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Massive landfill fire erupts in Des Moines hours after city warning

Metro Waste Authority fires nearly tripled in 2025.

News

<figure><img alt="A video of a landfill fire." height="450" id="f3fc9e56-ff7f-4647-ac80-bc2b95907d9f" src="https://images.axios.com/HxfGd9MD4TbUyByiTFDZ1NDQQKI=/2026/05/19/1779190402770.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The fire at Metro Park East Landfill earlier this month is suspected to have been caused by lithium batteries or rechargeable electronics that ignited when compacted. Video: Courtesy of Metro Waste Authority</figcaption></figure>One of the largest landfill fires in metro history erupted hours after waste officials warned Des Moines leaders this month about their growing battle against improper battery disposal.Why it matters: Unbeknownst to many residents, rechargeable devices such as vapes, smartphones and electric toothbrushes are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turning household trash into fire hazards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/03/25/discarded-batteries-causing-fires-in-des-moines-metro-landfills" data-vars-content-id="0c001f30-bc03-4a29-969c-6c3a037202be" data-vars-headline="Massive landfill fire erupts in Des Moines hours after city warning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/03/25/discarded-batteries-causing-fires-in-des-moines-metro-landfills" target="_self">turning household trash into fire hazards</a>.

Mushroom festival will cover foraging, mental health and more

Things to Do

If you love all things fungi, toadstool, or just that little dude from Mario Bros., there&#x27;s a free event May 31 just for you.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The DSM Mushroom Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://dsmmushroomfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="7f531869-8ab6-4106-a3d0-68f323716d0e" data-vars-headline="Mushroom festival will cover foraging, mental health and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dsmmushroomfest.com/" target="_blank">The DSM Mushroom Festival</a> covers everything mycology, from foraging to mental health research.

Polk County pays $6.5K for using an unauthorized whale photo

AI-powered copyright tools are making it easier to spot unauthorized uses.

Polk County Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously agreed to pay $6,500 to a photographer and his legal counsel for using a photo of a whale without permission.Why it matters: AI-powered copyright tools are making it easier for rights holders to find online infringements, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing the risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/24/24252410/nintendo-dmca-notices-mario-fan-art-ai-image-detection" data-vars-content-id="52dd56e8-f9b2-4f18-9d65-10a66a548274" data-vars-headline="Polk County pays $6.5K for using an unauthorized whale photo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/24/24252410/nintendo-dmca-notices-mario-fan-art-ai-image-detection" target="_blank">increasing the risk</a> for governments and other agencies that use photos on websites and social media.

Mass timber townhomes planned near Drake University

The project will rely on engineered wood rather than steel and concrete.

Construction of a nearly $7.1 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mass timber" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/26/wooden-skyscrapers-mass-timber" data-vars-content-id="a821144d-ec68-4f9a-9ae2-b7315b4eab36" data-vars-headline="Mass timber townhomes planned near Drake University" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/26/wooden-skyscrapers-mass-timber" target="_self">mass timber</a> townhome project near Drake University could begin next year.Why it matters: It would be among the city&#x27;s first townhome developments to use the building method that relies on engineered wood rather than steel and concrete, Molly Cutler of Cutler Development tells Axios.

My attempt at growing a giant pumpkin for the Iowa State Fair

You need a little bit of hope a whole lot of Miracle-Gro.

Linh here. After I unexpectedly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="won second place" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DNZIxDgOsvk/" data-vars-content-id="b0b3638f-335f-48ea-88e9-906d5cbfe4cf" data-vars-headline="My attempt at growing a giant pumpkin for the Iowa State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DNZIxDgOsvk/" target="_blank">won second place</a> in the Iowa State Fair&#x27;s husband-calling contest last year, the confidence boost gave me the totally sane idea: What if I enter a different fair competition every year?<ul><li>I considered the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ugly cake competition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/fair/clip/6669/ugliest-cake-competition" data-vars-content-id="b0b3638f-335f-48ea-88e9-906d5cbfe4cf" data-vars-headline="My attempt at growing a giant pumpkin for the Iowa State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/fair/clip/6669/ugliest-cake-competition" target="_blank">ugly cake competition</a>. Then I learned it&#x27;s only for children.</li></ul>

Windsor Heights gets new vintage store and art studio

The vintage store and art studio opened off University Avenue.

Business

For <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Venus Moon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.venusmoonstudio.com/" data-vars-content-id="60e7413b-7d6a-4e82-8885-fdce654bec13" data-vars-headline="Windsor Heights gets new vintage store and art studio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.venusmoonstudio.com/" target="_blank">Venus Moon</a> owner Nicole DeMondo, an empty storefront along University Avenue in Windsor Heights felt like the perfect spot to open her vintage shop and art studio last month.The big picture: &quot;We&#x27;re all local businesses,&quot; DeMondo tells Axios. &quot;There are people walking up and down the street every single day from the neighborhood.&quot;

Science Center of Iowa prepares to reopen popular exhibit

"Small Discoveries" is a play space for kids to explore.

