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

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The Iowa Clinic threatens to end UnityPoint partnership

Unresolved disputes could reshape where Central Iowa patients receive care.

News

The Iowa Clinic has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="notified UnityPoint" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/09/12/union-unitypoint-nurses-vote-methodist-blank" data-vars-content-id="cf903c7d-4713-4971-b5f6-829615ed3db1" data-vars-headline="The Iowa Clinic threatens to end UnityPoint partnership" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/09/12/union-unitypoint-nurses-vote-methodist-blank" target="_self">notified UnityPoint</a> of plans to terminate its 30-year partnership, citing concerns about hospital operations.Why it matters: The dispute could upend a partnership that helps determine where Central Iowa patients receive care and which doctors treat them.

These Des Moines sandwiches regularly sell out

The Good Butcher serves a different sandwich every Tuesday.

Food and Drink

From melty cheesesteaks to fat-stacked Reubens, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Good Butcher" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/30/good-butcher-specialty-shop-desmoines-sherman-hill" data-vars-content-id="32334ca2-26c6-43fe-b67c-bfed56a18f0c" data-vars-headline="These Des Moines sandwiches regularly sell out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/30/good-butcher-specialty-shop-desmoines-sherman-hill" target="_self">The Good Butcher</a>, off Ingersoll, is regularly selling out of its weekly Sandwich Tuesday specials.Why it matters: Food is fun, and these creative sandwiches get the shop&#x27;s chefs to think outside of the box while also using locally sourced meats.

Des Moines council members cross party lines to endorse Zach Nunn

Des Moines council members Joe Gatto and Mike Simonson voice their support for Nunn in a TV ad.

Politics

Des Moines City Council members Mike Simonson and Joe Gatto, both Democrats, are featured in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a TV advertisement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VorSukMsWR0" data-vars-content-id="3809e5db-8b49-4bea-8319-005a9e6a204f" data-vars-headline="Des Moines council members cross party lines to endorse Zach Nunn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VorSukMsWR0" target="_blank">a TV advertisement</a> this week for U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, the Republican incumbent running to keep his seat in Iowa&#x27;s 3rd District.Why it matters: The cross-party endorsements are efforts to appeal to voters beyond party lines, but they have also sparked backlash from Des Moines Democrats, including a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pledge to withdraw future financial support" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/jack.hatch.39/posts/i-just-emailed-the-following-statement-to-des-moines-councilman-mike-simonson-te/2627048864388262/" data-vars-content-id="3809e5db-8b49-4bea-8319-005a9e6a204f" data-vars-headline="Des Moines council members cross party lines to endorse Zach Nunn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/jack.hatch.39/posts/i-just-emailed-the-following-statement-to-des-moines-councilman-mike-simonson-te/2627048864388262/" target="_blank">pledge to withdraw future financial support</a>.

Iowa early voting surges

Democrats lead the early vote, but their share is down from 2022.

Iowans are casting early ballots at a considerably faster rate than in the 2022 midterms, with more than 307,000 ballots received as of Tuesday morning.Why it matters: The surge — nearly 30% higher than four years ago — signals heightened interest in Iowa&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closely watched midterms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/10/14/iowa-early-voting-elections-2026-midterms" data-vars-content-id="e5bc4425-4dd2-4531-bddd-bb86d3779158" data-vars-headline="Iowa early voting surges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/10/14/iowa-early-voting-elections-2026-midterms" target="_self">closely watched midterms</a>, but doesn&#x27;t necessarily mean overall turnout will increase.

How wind and traditional energy work together to power Iowa

MidAmerican's electric rates in Iowa are 44% below the national average. See how its energy mix helps.

Partners

MidAmerican Energy&#x27;s electric rates in Iowa are 44% below the national average.Why it&#x27;s important: Reliable, affordable electricity supports Iowa homes and businesses, and demand is growing as the U.S. expands its AI infrastructure.<ul><li>MidAmerican&#x27;s mix of renewable and traditional energy sources, like coal and natural gas, helps the company meet customers&#x27; needs while preparing for future demand.</li></ul>

Des Moines nears September rain record

Flooding has wreaked havoc across basements in the metro.

<figure><img alt="A Des Moines street cleaner on a street during heavy rain." height="450" id="c179275a-a8ee-4902-99c9-8edc07e79ac4" src="https://images.axios.com/3pKfGQlchkADWuFOt_nna_Cty9E=/2026/09/15/1789504505433.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>GIF: Linh Ta/Axios</figcaption></figure>More rain on the way in Des Moines could continue to create problems for our already saturated ground.By the numbers: This week, the metro experienced 2–3 inches of rain, with the west side hit hardest, says Alexis Jimenez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines.

