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Des Moines ditches soccer stadium district, stink detection

Police and fire cuts are among other proposals before the City Council.

News

Des Moines officials are proposing $11.5 million in budget savings that would shrink staffing and services across city government as new state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property-tax restraints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/07/08/des-moines-mayor-iowa-property-tax-boesen-reynolds" data-vars-content-id="efc6b4ee-a6e7-49e4-8d1c-40da4ed9037e" data-vars-headline="Des Moines ditches soccer stadium district, stink detection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/07/08/des-moines-mayor-iowa-property-tax-boesen-reynolds" target="_self">property-tax restraints</a> squeeze the city&#x27;s finances.Why it matters: Des Moines&#x27; fiscal crunch is no longer abstract — the proposals could mean fewer workers, leaner services and less room for transformative projects.

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.

Dutch Bros withdraws downtown Des Moines proposal

The withdrawal adds uncertainty to a broader redevelopment area.

Plans for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a proposed Dutch Bros" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/14/dutch-bros-downtown-des-moines-drive-thru-zoning" data-vars-content-id="ad3be667-616c-4bce-97ef-65e9e405ac2f" data-vars-headline="Dutch Bros withdraws downtown Des Moines proposal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/14/dutch-bros-downtown-des-moines-drive-thru-zoning" target="_self">a proposed Dutch Bros</a> in downtown Des Moines have been withdrawn following opposition from neighborhood leaders concerned about pedestrian safety and car-oriented development.Why it matters: The withdrawal removes a test of whether the city would allow another downtown drive-thru, following this month&#x27;s approval of similar exceptions for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hyper Energy Bar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/03/hyper-energy-bar-des-moines-denial-appeal" data-vars-content-id="ad3be667-616c-4bce-97ef-65e9e405ac2f" data-vars-headline="Dutch Bros withdraws downtown Des Moines proposal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/03/hyper-energy-bar-des-moines-denial-appeal" target="_self">Hyper Energy Bar</a>.

Iowa cancer burden emerges as key issue in governor race

Zach Lahn's Tuesday cancer discussion could sharpen contrasts with opponent Rob Sand.

Cancer is emerging as a defining issue in Iowa&#x27;s race for governor, as Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand offer different approaches to addressing the state&#x27;s unusually high rates of the disease.Why it matters: Iowa&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high cancer rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/02/22/iowa-cancer-problem" data-vars-content-id="48d41791-e7cf-40df-bd59-fe0998ba4058" data-vars-headline="Iowa cancer burden emerges as key issue in governor race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/02/22/iowa-cancer-problem" target="_self">high cancer rate</a> is forcing the governor&#x27;s race into concrete debates over health coverage, prevention and what&#x27;s driving rates.

Iowa farmer says sales have grown amid cyclosporiasis outbreak

Grade A Gardens, a local organic farm, says more people are interested in its fresh produce.

One unexpected effect of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/01/cyclospora-lettuce-outbreak-foodborne-illness-record" data-vars-content-id="cbe32bd2-4356-4271-81ec-91699afc1093" data-vars-headline="Iowa farmer says sales have grown amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/01/cyclospora-lettuce-outbreak-foodborne-illness-record" target="_self">cyclosporiasis</a> outbreak: Iowans are seeking more local produce.Why it matters: Iowa was added to the Centers for Disease Control&#x27;s list of 15 states dealing with the recent outbreak, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the New York " data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/well/eat/cdc-cyclospora-outbreak-15-states.html" data-vars-content-id="cbe32bd2-4356-4271-81ec-91699afc1093" data-vars-headline="Iowa farmer says sales have grown amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/well/eat/cdc-cyclospora-outbreak-15-states.html" target="_blank">the New York </a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Times." data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/well/eat/cdc-cyclospora-outbreak-15-states.html" data-vars-content-id="cbe32bd2-4356-4271-81ec-91699afc1093" data-vars-headline="Iowa farmer says sales have grown amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/well/eat/cdc-cyclospora-outbreak-15-states.html" target="_blank">Times.</a>

Vaccination rates decline in Polk County schools

Religious exemptions have increased since 2019.

Vaccination rates are sliding in Polk County schools as religious exemptions have climbed over the last five years.The big picture: The number of Polk County students not fully vaccinated has nearly doubled, rising from 2,937 students in 2019 to 5,571 in 2025, per Polk County Health data.

Iowa case highlights rising NeeDoh burn reports

The state's poison control center has reported about 60 squishy-toy exposures so far this year.

Health

An Iowa child needed emergency care after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a viral" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/14/needoh-toy-stores-twin-cities-release-viral-tiktok" data-vars-content-id="69be2ed8-da8a-4ee2-862f-34f51ba6ac37" data-vars-headline="Iowa case highlights rising NeeDoh burn reports" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/14/needoh-toy-stores-twin-cities-release-viral-tiktok" target="_self">a viral</a> squishy fidget toy left in a hot car leaked and caused burns.Why it matters: Reports of burns and other injuries involving NeeDoh toys are rising across the country as heat exposure and a dangerous <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://abc7ny.com/post/tiktok-needoh-challenge-nassau-county-fire-marshal-warns-trend-has-left-children-badly-burned/19465427/" data-vars-content-id="69be2ed8-da8a-4ee2-862f-34f51ba6ac37" data-vars-headline="Iowa case highlights rising NeeDoh burn reports" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abc7ny.com/post/tiktok-needoh-challenge-nassau-county-fire-marshal-warns-trend-has-left-children-badly-burned/19465427/" target="_blank">social media challenge</a> create new safety concerns.Editor&#x27;s note: This story contains a graphic image of an injury.