After months of renovations, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Science Center of Iowa is preparing to reopen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sciowa.org/visit/permanent-exhibits/small-discoveries/" data-vars-content-id="bcafce5c-8382-4115-b4db-adb4511a32e5" data-vars-headline="Science Center of Iowa prepares to reopen popular exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sciowa.org/visit/permanent-exhibits/small-discoveries/" target="_blank">Science Center of Iowa is preparing to reopen</a> its popular &quot;Small Discoveries&quot; exhibit on Dec. 17.The big picture: The permanent exhibit focuses on play and exploration for young children. The latest renovation includes updated features like an 8-foot water table and a mural station, Rob Burnett, SCI&#x27;s vice president of science learning, tells Axios.

Three ways to give back in Des Moines this year

From volunteering your time to donating money, there are plenty of ways to give back to the community.

Culture

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Give back with your friends</h2>🎅 Dress in a Santa suit and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="run a 5K" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fleetfeet.com/s/desmoines/santarun?srsltid=AfmBOooksX5K5M8R15Zqu0KVSIlEP_Ho0KbaOBsIsw6fVYPfOHwaMqIy" data-vars-content-id="a1d6c07c-fbac-43fa-8510-11e4f4de3461" data-vars-headline="Three ways to give back in Des Moines this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fleetfeet.com/s/desmoines/santarun?srsltid=AfmBOooksX5K5M8R15Zqu0KVSIlEP_Ho0KbaOBsIsw6fVYPfOHwaMqIy" target="_blank">run a 5K</a> around downtown on Dec. 13. Part of your registration fee ($10) goes to a charity of your choice, including Girls on the Run and Children and Families of Iowa.

Des Moines Roller Derby is zipping on tracks and celebrating Corn Baby

Des Moines faces Peoria in a theatrical, full-contact roller derby showdown.

Step aside, football — this Saturday, some of the highest-contact sports action is happening on roller skates.The big picture: Des Moines Roller Derby is holding its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first sanctioned bout" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iowastatefairgrounds.org/event-calendar/des-moines-roller-derby-vs-peoria-prowlers-home-bout" data-vars-content-id="496e3163-ae67-4482-9a03-479cccc7fc44" data-vars-headline="Des Moines Roller Derby is zipping on tracks and celebrating Corn Baby" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iowastatefairgrounds.org/event-calendar/des-moines-roller-derby-vs-peoria-prowlers-home-bout" target="_blank">first sanctioned bout</a> since the pandemic — going up against the Peoria Prowlers at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Ballet Des Moines premieres sensory-inclusive "Nutcracker"

The performance is designed to accommodate people with sensory sensitivities and impairments.

Ballet Des Moines will make <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Nutcracker more accessible" data-vars-click-url="https://www.balletdesmoines.org/sensory-performances" data-vars-content-id="6e970121-f61d-473f-b69d-8b4c1a8321c9" data-vars-headline="Ballet Des Moines premieres sensory-inclusive &quot;Nutcracker&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.balletdesmoines.org/sensory-performances" target="_blank">The Nutcracker more accessible</a> this year with its first sensory-inclusive performance on Dec. 12.

An ode to Des Moines' Beggars' Night

We remember the nearly nearly 90-year-old quirky Des Moines tradition.

For nearly a century, Des Moines children have done Halloween differently than the rest of the country: trick-or-treating on Oct. 30 by telling jokes at each house.The big picture: Today, that history has come to an end, with most communities choosing to move the door-to-door event to Halloween.

Refugees help turn lenga lenga into Iowa's new crop

Refugee farmers are building a market for lenga lenga through a growing nonprofit program.

In Iowa, farmers grow corn, soybeans — and lenga lenga.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lutheran Services in Iowa" data-vars-click-url="https://lsiowa.org/ircs/global-greens/" data-vars-content-id="ea091584-7d59-4d1e-96c2-de81c1c8d723" data-vars-headline="Refugees help turn lenga lenga into Iowa&#x27;s new crop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lsiowa.org/ircs/global-greens/" target="_blank">Lutheran Services in Iowa</a> (LSI) wants to popularize the African crop, also known as amaranth in the U.S.

Urbandale opens new Walnut Creek access and art installation

The efforts are part of the metro's ICON waterways project.

Urbandale officials are celebrating two new additions at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Walker Johnston Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.urbandale.org/facilities/facility/details/walker-johnston-park-39" data-vars-content-id="4187f3f4-2a8a-4fbd-b9dd-37b2e4898338" data-vars-headline="Urbandale opens new Walnut Creek access and art installation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.urbandale.org/facilities/facility/details/walker-johnston-park-39" target="_blank">Walker Johnston Park</a> today.State of play: The park now features a new public access point to North Walnut Creek and a light-up art installation, as part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICON Water Trails project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.urbandale.org/1189/Creek-Access-and-Outdoor-Classroom-Publi" data-vars-content-id="4187f3f4-2a8a-4fbd-b9dd-37b2e4898338" data-vars-headline="Urbandale opens new Walnut Creek access and art installation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.urbandale.org/1189/Creek-Access-and-Outdoor-Classroom-Publi" target="_blank">ICON Water Trails project</a>.

How Barista's Bouquet owners start their day

Stacey and Brandt Carlson delegate tasks and priorities between each other every day.

One of the biggest things parents Stacey and Brandt Carlson learned through starting their own coffee shop was &quot;being comfortable with being uncomfortable,&quot; Stacey says.<ul><li>&quot;Whether that be networking or speaking, or just being OK with who you are, what you built and how you built it,&quot; she says.</li></ul>