withdraw their applications prior to the final announcement because they didn't want to be named.

What they're saying: Some school board members are concerned that if it's opened up and the public's perceived favorite isn't picked, it could be a "rocky start" for the new hire, board member Jenna Knox said.

The other side: Board member Kelli Soyer said she wants a process that shows "some sort of transparency" rather than just sharing a single name.

Flashback: School board president Terree Caldwell-Johnson said three final candidates' names were shared and an open house was held during the last search.

Former superintendent Tom Ahart was picked back in 2013.

Between the lines: The job market is tighter than ever for superintendents.

Between 2015-20, all but six of the country's 20 largest school districts reported superintendent turnover, according to education consulting group ERS.

What's next: The board is waiting for advice from legal counsel on disclosure requirements before reconvening on the issue. 

Des Moines school board debates transparency of superintendent search

School board members are debating making their finalists for superintendent public.

Former superintendent Tom Ahart announcing his resignation in 2022. Photo courtesy of DMPS

The Des Moines school board is considering if it should share the names of three superintendent finalists or keep it to one during its search.<ul><li>DMPS plans to start the search and hiring process soon.</li></ul>The intrigue: The board is facing a double-edged sword: If they require final candidates&#x27; names be disclosed, they could lose applicants who don&#x27;t want their employer to know they&#x27;re job hunting.<ul><li>But on the other hand, students and parents don&#x27;t get full knowledge of the candidates.</li></ul>

👋 Linh here. The RAGBRAI route is out and it's official that bikers will go through Des Moines for the first time in a decade this summer.

Driving the news: This will be my seventh year riding across the state of Iowa.

Thinking about joining me this year? There's a lot of guides, especially for first-time riders.

If this is your first RAGBRAI, the training guide is invaluable. The 2023 edition comes out soon, but here's last year's version for reference.

Equipment does make a difference. If you're riding the whole week, a road bike will be much easier than a hybrid.

My must-eats: Mr. Porkchop, Beekmans and any local Chinese restaurant in an overnight town.

Some people don't pay or "bandit" on RAGBRAI. Don't do that. For one, if you wreck, RAGBRAI will pick up both you and your bike.

RAGBRAI pro tips from a 7x rider

For starters: Equipment does make a difference.

👋 Linh here. The RAGBRAI <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="route" data-vars-click-url="https://ragbrai.com/" data-vars-content-id="f3706abb-3269-492c-b2d8-bac122513d2e" data-vars-headline="RAGBRAI pro tips from a 7x rider" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ragbrai.com/" target="_blank">route</a> is out and it&#x27;s official that bikers will go through Des Moines for the first time in a decade this summer.Driving the news: This will be my seventh year riding across the state of Iowa.

Linh Ta

Featured stories

Des Moines' busiest-ever year for sports

RAGBRAI pro tips from a 7x rider

Iowa lawmakers back off severely restricting SNAP eligible foods

RAGBRAI 2023 route guesses and most common cities

Des Moines school board debates transparency of superintendent search