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The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee

The longtime bakery is opening a second location in the Waukee Triangle.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bake Shoppe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thebakeshoppe.org/" data-vars-content-id="713855c3-32e1-41d9-b828-fdd49538a707" data-vars-headline="The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thebakeshoppe.org/" target="_blank">The Bake Shoppe</a>, home of Barbara&#x27;s iconic Champagne cake recipe, is expanding with a second location at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waukee Triangle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.waukeedowntown.com/" data-vars-content-id="713855c3-32e1-41d9-b828-fdd49538a707" data-vars-headline="The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.waukeedowntown.com/" target="_blank">Waukee Triangle</a>.Why it matters: The dreamy blush-pink cake has been a Des Moines tradition since the 1940s, and demand has grown so much in recent years that co-owner Lisa Kannapel says they need another shop.

Iowa among states making early Medicaid choices

States are facing increasing financial pressures.

News

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.

Corruption accused in Polk County recorder's race

An elected official says Julie Haggerty's retirement timing is suspicious, but she says she's caring for aging parents.

A Polk County Democrat is accusing the retiring Polk County recorder of giving her deputy an unfair advantage in an upcoming primary, though both of those accused say any seemingly nefarious activity was driven by a family emergency, not collusion.State of play: Justin Hollinrake, an Ankeny City Councilmember speaking in a personal capacity, alleges Polk County Recorder Julie Haggerty and her deputy recorder, Lisa Chiodo, coordinated to position Chiodo as Haggerty&#x27;s successor.

Des Moines Diocese reports 51% increase in new Catholics

More people are converting to Catholicism in recent years.

Religion

The Diocese of Des Moines has seen a 51% surge in new Catholics this year, with 400 converts recorded compared to 265 in 2025.Why it matters: The local figures are part of a broader national trend, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the New York Times says" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/us/catholics-converts.html" data-vars-content-id="22399ca9-3e8c-49a1-9642-d1c65bbbc441" data-vars-headline="Des Moines Diocese reports 51% increase in new Catholics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/us/catholics-converts.html" target="_blank">the New York Times says</a> is producing some of the highest convert numbers in recent years.

Des Moines metro taps backup water early amid nitrate concerns

Central Iowa Water Works is using its nitrate filtration system early.

As summer nears, officials from Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) and Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) are warning residents and businesses that the ability to filter drinking water fast enough remains a concern.Why it matters: This winter marked only the second time CIWW has activated its nitrate removal facility during these typically slower months, and the pace isn&#x27;t going down.

Polk County will pay law firm up to 50% of recovery in $2.5M settlement

The county previously rejected a $250,000 offer.

A law firm will get up to half of any amount recovered from a $2.5 million wrongful termination settlement that Polk County recently agreed to pay, according to records obtained by Axios.

A Yuengling lounge proposed at the Iowa Events Center

The company would pay Polk County $236,000 for the five-year deal.

Polk County supervisors will vote Tuesday on a new sponsorship agreement with the Yuengling beer company at the Iowa Events Center.Details: If approved, the venue&#x27;s south premium lounge — currently known as &quot;The Fort&quot; — would be rebranded as the &quot;Yuengling Flight Deck.&quot;

Celebrate Cambodian New Years Eve in Des Moines

The Iowa Cambodian community is bringing its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Year&#x27;s Eve celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-khmer-new-year-tickets?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ85xpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWVzhiU21QWGFHa1NiTXJ4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHr-JB2tfHvgfYcmbzaRvArt2D0Odjn7GP5Kj2vNIWwK0v4x7qcKKaL7vuESE_aem_knOIi1TiEkhgamtilUrWtA" data-vars-content-id="2afdaf24-0e6e-4ace-b978-4ea0962ed5b7" data-vars-headline="Celebrate Cambodian New Years Eve in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-khmer-new-year-tickets?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ85xpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWVzhiU21QWGFHa1NiTXJ4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHr-JB2tfHvgfYcmbzaRvArt2D0Odjn7GP5Kj2vNIWwK0v4x7qcKKaL7vuESE_aem_knOIi1TiEkhgamtilUrWtA" target="_blank">New Year&#x27;s Eve celebration</a> to Scottish Rite this weekend.Why it matters: The party on Saturday is a way to celebrate and preserve Cambodian culture, and introduce traditions to newer generations, says Emily Frimml of the Angkor Wat Friendship Association, which is hosting the event.How it works: Cambodian New Year falls later than other Asian new year holidays and is closer to Buddha&#x27;s birthday and the end of the harvest season. <ul><li>The full observance typically spans three days and includes religious ceremonies.</li><li>Saturday&#x27;s event will be a celebration with live music, Khmer dancers, breakdancers, Cambodian food and a family zone, Frimml says.</li></ul>Zoom in: The holiday also carries weight behind it — in the 1970s, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Khmer Rouge genocide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-10684399" data-vars-content-id="2afdaf24-0e6e-4ace-b978-4ea0962ed5b7" data-vars-headline="Celebrate Cambodian New Years Eve in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-10684399" target="_blank">the Khmer Rouge genocide</a> started close to New Year&#x27;s, and they deliberately targeted cultural artifacts like music, dance and art as part of its campaign of erasure.<ul><li>Frimml&#x27;s own parents fled Cambodia and found refuge in Iowa in 1979.</li><li>&quot;A lot of the music is significant to our culture now because we&#x27;re trying to still hold on to what our country celebrated so long ago,&quot; she says.</li></ul>If you go: 5-11pm, Scottish Rite Consistory, adults $25, kids $5.

Prairie Meadows to get a new poker room, horse barn

The project includes a $200,000 horse exerciser.

Prairie Meadows is planning a $2.2 million upgrade, including a new horse barn and the relocation of its poker room.Why it matters: The Altoona casino <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annually generates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/10/08/prairie-meadows-casino-grants-central-iowa" data-vars-content-id="adb1725a-4f01-484a-b5a3-10d9229613ad" data-vars-headline="Prairie Meadows to get a new poker room, horse barn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/10/08/prairie-meadows-casino-grants-central-iowa" target="_self">annually generates</a> millions of dollars for public initiatives.

How Des Moines Performing Arts CEO Monica Holt starts her day

Holt comes to Des Moines after a 16-year career at the Kennedy Center in D.C.

Like most in the theater industry, Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) executive director Monica Holt is a night owl — staying up late to watch shows at the Civic Center or scheduling (not sending!) emails at 10pm.<ul><li>&quot;When there&#x27;s not a show or anything else, I would love to be in bed by 11pm. My husband would tell you that&#x27;s mostly a fantasy,&quot; she tells Axios. &quot;More typically, I&#x27;m in bed sometime between midnight and 1am, and it&#x27;s just — old habits are hard to break.&quot;</li></ul>

Vermeer's next bet: Moon work

The Iowa-based company hopes to mine a rare form of helium.

Iowa-based equipment manufacturer Vermeer is eyeing its future <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on the Moon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/01/moon-artemis-ii-launch-florida" data-vars-content-id="de38ab6f-c771-459d-bf6f-5de7c459a14c" data-vars-headline="Vermeer&#x27;s next bet: Moon work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/01/moon-artemis-ii-launch-florida" target="_self">on the Moon</a>, including plans to mine for a rare form of helium.Why it matters: The effort could be a game-changer for fusion energy, quantum computing and national security advancements.

News 🗞

An amphitheater's comeback

Des Moines metro taps backup water early amid nitrate concerns

Polk County will pay law firm up to 50% of recovery in $2.5M settlement

A Yuengling lounge proposed at the Iowa Events Center

Celebrate Cambodian New Years Eve in Des Moines