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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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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.

Des Moines exiles 2 gnaw-ty tree vandals

The beavers got a one-way ride out of Polk County.

News

Two big-toothed scoundrels have been exiled from Des Moines after trashing trees at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gray&#x27;s Lake Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/03/28/grays-lake-park-sprayground-playground-new" data-vars-content-id="f13c065f-c50a-490d-a95a-0b6d52afd038" data-vars-headline="Des Moines exiles 2 gnaw-ty tree vandals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/03/28/grays-lake-park-sprayground-playground-new" target="_self">Gray&#x27;s Lake Park</a>.Why it matters: The haters are none other than a pair of beavers.

A more effective flu vaccine is available in Des Moines

The mRNA flu vaccine is available for Iowans 50 and older.

Health

Flu season has arrived early this year, and there&#x27;s a new, more effective vaccine option for Iowans 50 and older.Why it matters: Influenza is most serious for more vulnerable populations, including older people, children and infants.

Valley Junction unveils five new public art installations

The works debut Friday during a free Fall Gallery Night celebration.

Five new large-scale artworks — including murals and sculptures — are transforming pedestrian walkways along Fifth Street in Valley Junction, marking the district&#x27;s largest public-art investment.Driving the news: The installations will be celebrated at Friday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fall Gallery Night," data-vars-click-url="https://valleyjunction.com/valley-junction-events/fall-gallery-night/" data-vars-content-id="087a879e-e72e-4150-b045-2b4bfdd3fdb8" data-vars-headline="Valley Junction unveils five new public art installations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://valleyjunction.com/valley-junction-events/fall-gallery-night/" target="_blank">Fall Gallery Night,</a> from 5-8pm.

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.

Pesticide exposure tied to more severe Parkinson's symptoms

New research adds to questions about pesticides and Parkinson's in Iowa.

People with Parkinson&#x27;s disease who were exposed to pesticides at work may experience more severe symptoms than those who weren&#x27;t, according to new research.Why it matters: The findings could sharpen scrutiny of pesticides in Iowa, which has both heavy agricultural pesticide use and thousands of Parkinson&#x27;s cases.

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.

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.

Health 🩺

A more effective flu vaccine is available in Des Moines

Iowa remains one of top 10 most obese states

Pesticide exposure tied to more severe Parkinson's symptoms

Iowa cancer burden emerges as key issue in governor race

Iowa farmer says sales have grown amid cyclosporiasis outbreak