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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.

The Polk County Election Office may relocate

County officials want to increase the office's functionality and security.

The Polk County Election Office might relocate, county administrator John Norris tells Axios.Why it matters: The office has become busier in recent election cycles due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/03/22/iowas-urban-areas-are-increasingly-democratic-driving-efforts-to-limit-early-voting" data-vars-content-id="0f109df2-79f4-4d4d-a05b-0166ff8ba329" data-vars-headline="The Polk County Election Office may relocate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/03/22/iowas-urban-areas-are-increasingly-democratic-driving-efforts-to-limit-early-voting" target="_self">state laws</a> that limit absentee dropbox locations to one per county.

Iowa's 1st District race could take weeks to finalize

Candidates have until Nov. 18 to request a recount.

Politics

The results of Iowa&#x27;s 1st District race remain up in the air, one week later.Why it matters: Thanks to outstanding races like this one, there&#x27;s still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a slim chance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/07/house-election-results-control-count" data-vars-content-id="3063e71d-511a-406d-bd09-f7b723d0b95e" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s 1st District race could take weeks to finalize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/07/house-election-results-control-count" target="_self">a slim chance</a> that Democrats will claim the U.S. House majority, although sources like Decision Desk HQ have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already projected" data-vars-click-url="https://decisiondeskhq.com/results/2024/General/US-House/" data-vars-content-id="3063e71d-511a-406d-bd09-f7b723d0b95e" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s 1st District race could take weeks to finalize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://decisiondeskhq.com/results/2024/General/US-House/" target="_blank">already projected</a> the Republican Party will retain control.

Iowa Republicans look likely to expand presence in Legislature

Both chambers appear to have supermajorities this upcoming session.

Iowa Republicans&#x27; already historic majority in the Legislature is expected to become even larger by the start of session in January as Tuesday&#x27;s results have come into focus.Why it matters: It&#x27;s full steam ahead for Iowa Republican priorities, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property tax reform" data-vars-click-url="https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/09/06/leader-says-iowa-house-gop-priority-in-25-will-be-property-tax-reform/" data-vars-content-id="7dcfac22-abe4-4386-9580-abe359be1dbf" data-vars-headline="Iowa Republicans look likely to expand presence in Legislature" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/09/06/leader-says-iowa-house-gop-priority-in-25-will-be-property-tax-reform/" target="_blank">property tax reform</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eventually eliminating the state income tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/local-politics/iowa-tax-cuts-income-bill-flat-rate-governor-kim-reynolds-republican-lawmakers-senate/524-e0ab123b-20f1-4db7-b725-9b995396ea71" data-vars-content-id="7dcfac22-abe4-4386-9580-abe359be1dbf" data-vars-headline="Iowa Republicans look likely to expand presence in Legislature" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/local-politics/iowa-tax-cuts-income-bill-flat-rate-governor-kim-reynolds-republican-lawmakers-senate/524-e0ab123b-20f1-4db7-b725-9b995396ea71" target="_blank">eventually eliminating the state income tax</a>.

Iowa remains solidly red as Nunn wins and several legislative races still undecided

Despite a poll that showed a possible blue wave, most Iowa Republicans retained their seats.

Election

Iowa remains solidly red, continuing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Republican domination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/11/05/iowa-election-results-live" data-vars-content-id="10f3aaa8-80b1-4e91-ab5b-4f7b672c49f5" data-vars-headline="Iowa remains solidly red as Nunn wins and several legislative races still undecided" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/11/05/iowa-election-results-live" target="_self">Republican domination</a> in the U.S. Congress and the Iowa Legislature, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="probable supermajorities in both state chambers." data-vars-click-url="https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/11/06/gop-likely-to-have-supermajorities-in-iowa-house-and-senate-next-year/" data-vars-content-id="10f3aaa8-80b1-4e91-ab5b-4f7b672c49f5" data-vars-headline="Iowa remains solidly red as Nunn wins and several legislative races still undecided" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/11/06/gop-likely-to-have-supermajorities-in-iowa-house-and-senate-next-year/" target="_blank">probable supermajorities in both state chambers.</a>Why it matters: The last <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/03/harris-iowa-poll-trump-women" data-vars-content-id="10f3aaa8-80b1-4e91-ab5b-4f7b672c49f5" data-vars-headline="Iowa remains solidly red as Nunn wins and several legislative races still undecided" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/03/harris-iowa-poll-trump-women" target="_self">Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll</a> projected that Iowa could actually become more blue, but the state, and much of the country, ended up as a GOP landslide.

Incumbent GOP Rep. Zach Nunn wins reelection for Iowa's 3rd District

Nearly $25 million in ad spending has been poured into the toss-up race.