Plug-in solar gets Iowa push

Without regulatory changes, utilities could require customers to unplug them.

Business

A Des Moines lawmaker is pushing to allow Iowans to use plug-in solar kits — devices that connect to standard home outlets and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="offset electricity use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/01/07/urbandale-solar-panel-saves-money" data-vars-content-id="28bc1f13-4624-4102-acd4-8b5ea4c76f44" data-vars-headline="Plug-in solar gets Iowa push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/01/07/urbandale-solar-panel-saves-money" target="_self">offset electricity use</a>.Why it matters: The systems could offer a cheaper, more practical solar option, Rep. Sean Bagniewski (D-Des Moines) tells Axios.

New app alerts homeowners to rising indoor heat

Researchers hope to protect vulnerable people as summers get hotter and homes overheat.

Climate

A pilot project led by Iowa State researchers is helping Des Moines residents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="predict when their homes could become dangerously hot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/researchers-pilot-potentially-life-saving-heat-alert-app" data-vars-content-id="e4312957-d1e4-43e3-a019-803f68596a3c" data-vars-headline="New app alerts homeowners to rising indoor heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/researchers-pilot-potentially-life-saving-heat-alert-app" target="_blank">predict when their homes could become dangerously hot</a>.Why it matters: Extreme heat is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deadliest weather hazard in the U.S" data-vars-click-url="https://yaleclimateconnections.org/extreme-heat-is-the-deadliest-weather-hazard-in-the-u-s-and-its-getting-worse/" data-vars-content-id="e4312957-d1e4-43e3-a019-803f68596a3c" data-vars-headline="New app alerts homeowners to rising indoor heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://yaleclimateconnections.org/extreme-heat-is-the-deadliest-weather-hazard-in-the-u-s-and-its-getting-worse/" target="_blank">deadliest weather hazard in the U.S</a>., and residents living in lower-income and aging neighborhoods are most susceptible to it.

Des Moines rolls back its stormwater ordinance

A new Iowa law restricts local government's ability to control water runoff.

Des Moines has rolled back portions of a 2021 ordinance designed to prevent flooding in response to a recent Iowa law restricting a local government&#x27;s ability to regulate construction sites.Why it matters: The ordinance was part of the city&#x27;s efforts to prevent disasters like the ones that have caused <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billions of dollars in damage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/15/flood-insurance-premiums-break-prevention" data-vars-content-id="9702accd-83c0-4dea-942b-73a331608a91" data-vars-headline="Des Moines rolls back its stormwater ordinance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/15/flood-insurance-premiums-break-prevention" target="_self">billions of dollars in damage</a> in recent decades.

Iowans' insurance premiums rising due to weather

Extreme weather is leading insurance companies to raise their rates.

Iowans paid an average of $2,416 last year for home insurance — an increase from $2,120 in 2023, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Insurify" data-vars-click-url="https://insurify.com/homeowners-insurance/insights/states-facing-insurance-crisis/" data-vars-content-id="58e73fbe-e450-48dd-9d29-b8af8a9f5856" data-vars-headline="Iowans&#x27; insurance premiums rising due to weather" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://insurify.com/homeowners-insurance/insights/states-facing-insurance-crisis/" target="_blank">Insurify</a>, an insurance shopping and comparison website.Why it matters: While Iowa lacks wildfires and hurricanes, other extreme weather like hail and tornadoes has resulted in some companies dropping out or raising their prices for Iowans.

Iowa lilacs are displaying rare fall blooms

Stressful growing conditions are likely the culprit.

Some metro residents have lilacs in bloom, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a rare phenomenon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/09/09/confused-minnesota-lilacs-produce-rare-fall-blooms" data-vars-content-id="ee1f97b0-23c2-4dca-b964-c67c8856f455" data-vars-headline="Iowa lilacs are displaying rare fall blooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/09/09/confused-minnesota-lilacs-produce-rare-fall-blooms" target="_blank">a rare phenomenon</a> caused by stressful growing conditions like drought.State of play: They are not harmful to the plant, but there will likely be fewer flowers next spring, Arron Steil, a consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University, wrote in a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="online Q&amp;A" data-vars-click-url="https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/why-my-lilac-blooming-fall-instead-spring#:~:text=These%20spring%2Dblooming%20plants%20set,buds%20are%20triggered%20to%20bloom" data-vars-content-id="ee1f97b0-23c2-4dca-b964-c67c8856f455" data-vars-headline="Iowa lilacs are displaying rare fall blooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/why-my-lilac-blooming-fall-instead-spring#:~:text=These%20spring%2Dblooming%20plants%20set,buds%20are%20triggered%20to%20bloom" target="_blank">online Q&amp;A</a>.

