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Bread and Puppet — a political, non-profit theater company — is bringing its touring show of colorful puppets, brass music and pointed current events to Des Moines.

Driving the news: The Vermont-based puppeteering group is performing at Riverview Park on Wednesday at 7pm.

The group was founded in 1963 and is historically known for its avant-garde art style and politically themed shows, including anti-Vietnam War and anti-nuclear power messaging.

What to expect: This year's tour features "The Upside Down World Circus," which takes an "absurdist lens" on a world that can feel upside down, and asks the audience what change and possibility can occur.

Plus: Expect local food vendors like Mama Africa Catering, Tarboosh, and The Local Cow Co.

After the show, the company will sell sourdough rye bread and "cheap art."

If you go: Suggested donation is $20, though no one is turned away.

Bread and Puppet show coming to Des Moines

The touring political puppet show will be at Riverview Park.

Nighttime puppet show featuring oversized paper-mâché heads on a raised platform. A performer in white holds white-faced masks and a pink-toned head, with a painted backdrop and smaller faces below.

Bread and Puppet Show at Lauridsen Amphitheater in 2004. Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Nelson

Bread and Puppet — a political, non-profit theater company — is bringing its touring show of colorful puppets, brass music and pointed current events to Des Moines.Driving the news: The Vermont-based puppeteering group is performing at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Riverview Park" data-vars-click-url="https://breadandpuppet.org/tour#DesMoines" data-vars-content-id="13576b96-5f46-42bc-9832-f4df6602cb7e" data-vars-headline="Bread and Puppet show coming to Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://breadandpuppet.org/tour#DesMoines" target="_blank">Riverview Park</a> on Wednesday at 7pm.

Things to Do

Culture

This is Andrew Fuller's era — and not just because he's Halloween-maxxing 24/7.

Why it matters: The Des Moines celebrity baker is blowing up with appearances on two Food Network shows this fall and serving as living proof that if you're authentically yourself, good things happen.

How it started: Fuller broke out as a made-for-TV star when he competed and won the first season of "Is It Cake?" on Netflix in 2022.

Since then, his talent for baking outrageously realistic cakes has landed him on Food Network competitions and speaking appearances around the world.

But eventually his management told him to no longer be a TV competitor and to rise to a judge role. Then last year, he got a call from Food Network to be a judge on the "holy grail" of cake shows: "Halloween Wars."

"Whether I'm on it or not, it's the best. But now that I'm on it, it's even better, let's just be real," Fuller jokes.

Since then, things have really taken off for Fuller, including an appearance on another Food Network show, "Sweet Deceit" with Josh Peck.

Yes, but: With elevated stardom comes more public attention and scrutiny.

He stays off Reddit and doesn't read online comments. And despite being proudly queer and green-haired in the middle of the Midwest, the negative messages still bother him.

"No matter how thick of a skin you might think you have, it is so true not to read the comments," Fuller says. "I'm kind of in this place now where I have to protect myself a little bit for my mental health."

The big picture: Still, Fuller says he's OK with representing "a big thing that a lot of people hate." He can't be anything other than himself — and that's paying off, not only for his career, but also through helping Iowa youth feel OK being "weird."

"I'm heading in this direction where I'm being rewarded for being myself," he says. "I would feel like a fraud if I did anything else."

What's next: Fuller still lives in Des Moines, though with the increase in work outside the state, he expects to move at some point.

When that time comes, he says, Iowa will still be his home, as well as where his mom and husband's family live. 

"Des Moines is a city that really celebrates anyone who has made something of their life here," he says.

We asked Fuller some of his Des Moines takes:

🍭 Beggars' Night or Halloween: "I feel like the obvious answer has to be: I'm pro-Beggars' Night."

He says you get "more Halloween," similar to how there's Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

🍔 Favorite food spots: Centro, Zombie Burger, Black Cat Ice Cream and A Dong.

They're illegal to sell in the U.S. because consuming a large amount can be poisonous. 

Fuller says he shaves a small amount for his coffee and cake batters for a vanilla flavor at home.

"Once you've had it in something, you can't take your mind off of it," he says.

