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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 explores new "forever chemical" lawsuits

City officials are investigating possible PFAS-related damages and costs.

News

Des Moines has hired a law firm to explore legal action regarding &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="forever chemicals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/10/forever-chemicals-drinking-water-epa" data-vars-content-id="775dfe97-e918-4ba9-a87c-0487c48151f7" data-vars-headline="Des Moines explores new &quot;forever chemical&quot; lawsuits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/10/forever-chemicals-drinking-water-epa" target="_self">forever chemicals</a>&quot; contamination.Why it matters: The synthetic compounds collectively known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread in soil and water and are linked to cancer and other health problems.

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.

Where Rob Sand and Zach Lahn differ on voter priorities

The gubernatorial candidates have different priorities.

Politics

During the first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gubernatorial debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/10/05/iowa-governor-debates-sand-lahn-2026" data-vars-content-id="09cd3789-e64c-4921-8f1b-992848c9ae5e" data-vars-headline="Where Rob Sand and Zach Lahn differ on voter priorities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/10/05/iowa-governor-debates-sand-lahn-2026" target="_self">gubernatorial debate</a> last week, Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shared differing priorities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/iowa-gubernatorial-debate/686200" data-vars-content-id="09cd3789-e64c-4921-8f1b-992848c9ae5e" data-vars-headline="Where Rob Sand and Zach Lahn differ on voter priorities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/iowa-gubernatorial-debate/686200" target="_blank">shared differing priorities</a> on several voter issues:💵 Cost of living: Lahn said he would help families lower costs through tax cuts. <ul><li>He supports ending tax breaks for data centers and eliminating property taxes on primary homes. He also wants to help make local businesses more competitive by increasing the state budget for antitrust lawsuits.</li></ul>

Valley Junction's historic past includes "booze orgy," murders

Learn about the historic district's "unique" past during walking tours this month.

Things to Do

The typically quaint Valley Junction neighborhood is unearthing some true tales of its less savory past, including headlines that warned of booze-filled orgies, gambling dens and plenty of murders.Why it matters: The Historic Valley Junction Foundation is sharing these stories during its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mayhem tours" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valley-junction-mayhem-tour-tickets-2002584655613" data-vars-content-id="24240b3f-33cd-438d-b40c-cb5b85f3d3c0" data-vars-headline="Valley Junction&#x27;s historic past includes &quot;booze orgy,&quot; murders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valley-junction-mayhem-tour-tickets-2002584655613" target="_blank">mayhem tours</a> the next two Saturdays before Halloween.

Historians chase Grand Avenue's hidden past

Book research is uncovering revelations about Des Moines' past.

A group of Des Moines historians have launched a book project to document Grand Avenue&#x27;s history — from Model T assembly lines to governors&#x27; mansions — and they&#x27;re calling on the community to help fill in the gaps.Why it matters: They&#x27;re uncovering never-before-told insights into the city&#x27;s expansion, class divides and urban evolution that connect the past to the present, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DSM historian and filmmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/05/24/des-moines-woodland-cemetery-history-quest-videos" data-vars-content-id="db2ff11a-61cf-4315-a506-c427772392ec" data-vars-headline="Historians chase Grand Avenue&#x27;s hidden past" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/05/24/des-moines-woodland-cemetery-history-quest-videos" target="_self">DSM historian and filmmaker</a> Kristine Bartley tells Axios.

Des Moines plans to survey its forgotten history

The city hopes to document overlooked places and personal stories to preserve a fuller picture of its past.

Des Moines is taking the first steps toward a citywide historical survey that could reshape how it preserves places and stories tied to its past.Why it matters: The survey is meant to capture overlooked places and personal stories to preserve a fuller picture of the past.<ul><li>It could include resident-submitted stories, oral histories and less visible landmarks — like longtime gathering spots or homes tied to overlooked communities.</li></ul>

Researchers uncover Black history at this Des Moines cemetery

More than a dozen Underground Railroad participants are buried at Woodland Cemetery.

As part of our Black History Month coverage, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we recently spotlighted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/21/black-history-month-edna-griffin-center-street-fort" data-vars-content-id="68dea16f-3228-48de-b2c5-e47a4576e8bc" data-vars-headline="Researchers uncover Black history at this Des Moines cemetery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/21/black-history-month-edna-griffin-center-street-fort" target="_self">we recently spotlighted</a> several local activists whose contributions influenced the broader Civil Rights Movement.Why it matters: We barely scratched the surface, including history rediscovered from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the graves at Woodland Cemetery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/04/22/new-book-grave-desmoines-woodland-cemetery-woodland?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="68dea16f-3228-48de-b2c5-e47a4576e8bc" data-vars-headline="Researchers uncover Black history at this Des Moines cemetery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/04/22/new-book-grave-desmoines-woodland-cemetery-woodland?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_self">the graves at Woodland Cemetery</a>.

