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How to fake it: 2026 IHSAA boys state wrestling

Downtown Des Moines is bustling this weekend with wrestlers. Impress your friends with knowledge.

Sports

If you&#x27;ve noticed an unusual number of intense teenagers roaming the skywalks, you&#x27;ve found your answer: It&#x27;s state wrestling tournament weekend in Des Moines.Why it matters: Iowa consistently produces some of the country&#x27;s most elite wrestlers, so when you see a kid dominate in Des Moines this weekend, there&#x27;s a real chance you&#x27;re watching a future Olympian.

Des Moines might buy adjacent buildings after Odd Fellows deal crumbles

A larger redevelopment package would be more likely to save the buildings, the city says.

News

The city of Des Moines is seeking to purchase three historic buildings adjacent to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Highland Park&#x27;s Odd Fellows Hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/05/historic-highland-park-building-could-be-saved" data-vars-content-id="05a6aa3d-1ae2-4f99-9496-ec7e4220c11f" data-vars-headline="Des Moines might buy adjacent buildings after Odd Fellows deal crumbles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/05/historic-highland-park-building-could-be-saved" target="_self">Highland Park&#x27;s Odd Fellows Hall</a>.Why it matters: An effort to redevelop the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="landmark building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dsm.city/departments/development_services/economic_development/200_euclid_avenue.php" data-vars-content-id="05a6aa3d-1ae2-4f99-9496-ec7e4220c11f" data-vars-headline="Des Moines might buy adjacent buildings after Odd Fellows deal crumbles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dsm.city/departments/development_services/economic_development/200_euclid_avenue.php" target="_blank">landmark building</a> fell through last year.

Drake's Greek Street could become "Agha Street"

The name is for the past president of Drake's now-closed Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Drake University&#x27;s Greek Street would be honorarily named &quot;Agha Street&quot; under a request being considered by city leaders.Catch up quick: Agha Noor Ahmed Khan was one of the last presidents of Drake&#x27;s Phi Gamma Delta fraternity before it closed late last year.

Iowa lawmakers push data center transparency

A new bill would require public reports on data center water and energy use.

Business

Iowa lawmakers want to know exactly how much water and energy the state&#x27;s booming data center industry is consuming.Why it matters: Iowa has become a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="magnet for data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/04/28/the-midwest-s-data-center-boom" data-vars-content-id="9d900c93-9b79-4fd0-acab-a9e75eef0878" data-vars-headline="Iowa lawmakers push data center transparency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/04/28/the-midwest-s-data-center-boom" target="_self">magnet for data centers</a>, but the infrastructure needed to power and cool these facilities puts pressure on the state&#x27;s electric grid and water supply, which can get passed on to homeowners.

Windsor Heights gets new vintage store and art studio

The vintage store and art studio opened off University Avenue.

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.

Things to Do

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>

Dyersville's Field of Dreams takes on new life

The movie site is expanding to draw in more events and youth tournaments.

At the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, the question that hangs over the once-quiet movie site is now: &quot;If you build it, how much bigger will it become?&quot;Why it matters: For decades, the site has annually attracted tens of thousands of people despite its simplicity, but new owners and developments could make it an even bigger draw.