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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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Iowa Senate and governor races shift left

New Cook Report ratings put Iowa's top 2026 contests back in play.

News

Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate race is now a toss-up, and the governor’s race is also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highly competitive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" data-vars-content-id="ac226b9a-ca23-4a5e-9de6-a1d88b0a68ac" data-vars-headline="Iowa Senate and governor races shift left" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" target="_self">highly competitive</a>, according to the latest projections from The Cook Political Report.Why it matters: Iowa’s return to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="battleground status" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/06/03/iowa-democrats-stage-rural-comeback-turek-sand" data-vars-content-id="ac226b9a-ca23-4a5e-9de6-a1d88b0a68ac" data-vars-headline="Iowa Senate and governor races shift left" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/06/03/iowa-democrats-stage-rural-comeback-turek-sand" target="_self">battleground status</a> gives Democrats a rare chance to break the GOP’s statewide grip and reshape the fight for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="control of the U.S. Senate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" data-vars-content-id="ac226b9a-ca23-4a5e-9de6-a1d88b0a68ac" data-vars-headline="Iowa Senate and governor races shift left" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" target="_self">control of the U.S. Senate</a>.

Wilson's Orchard has its earliest Honeycrisp crop

Heavy rains and high heat resulted in rapid fruit growth.

Wilson&#x27;s Orchard &amp; Farm <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in the Des Moines metro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/07/13/a-new-floating-art-piece-also-captures-nitrates-in-iowa-water" data-vars-content-id="3a4994cd-ec1a-4b0b-bfee-14e2491e3969" data-vars-headline="Wilson&#x27;s Orchard has its earliest Honeycrisp crop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/07/13/a-new-floating-art-piece-also-captures-nitrates-in-iowa-water" target="_self">in the Des Moines metro</a> will open Honeycrisp picking today, the earliest in the farm&#x27;s history <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="since it was founded in 1980" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/wilsons.ciderhouse.dsm/posts/pfbid02BoNyRU5VjXqGFTiBtGt6KxEvm1jfrAM3bbJVhi82WqncpVYBxKK3rZiDKXw57S3fl" data-vars-content-id="3a4994cd-ec1a-4b0b-bfee-14e2491e3969" data-vars-headline="Wilson&#x27;s Orchard has its earliest Honeycrisp crop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/wilsons.ciderhouse.dsm/posts/pfbid02BoNyRU5VjXqGFTiBtGt6KxEvm1jfrAM3bbJVhi82WqncpVYBxKK3rZiDKXw57S3fl" target="_blank">since it was founded in 1980</a>.Why it matters: For Iowa growers, &quot;normal&quot; timing is becoming harder to count on as unpredictable weather patterns become more frequent, says Wilson&#x27;s Orchard general manager Jacob Goering, whose parents own the farm.

No recess required but Iowa boosts school activity time

Iowa students will get more daily movement under a new state law.

Iowa&#x27;s youngest students will get more state-required movement this school year — but they&#x27;re still not guaranteed a daily recess.Why it matters: Unstructured <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="play offers benefits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/school-recess-laws-states" data-vars-content-id="e9500bae-9c3b-4e7d-be56-b79361a02902" data-vars-headline="No recess required but Iowa boosts school activity time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/school-recess-laws-states" target="_self">play offers benefits</a> that organized exercise doesn&#x27;t necessarily provide, including opportunities for children to build social skills, independence and problem-solving.

Iowa's school phone crackdown enters year two

Early Iowa results are promising, but academic gains remain unclear.

Iowa students are beginning their second school year under a state law that requires public schools to restrict cellphone use during classroom instruction — but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new research suggests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/school-cellphone-ban-study-scores-attendance" data-vars-content-id="f2598cb4-d37a-409c-9942-77115d2754ba" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s school phone crackdown enters year two" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/school-cellphone-ban-study-scores-attendance" target="_self">new research suggests</a> such rules have mixed results.Why it matters: Iowa&#x27;s law affects daily classroom routines for hundreds of thousands of students, making the real-world payoff of cellphone restrictions increasingly important.

Iowa fans can see Rod Stewart without paying $931 like I did

Fifth-row fun, surprise guests and a lesson in ticket sticker shock.

Culture

🎤 Jason here: I had fifth-row seats to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rod Stewart" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/11/17/this-ain-t-sexy-rod-stewart" data-vars-content-id="42588f90-91c8-4611-83aa-ed64eed51b69" data-vars-headline="Iowa fans can see Rod Stewart without paying $931 like I did" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/11/17/this-ain-t-sexy-rod-stewart" target="_self">Rod Stewart</a> on Long Island last week, and it was an amazing concert.Why it matters: Stewart performs with Richard Marx at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tickets are still available" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iowastatefair.org/entertainment/rod-stewart" data-vars-content-id="42588f90-91c8-4611-83aa-ed64eed51b69" data-vars-headline="Iowa fans can see Rod Stewart without paying $931 like I did" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iowastatefair.org/entertainment/rod-stewart" target="_blank">tickets are still available</a> at prices far below what I paid.

I lost my prize pumpkins, but not my hope

I'm ready to share my disappointment with you, but true to their names, this story doesn't end in total loss.

Linh here. Last week, I was in denial over the state of Hope #1 and Hope #2. <ul><li>This week, I&#x27;m ready to share my disappointment with you, but true to their names, this story doesn&#x27;t end in total loss.</li></ul>

Iowa festival aims to explore the pursuit of happiness

Panels at the Tallgrass Festival of Ideas will center on the pursuit of happiness.

A festival in Des Moines will explore the theme &quot;The Pursuit of Happiness&quot; and the role the concept played in America&#x27;s foundation in light of the country&#x27;s 250th anniversary.Why it matters: Despite Thomas Jefferson&#x27;s writings and having more material comforts than ever, Americans are reporting more unhappiness, anxiety and detachment.

What RAGBRAI 2026 taught me about relationships

The ride has its ups and downs, literally.

Things to Do

Linh here. I&#x27;m back from my ninth RAGBRAI, and over the years, I&#x27;ve had many reflections about my favorite time of year.<ul><li>My latest has been the influence of the ride on relationships.</li></ul>

We rated the 11 best new Iowa State Fair foods for 2026

We ranked each of the best 11 new Iowa State Fair foods.

Linh here! I got to judge 11 of the best new Iowa State Fair foods for 2026, and I&#x27;m here to share my thoughts on each item.Why it matters: I grew up in a household where my dad constantly scoffed at restaurant menu prices, so trust me, I&#x27;ve trained my whole life to tell you what&#x27;s worth your hard-earned money.

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.

<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.