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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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Downtown Des Moines could get new entertainment district

Polk County wants to study more than 12 acres around the Iowa Events Center.

News

Polk County may explore turning underused land around the Iowa Events Center into a mixed-use entertainment district that could include more convention space.Why it matters: The proposal could create a denser destination that adds housing, businesses and a larger tax base.

DSM celebrity baker Andrew Fuller is reaching new heights

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

Culture

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.

Sand and Lahn to face off in first of four Iowa gubernatorial debates

Iowa bucks a national trend with four governor debates this fall.

Iowa voters get their first of four chances Tuesday to see Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand debate face-to-face before the Nov. 3 election.Why it matters: Iowa&#x27;s four gubernatorial debates make it a national outlier as face-to-face matchups disappear from competitive races.

Iowa remains one of top 10 most obese states

More than 70% of Iowans are obese or overweight.

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.

Bread and Puppet show coming to Des Moines

The touring political puppet show will be at Riverview Park.

Things to Do

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.

Ankeny Art Center plans to move to Uptown

The new center would add classrooms, pottery studios and outdoor sculptures.

The Ankeny Art Center is planning a move to Uptown Ankeny that would nearly double its space as demand for classes grows.Why it matters: The planned 10,000-square-foot center at 315 Cherry St. would add classrooms, pottery studios, a retail shop, expanded gallery space and outdoor sculptures.

For 5 Borough Bagels owner, music is expression of trauma

Toney Chem, co-owner of 5 Borough Bagels, expresses his hardships through music.

Toney Chem has been rehearsing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for his biggest music set" data-vars-click-url="https://toneychem.com/" data-vars-content-id="074853dc-8f15-4c63-a2be-7bfd5b91a70e" data-vars-headline="For 5 Borough Bagels owner, music is expression of trauma" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://toneychem.com/" target="_blank">for his biggest music set</a> yet in an unlikely place: his car.<ul><li>He&#x27;s been practicing while driving back and forth to visit his wife, Sarah, who&#x27;s spent the past month hospitalized with a severe lung infection and plans to watch his Panda Fest performance over FaceTime.</li></ul>

Des Moines drag king gets national spotlight

Trade is competing on season two of "King of Drag."

Des Moines drag king &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/your_weekends_trade/" data-vars-content-id="6bd92362-a880-456f-ba40-8f3642542672" data-vars-headline="Des Moines drag king gets national spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/your_weekends_trade/" target="_blank">Trade</a>&quot; is catching some limelight on the second season of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="King of Drag" data-vars-click-url="https://ew.com/king-of-drag-season-2-cast-revealed-12037654" data-vars-content-id="6bd92362-a880-456f-ba40-8f3642542672" data-vars-headline="Des Moines drag king gets national spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ew.com/king-of-drag-season-2-cast-revealed-12037654" target="_blank">King of Drag</a>&quot; on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Revry" data-vars-click-url="https://revry.com/details/series/LZEKepcBER2xfPiIl_36" data-vars-content-id="6bd92362-a880-456f-ba40-8f3642542672" data-vars-headline="Des Moines drag king gets national spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://revry.com/details/series/LZEKepcBER2xfPiIl_36" target="_blank">Revry</a>. Why it matters: Dakota Chambers, a transgender man, is helping bring limelight to drag kings, who are often overlooked in queer media in comparison to drag queens.

Remembering Yayoi Kusama in Des Moines

The famous Japanese artist is a major part of our public art scene.

<blockquote>&quot;Polka dots can&#x27;t stay alone. When we obliterate nature and our bodies with polka dots we become part of the unity of our environments.&quot;</blockquote><cite>— Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama</cite>Des Moines has multiple places to honor Yayoi Kusama, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died earlier this month at 97 years old" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/08/26/1102916697/yayoi-kusama-high-priestess-of-polka-dots-has-died" data-vars-content-id="e8c454f4-c1be-4ffe-8df9-93f05030d6ed" data-vars-headline="Remembering Yayoi Kusama in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/08/26/1102916697/yayoi-kusama-high-priestess-of-polka-dots-has-died" target="_blank">died earlier this month at 97 years old</a>.

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

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

🎤 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.

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>