Republican U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zach Nunn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/07/iowa-1st-3rd-district-toss-up-nunn-baccam" data-vars-content-id="ff834d70-41aa-4f69-af2f-2fcdb4f98d51" data-vars-headline="Incumbent GOP Rep. Zach Nunn wins reelection for Iowa&#x27;s 3rd District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/07/iowa-1st-3rd-district-toss-up-nunn-baccam" target="_self">Zach Nunn</a> has fended off a challenge from Democrat Lanon Baccam in Iowa&#x27;s 3rd Congressional District, the Associated Press reports. Why it matters: Nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$25 million in ad spending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/11/01/iowa-congress-races-spending-nunn-baccam-miller-meeks" data-vars-content-id="ff834d70-41aa-4f69-af2f-2fcdb4f98d51" data-vars-headline="Incumbent GOP Rep. Zach Nunn wins reelection for Iowa&#x27;s 3rd District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/11/01/iowa-congress-races-spending-nunn-baccam-miller-meeks" target="_self">$25 million in ad spending</a> has been poured into the toss-up seat that represents the majority of the Des Moines metro area, according to political ad tracker AdImpact.

Iowa voters approve constitutional amendments

The measures have longtime implications on the state's voting laws and how a lieutenant governor can be appointed.

Voters approved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two amendments to Iowa&#x27;s constitution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/10/iowa-constitutional-amendments-voting-noncitizens" data-vars-content-id="12a8f806-7e51-423b-80a8-96e64cf90ef9" data-vars-headline="Iowa voters approve constitutional amendments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/10/iowa-constitutional-amendments-voting-noncitizens" target="_self">two amendments to Iowa&#x27;s constitution</a>, per the Associated Press.Why it matters: The measures have longtime implications on the state&#x27;s voting laws and the way in which a lieutenant governor can be appointed.

Live results: Donald Trump wins Iowa

The weekend's shock Iowa poll ended up being a big outlier.

Iowa voters stuck with former President Trump Tuesday night, and the state remains a red stronghold, the Associated Press <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/live/trump-harris-election-updates-11-5-2024" data-vars-content-id="18184583-0fd8-4f40-a0e5-a15a574e9803" data-vars-headline="Live results: Donald Trump wins Iowa" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/live/trump-harris-election-updates-11-5-2024" target="_blank">reports</a>.Why it matters: Despite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a shock Iowa Poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/11/05/iowa-election-day-poll-harris-trump" data-vars-content-id="18184583-0fd8-4f40-a0e5-a15a574e9803" data-vars-headline="Live results: Donald Trump wins Iowa" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/11/05/iowa-election-day-poll-harris-trump" target="_self">a shock Iowa Poll</a> over the weekend that indicated Vice President Harris might be in the lead there, Trump easily landed a win and cemented his support.

It's Election Day in Iowa, days after shocking last-minute poll shows Harris lead

The latest Iowa Poll results shocked the state and nation, showing Harris with a narrow lead.

Election Day is finally upon us. The big picture: Days before the election, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the final Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/03/harris-iowa-poll-trump-women" data-vars-content-id="00c17ce6-9f06-417a-a9e0-20ed375cdffd" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s Election Day in Iowa, days after shocking last-minute poll shows Harris lead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/03/harris-iowa-poll-trump-women" target="_self">the final Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll</a> of the cycle showed Vice President Harris unexpectedly beating former President Trump by three percentage points.

Iowa U.S. House District 3: Live results

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn and Democrat Lanon Baccam face off in a tight congressional race.

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn is defending his seat against Democrat Lanon Baccam for Iowa&#x27;s 3rd District, which encompasses the central-southern part of the state.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="competitive 3rd District race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/07/iowa-1st-3rd-district-toss-up-nunn-baccam" data-vars-content-id="21a4bd20-2803-4a2e-af42-1a70ae3fd91e" data-vars-headline="Iowa U.S. House District 3: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/07/iowa-1st-3rd-district-toss-up-nunn-baccam" target="_self">competitive 3rd District race</a> includes the majority of the Des Moines metro area and is one of a few toss-up U.S. House races this year.

Iowa U.S. House District 1: Live results

The state's 1st District race is competitive and represents the southeast region of Iowa.

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is facing off against Democrat Christina Bohannan for Iowa&#x27;s 1st District, which encompasses the southeast portion of the state, including Indianola, Davenport, Iowa City and Burlington.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iowa&#x27;s competitive 1st District race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/07/iowa-1st-3rd-district-toss-up-nunn-baccam" data-vars-content-id="36e7db74-f057-467e-8fc3-95e37d8a7cb8" data-vars-headline="Iowa U.S. House District 1: Live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/07/iowa-1st-3rd-district-toss-up-nunn-baccam" target="_self">Iowa&#x27;s competitive 1st District race</a> is one of just a few toss-up congressional seats in the country in 2024.

Election 🗳️

The Polk County Election Office may relocate

Iowa's 1st District race could take weeks to finalize

Iowa Republicans look likely to expand presence in Legislature

Iowa remains solidly red as Nunn wins and several legislative races still undecided

Incumbent GOP Rep. Zach Nunn wins reelection for Iowa's 3rd District