📺 If you watch: The next episode of "Halloween Wars" airs Sunday at 8pm on Food Network, and the next day on HBO Max.

DSM celebrity baker Andrew Fuller is reaching new heights

Andrew Fuller with a bright green mohawk, rainbow face paint, and oversized decorative glasses, holding a pastry in a dark blue, blurred background.

Andrew Fuller. Photo: Courtesy of Food Network

This is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Andrew Fuller&#x27;s era" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/09/12/andrew-fuller-is-it-cake-des-moines" data-vars-content-id="3930a385-9704-41af-aaad-7c2e7262a28a" data-vars-headline="DSM celebrity baker Andrew Fuller is reaching new heights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/09/12/andrew-fuller-is-it-cake-des-moines" target="_self">Andrew Fuller&#x27;s era</a> — and not just because he&#x27;s Halloween-maxxing 24/7.Why it matters: The Des Moines celebrity baker is blowing up with appearances on two Food Network shows this fall and serving as living proof that if you&#x27;re authentically yourself, good things happen.

News

🪦 Jordan Cemetery Tour | Explore local history with costumed reenactments, a headstone restoration demonstration and a presentation on cemetery symbolism. | 9am–12pm | 2001 Fuller Rd., West Des Moines | Admission: $25

🎀 Eleven 101 Collective Grand Opening | Support former Painted Tree Boutique vendors as they reopen at this new space. | 10am-8pm Friday and Saturday; 10am-6pm Sunday | 11101 University Ave., Clive | Free!

👗 Totally Rad Vintage Fest | A traveling vintage festival featuring retro clothing, accessories, toys and home goods. | 10am-5pm | Iowa Events Center | Tickets: $12

🕹️ Y2K Countdown Party | Travel through the decades with '80s, '90s and 2000s music, themed cocktails, photo ops and an 11pm Y2K countdown. Ages 21+. | 6pm | Up-Down | Event details

🏒 The Iowa Wild | Watch our hometown team play against the Rockford IceHogs. | Casey's Center | 6pm | Tickets: $31

🐶 Wag-o-Ween | Bring your dressed-up dog to Big Grove, where they can enjoy a pup cup. AHeinz57 will bring adoptable pets. | 1-3pm | Free!

Des Moines weekend plans: Oct. 9-11

From a vintage festival to a doggy costume party, there's plenty to do this weekend.

Illustration of a line of briefcases followed by a suitcase with a pair of sunglasses and a hat on it

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Friday</h2>🪦 Jordan Cemetery Tour | Explore local history with costumed reenactments, a headstone restoration demonstration and a presentation on cemetery symbolism. | 9am–12pm | 2001 Fuller Rd., West Des Moines | <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Admission: $25" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wdmhs.org/historic-cemetery-tour/" data-vars-content-id="70b5a46c-8c49-4e1d-9972-07737a3545c9" data-vars-headline="Des Moines weekend plans: Oct. 9-11" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wdmhs.org/historic-cemetery-tour/" target="_blank">Admission: $25</a>

Iowa's adult obesity rate reached 37% in 2025, the ninth-highest in the country, according to an annual report by Trust for America's Health, a D.C.-based health policy group.

Why it matters: Higher obesity rates can translate into more chronic disease, greater health care costs and shorter, less healthy lives.

Driving the news: Though the increase was small, Iowa is also one of a "handful" of states where adult obesity statistically increased over the last five years as rates nationally have begun to level off, Dara Lieberman, director of government affairs for the health group, tells Axios.

The rate increased by less than a percentage point.

By the numbers: About 71% of Iowa adults are overweight or obese, based on 2025 U.S. Census data.

22.2% of Iowa adults are physically inactive, ranking 19th in the country. These adults don't engage in physical activity outside of work.

Iowa ranks 30th for diabetes and 34th for hypertension.

Middle-aged adults, men and Black, Latino and Native American populations were more likely to report obesity.

What they're saying: There isn't a single reason Iowa's obesity rate is higher, but the state's rural makeup may be part of the picture, Lieberman says.

