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Massive landfill fire erupts in Des Moines hours after city warning

Metro Waste Authority fires nearly tripled in 2025.

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<figure><img alt="A video of a landfill fire." height="450" id="f3fc9e56-ff7f-4647-ac80-bc2b95907d9f" src="https://images.axios.com/HxfGd9MD4TbUyByiTFDZ1NDQQKI=/2026/05/19/1779190402770.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The fire at Metro Park East Landfill earlier this month is suspected to have been caused by lithium batteries or rechargeable electronics that ignited when compacted. Video: Courtesy of Metro Waste Authority</figcaption></figure>One of the largest landfill fires in metro history erupted hours after waste officials warned Des Moines leaders this month about their growing battle against improper battery disposal.Why it matters: Unbeknownst to many residents, rechargeable devices such as vapes, smartphones and electric toothbrushes are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turning household trash into fire hazards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/03/25/discarded-batteries-causing-fires-in-des-moines-metro-landfills" data-vars-content-id="0c001f30-bc03-4a29-969c-6c3a037202be" data-vars-headline="Massive landfill fire erupts in Des Moines hours after city warning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/03/25/discarded-batteries-causing-fires-in-des-moines-metro-landfills" target="_self">turning household trash into fire hazards</a>.

Waukee Parks exploring more green space, kayaks in future

Waukee Parks and Rec is asking for the public's input for future planning ideas.

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Waukee wants to make sure all residents are within half a mile of a park.Why it matters: The new plan will help guide future green space and recreation growth for one of the metro&#x27;s fastest-growing cities.

Iowa's unpaid tax sale challenged as unconstitutional

The system unlawfully strips property owners of their home equity, an Iowa man contends.

An Iowa homeowner&#x27;s fight to keep his house over a $2,441 tax debt could test whether the state&#x27;s tax-sale system unlawfully strips property owners of their home equity.Why it matters: If successful, the lawsuit could have widespread implications for how governments collect tax debt and whether they can be compelled to compensate former owners.

Polk County pays $6.5K for using an unauthorized whale photo

AI-powered copyright tools are making it easier to spot unauthorized uses.

Polk County Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously agreed to pay $6,500 to a photographer and his legal counsel for using a photo of a whale without permission.Why it matters: AI-powered copyright tools are making it easier for rights holders to find online infringements, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing the risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/24/24252410/nintendo-dmca-notices-mario-fan-art-ai-image-detection" data-vars-content-id="52dd56e8-f9b2-4f18-9d65-10a66a548274" data-vars-headline="Polk County pays $6.5K for using an unauthorized whale photo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/24/24252410/nintendo-dmca-notices-mario-fan-art-ai-image-detection" target="_blank">increasing the risk</a> for governments and other agencies that use photos on websites and social media.

Iowa pushes for more pasture as beef prices spike

Grazing pressures are affecting ranchers across multiple states.

Iowa cattle producers are urging Congress to allow more cattle to graze on conservation land, arguing that doing so could help the nation&#x27;s herd size recover from a 75-year low.Why it matters: The changes could benefit farmers and, over time, help ease supply pressures that are contributing to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="near-record-high" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/19/beef-burger-prices-record-high-usda-supply" data-vars-content-id="307a097e-764f-442b-98d9-87ab0ddac096" data-vars-headline="Iowa pushes for more pasture as beef prices spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/19/beef-burger-prices-record-high-usda-supply" target="_self">near-record-high</a> beef prices.

Polk County Conservation creates its own nonprofit to help local recreation

The local conservation agency is creating its own fundraising branch.

Polk County Conservation (PCC) has created a dedicated nonprofit called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Conservation Foundation of Polk County" data-vars-click-url="https://givecfpc.org/" data-vars-content-id="72c11260-9e5b-42f8-b375-02df4644bfbf" data-vars-headline="Polk County Conservation creates its own nonprofit to help local recreation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://givecfpc.org/" target="_blank">Conservation Foundation of Polk County</a> to make it easier to fundraise for local parks, programs and recreation.Why it matters: A new state law capped property tax revenue growth, meaning funding for the outdoors could face some pressure ahead, says PCC spokesperson Jessica Lown.

Des Moines library supporters rally as city weighs cuts

The city will have to make cuts due to a new state law capping property tax revenue growth.

Des Moines Public Library supporters filled the City Council chambers Monday morning to support the library ahead of potential budget cuts, but city officials questioned: If they don&#x27;t cut there, then where?The big picture: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law yesterday capping property tax revenue growth at 2% annually, forcing the city to consider cuts on services across the board.

Mass timber townhomes planned near Drake University

The project will rely on engineered wood rather than steel and concrete.

Construction of a nearly $7.1 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mass timber" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/26/wooden-skyscrapers-mass-timber" data-vars-content-id="a821144d-ec68-4f9a-9ae2-b7315b4eab36" data-vars-headline="Mass timber townhomes planned near Drake University" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/26/wooden-skyscrapers-mass-timber" target="_self">mass timber</a> townhome project near Drake University could begin next year.Why it matters: It would be among the city&#x27;s first townhome developments to use the building method that relies on engineered wood rather than steel and concrete, Molly Cutler of Cutler Development tells Axios.

Election workers in Polk County get a pay bump

The extra $1 will help offset extra work that election workers are being asked to conduct.

Poll workers in Polk County will get an extra $1 per hour before November&#x27;s elections, part of an effort to keep pay competitive with neighboring counties.Why it matters: The county relies on hundreds of temporary workers to staff precincts, check in voters, issue ballots, and help keep Election Day running smoothly.

Water treatment plant being considered at Des Moines' largest landfill

The dirty water that drains through trash is a growing concern across the U.S

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Metro Waste Authority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/05/12/metro-waste-recycling-construction-landfill" data-vars-content-id="6f2b33c6-0ef8-4fbb-ae7b-b3ce56bc8817" data-vars-headline="Water treatment plant being considered at Des Moines&#x27; largest landfill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/05/12/metro-waste-recycling-construction-landfill" target="_self">Metro Waste Authority</a> is considering building its own treatment plant at Metro Park East landfill to clean up the dirty water that drains through trash.Why it matters: The agency spends about $1 million a year hauling and paying others to process landfill water, one of its highest operational costs.

News 🗞

Iowa pushes for more pasture as beef prices spike

1 quote to go: A cancer loss for Iowa

Massive landfill fire erupts in Des Moines hours after city warning

Polk County pays $6.5K for using an unauthorized whale photo

Polk County Conservation creates its own nonprofit to help local recreation