Dashboard will track Polk County's student illnesses

The automated system could help prevent outbreaks from escalating.

The Polk County Health Department is developing an automated school illness dashboard.Why it matters: It&#x27;s intended to better track outbreaks and prevent them from becoming a public health crisis.

Iowa among states making early Medicaid choices

States are facing increasing financial pressures.

Iowa is among the first states reshaping its Medicaid budget ahead of nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1 trillion in federal Medicaid cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/01/state-budgets-medicaid-austerity" data-vars-content-id="bf3bc7b4-d97f-4472-8dfb-734fc2df52bf" data-vars-headline="Iowa among states making early Medicaid choices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/01/state-budgets-medicaid-austerity" target="_self">$1 trillion in federal Medicaid cuts</a>, with Gov. Kim Reynolds signing a bill last week to raise taxes on insurers.Why it matters: The move signals potential ripple effects for coverage, costs and state budgets nationwide.

Report: Research links pesticide use to cancer rates in farm states

Iowa ranks second in cancer rates as researchers examine pesticide exposure.

A growing number of researchers, doctors and farmers say pesticides may be contributing to cancer rates, according to a new investigation by nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Investigate Midwest" data-vars-click-url="https://investigatemidwest.org/2026/02/18/pesticide-use-and-cancer-risk-rise-together-across-americas-heartland/" data-vars-content-id="7fe8227a-a58a-4535-a452-93e71306dc5b" data-vars-headline="Report: Research links pesticide use to cancer rates in farm states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2026/02/18/pesticide-use-and-cancer-risk-rise-together-across-americas-heartland/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>.Why it matters: Iowa has the nation&#x27;s second-highest cancer rate and is a heavy-pesticide state, using 53 million pounds last year, per Investigate Midwest.

Iowa's new cancer map zooms into ZIP codes

University of Iowa researchers have a new tool to help examine cancer incidences at a hyper-local level.

As Iowa grapples with its growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cancer rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcrg.com/2026/02/06/87-99-iowa-counties-report-higher-cancer-rates-than-national-trend-new-research-shows/" data-vars-content-id="3f0c4da2-dab5-485c-99ce-5ec0730b45ae" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s new cancer map zooms into ZIP codes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcrg.com/2026/02/06/87-99-iowa-counties-report-higher-cancer-rates-than-national-trend-new-research-shows/" target="_blank">cancer rates</a>, a mapping tool by University of Iowa researchers is helping health officials and residents examine cancer at a hyper-local level.Why it matters: Prior to the launch of the tool, rural counties and smaller towns struggled to obtain reliable data showing their area&#x27;s unique disease trends, says Jacob Oleson, a University of Iowa biostatistician who has helped with the project over the last decade.

Iowa lawmakers propose banning undocumented women, kids from WIC

Republican lawmakers say they want to make public programs accountable to taxpayers.

An Iowa House bill would prohibit undocumented women, infants and children from a federally funded food assistance program for low-income families.Why it matters: Local food bank organizers warn that taking away aid would result in more hungry infants and children at a time when food banks are experiencing record demand.

Iowa kids' flu shots lag as "very high" illness rate hits the state

Schools across the state are experiencing high rates of absence due to illness.

Kids&#x27; flu shots are lagging compared to last year amid what&#x27;s shaping up to be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historically nasty influenza season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/superflu-symptoms-2025-flu-h3n2" data-vars-content-id="c0077455-f4f1-404c-86c3-163237fe2188" data-vars-headline="Iowa kids&#x27; flu shots lag as &quot;very high&quot; illness rate hits the state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/superflu-symptoms-2025-flu-h3n2" target="_self">historically nasty influenza season</a> tied to the so-called &quot;super flu.&quot;Driving the news: Uptake among kids aged 6 months to 17 years is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="down 1.5 percentage points nationally" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/16/childhood-flu-shots-vaccinations-rate" data-vars-content-id="c0077455-f4f1-404c-86c3-163237fe2188" data-vars-headline="Iowa kids&#x27; flu shots lag as &quot;very high&quot; illness rate hits the state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/16/childhood-flu-shots-vaccinations-rate" target="_self">down 1.5 percentage points nationally</a> as of Jan. 3 compared to the same time last year, per the CDC&#x27;s latest data.

Health 🩺

Iowa cancer burden emerges as key issue in governor race

Iowa farmer says sales have grown amid cyclosporiasis outbreak

Vaccination rates decline in Polk County schools

Iowa case highlights rising NeeDoh burn reports

Dashboard will track Polk County's student illnesses