The Midwest is flyover country — even for UFO sightings

Culture

The Midwest is used to hearing flyover jokes, but when it comes to unidentified flying objects in the sky, we really seem to be missing out.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Enigma Labs" data-vars-click-url="https://enigmalabs.io/explore/united_states/iowa" data-vars-content-id="f71f6eae-2589-4272-9970-370a9a25d346" data-vars-headline="The Midwest is flyover country — even for UFO sightings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://enigmalabs.io/explore/united_states/iowa" target="_blank">Enigma Labs</a> is a startup that developed an app where users can upload videos of odd sightings in the sky to share with others.

Des Moines offers trees and an online tool to determine best placement

A search by address shows residents where trees will make the biggest environmental impact.

The city of Des Moines is offering discounted trees and providing residents with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an online tool" data-vars-click-url="https://energysavingtrees.arborday.org/?partnerCode=08139&amp;campaignId=9b441658-6d21-406c-87ef-718c42221b08#Start" data-vars-content-id="413cb29f-592f-488e-9141-d695cef61e53" data-vars-headline="Des Moines offers trees and an online tool to determine best placement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://energysavingtrees.arborday.org/?partnerCode=08139&amp;campaignId=9b441658-6d21-406c-87ef-718c42221b08#Start" target="_blank">an online tool</a> to help them determine the best place to plant them for maximum environmental impact. State of play: Des Moines is one of over 120 partners in the Arbor Day Foundation&#x27;s Community Canopy program.

National IV shortage hits Iowa after Hurricane Helene damage

Iowa medical providers are implementing emergency conservation efforts.

Iowa medical providers are implementing conservation efforts for critical IV fluids after Hurricane Helene destroyed a North Carolina manufacturing plant that produced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most of the nation&#x27;s supply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/01/hurricane-helene-iv-fluid-shortage-health-supply-chain" data-vars-content-id="15fd4cf2-435f-42a6-9168-a32c35895dd9" data-vars-headline="National IV shortage hits Iowa after Hurricane Helene damage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/01/hurricane-helene-iv-fluid-shortage-health-supply-chain" target="_self">most of the nation&#x27;s supply</a>.Why it matters: Medical facilities are already experiencing &quot;substantial shortfalls&quot; of these life-supporting products, American Hospital Association CEO Richard Pollack wrote in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a letter to President Biden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aha.org/2024-10-07-aha-president-urging-administration-take-immediate-action-address-iv-solution-supply-shortage-result-helene?_cldee=JsknzgqvY0Kg1wnqEc1FsUEWoUHvU8HZc03CIFNH3snXIRdncq-UAWw2xlUr3hkECW16-02RCLxxDpnHsGqbCQ&amp;recipientid=contact-86fecbc43b33eb11a813000d3a1ab78a-c0e262ac0db4414c804fcb30b70cfd51&amp;esid=42742fef-f384-ef11-ac21-0022482f47e4" data-vars-content-id="15fd4cf2-435f-42a6-9168-a32c35895dd9" data-vars-headline="National IV shortage hits Iowa after Hurricane Helene damage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aha.org/2024-10-07-aha-president-urging-administration-take-immediate-action-address-iv-solution-supply-shortage-result-helene?_cldee=JsknzgqvY0Kg1wnqEc1FsUEWoUHvU8HZc03CIFNH3snXIRdncq-UAWw2xlUr3hkECW16-02RCLxxDpnHsGqbCQ&amp;recipientid=contact-86fecbc43b33eb11a813000d3a1ab78a-c0e262ac0db4414c804fcb30b70cfd51&amp;esid=42742fef-f384-ef11-ac21-0022482f47e4" target="_blank">a letter to President Biden</a> this week.

Climate 🌿

How wind and traditional energy work together to power Iowa

Des Moines nears September rain record

Plug-in solar gets Iowa push

New app alerts homeowners to rising indoor heat

Des Moines rolls back its stormwater ordinance