Sit-ins, soldiers, a lost district: Des Moines' remarkable Black history

Locals were at the forefront of the nation's early successful civil rights cases.

Edna Griffin led one of the nation&#x27;s first successful civil rights cases in 1948, challenging segregation at Katz Drug Store in Des Moines — seven years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus.Why it matters: While Griffin&#x27;s fight didn&#x27;t make national headlines, it forced change in Iowa and helped lay the groundwork for future movements.

Des Moines' Butler Mansion could become Italian American museum

The $13 million project would showcase Italian-American heritage.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Butler Mansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/01/10/polk-county-italian-american-cultural-center-mansion" data-vars-content-id="22291698-8475-4583-877e-56f046872d03" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; Butler Mansion could become Italian American museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/01/10/polk-county-italian-american-cultural-center-mansion" target="_self">Butler Mansion</a> would be transformed into a museum, café and event center as part of a $13 million project proposed by the Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa.Why it matters: The renovation would make much of the iconic 1930s art deco modern-style home accessible to the public as a cultural destination.

Historic Highland Park building could be saved

Des Moines City Council will vote on whether to pay $500,000 for building.

One of the metro&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="endangered buildings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.desmoinesheritagetrust.org/endangered-buildings-in-des-moines#:~:text=I.O.O.F.%20Hall%20/%20Drug%20Store%3A%20200%20Euclid%20Avenue%20(1907)" data-vars-content-id="ea47c215-a630-4873-9f69-d6b2c17918c2" data-vars-headline="Historic Highland Park building could be saved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.desmoinesheritagetrust.org/endangered-buildings-in-des-moines#:~:text=I.O.O.F.%20Hall%20/%20Drug%20Store%3A%20200%20Euclid%20Avenue%20(1907)" target="_blank">endangered buildings</a> could be saved as part of a $500,000 purchase plan that goes before the Des Moines City Council tonight.Why it matters: The International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F) Fraternal Hall is a landmark building in Highland Park&#x27;s commercial district, where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preservationists recently lost" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/09/26/historic-highland-apartments-building-demolished" data-vars-content-id="ea47c215-a630-4873-9f69-d6b2c17918c2" data-vars-headline="Historic Highland Park building could be saved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/09/26/historic-highland-apartments-building-demolished" target="_self">preservationists recently lost</a> a battle to save a historic apartment.

Ask Axios: Have people fallen from the Iowa State Fair Sky Glider?

Dozens of people were stranded on the ride for more than an hour nearly 50 years ago.

&quot;How often do people fall from the Iowa State Fair Sky Glider? Like do they have numbers? It&#x27;s always been a fear of mine when taking my kiddos.&quot;— Eric Doll, WDMAnswer: Rest easy, Eric! Nobody has fallen from the glider in its nearly 50-year history.

New documentary chronicles Iowa's 1970s refugee efforts

Robert Ray was the only governor at the time to answer a call to help resettle the families.

A documentary chronicling former Gov. Robert Ray&#x27;s efforts to welcome thousands of Tai Dam and Southeast Asian refugees to Iowa in the 1970s debuts Wednesday.Why it matters: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Refugees Welcome" data-vars-click-url="https://www.verylocal.com/refugees-welcome/" data-vars-content-id="09021763-153d-416c-9444-e6c04616bb85" data-vars-headline="New documentary chronicles Iowa&#x27;s 1970s refugee efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.verylocal.com/refugees-welcome/" target="_blank">Refugees Welcome</a>&quot; resonates beyond Iowa and could help bring historical context and meaning to today&#x27;s humanitarian outreach efforts, Laura Ling, the documentary&#x27;s producer, tells Axios.

Woodland Cemetery's history shines in new book

The book highlights the lives and interments of more than 120 people.

A new book highlights the intriguing lives and interments of more than 120 people buried at Des Moines&#x27; Woodland Cemetery.Why it matters: The 176-year-old cemetery is a part of the historic fabric of the metro.

History

Valley Junction's historic past includes "booze orgy," murders

History Mystery: A view of Walnut Street

History mystery: George W. Bush's dining spot

Historians chase Grand Avenue's hidden past

Des Moines plans to survey its forgotten history