Rural residents can have less access to grocery stores, walkable amenities and fitness recreation, like gyms, she says.

Be smart: Jami Haberl, executive director of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, says people need to move away from the "gym" mindset and find small ways to add movement throughout their days.

That can include parking further away and playing with your kids.

And while Iowans are known for "meat and potatoes," she recommends starting out by adding a fruit or vegetable to your plate each day.

What's new: GLP-1s can be a game changer for decreasing obesity. In Iowa, Medicaid covers the medication for people diagnosed with diabetes, but it is not approved for general weight loss.

13 states cover GLP-1s for obesity treatment, per the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The drugs are "an appropriate treatment for a lot of different people," Lieberman says.

"We feel like people should have access to the best treatments for their health conditions. So insurance coverage is an important piece of that," Lieberman says.

What's next: Healthiest State Initiative is holding its annual walk today, including a 30-minute walk on Ingersoll at noon starting at Palmer's Deli.

Iowa remains one of top 10 most obese states

More than 70% of Iowans are obese or overweight.

Illustration of measuring tape draped around a caution street sign.

Iowa&#x27;s adult obesity rate reached 37% in 2025, the ninth-highest in the country, according to an annual report by Trust for America&#x27;s Health, a D.C.-based health policy group.Why it matters: Higher obesity rates can translate into more chronic disease, greater health care costs and shorter, less healthy lives.

Health

A years-long project tracking Iowa's Latino population is winding down and transitioning into its next phase after losing its primary funding.

Why it matters: Without detailed data showing how policies affect Latinos, Iowa's fastest-growing population risks being left out of key policy decisions, says Iowa Latinx Project coordinator Dawn Martinez Oropeza.

State of play: The Iowa Latinx Project collects and analyzes demographic data.

Its findings have shown that Latino children fare better in smaller, more integrated communities like Marshall County and that second- and third-generation families are helping offset population loss in rural Iowa.

That information is shared in an annual report and a dashboard people can use to dive deeper into census data.

How it started: Martinez Oropeza started the project in 2019, beginning with quantifying Latinos' economic contributions to Marshalltown.

That grew into a broader statewide effort.

What they're saying: Mid-Iowa Health Foundation has been the project's primary funder in recent years and has provided $220,000 in support, foundation president Nalo Johnson tells Axios.

However, it's not the foundation's practice to be a continuous or sole funder for any program, Johnson says.

The last update will be in March 2028 with 2027 data, Martinez Oropeza says.

Yes, but: The Iowa Latinx Project is using its remaining funding to help extend its work in ways other groups can use, including a new toolkit that makes its research easier to use and understand.

The big picture: In 2024, Iowa lawmakers voted to end the state's Commission of Latino Affairs and Office of Latino Affairs, which helped with identifying and addressing issues affecting Latino Iowans.

The bottom line: Without the project and the commission collecting updated data, Martinez Oropeza says she fears that Latino Iowans won't have a seat at the table.

Iowa is losing updates on Latino population, economic data

The Iowa Latinx Project has collected nuanced and unique information on the state's Latino population.

Illustration of a hand pushing over one bar of a 3D bar chart. 

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Stock: Getty Images

A years-long project tracking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iowa&#x27;s Latino population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/03/iowa-latino-census-growth-population-workforce" data-vars-content-id="c143c925-0026-4a58-8860-950052d79632" data-vars-headline="Iowa is losing updates on Latino population, economic data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/03/iowa-latino-census-growth-population-workforce" target="_self">Iowa&#x27;s Latino population</a> is winding down and transitioning into its next phase after losing its primary funding.Why it matters: Without detailed data showing how policies affect Latinos, Iowa&#x27;s fastest-growing population risks being left out of key policy decisions, says Iowa Latinx Project coordinator Dawn Martinez Oropeza.

Linh Ta

Featured stories

DSM celebrity baker Andrew Fuller is reaching new heights

Des Moines weekend plans: Oct. 9-11

Iowa is losing updates on Latino population, economic data

Iowa remains one of top 10 most obese states

Bread and Puppet show coming to Des Moines