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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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Dutch Bros faces a Des Moines drive-thru hurdle

The proposal could test how far the city will bend downtown zoning rules.

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A Dutch Bros coffee shop proposed for a downtown Des Moines site would face similar zoning hurdles that city leaders waived this month 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="c2a2e409-b2e0-4ade-a7af-9bd582f51d55" data-vars-headline="Dutch Bros faces a Des Moines drive-thru hurdle" 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>.Why it matters: The proposal will test whether Des Moines’ exceptions for Hyper were a one-off — or a precedent for more downtown drive-thrus.

Iowa Senate and governor races shift left

New Cook Report ratings put Iowa's top 2026 contests back in play.

Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate race is now a toss-up, and the governor’s race is also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highly competitive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" data-vars-content-id="ac226b9a-ca23-4a5e-9de6-a1d88b0a68ac" data-vars-headline="Iowa Senate and governor races shift left" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" target="_self">highly competitive</a>, according to the latest projections from The Cook Political Report.Why it matters: Iowa’s return to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="battleground status" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/06/03/iowa-democrats-stage-rural-comeback-turek-sand" data-vars-content-id="ac226b9a-ca23-4a5e-9de6-a1d88b0a68ac" data-vars-headline="Iowa Senate and governor races shift left" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/06/03/iowa-democrats-stage-rural-comeback-turek-sand" target="_self">battleground status</a> gives Democrats a rare chance to break the GOP’s statewide grip and reshape the fight for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="control of the U.S. Senate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" data-vars-content-id="ac226b9a-ca23-4a5e-9de6-a1d88b0a68ac" data-vars-headline="Iowa Senate and governor races shift left" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" target="_self">control of the U.S. Senate</a>.

Water Cooler Talk: Who is producing the most nitrates?

Synthetic fertilizer is a major driver behind our rivers' nitrate pollution.

Hello! Welcome to our Water Cooler Talk series, where we answer your questions about our area&#x27;s water quality concerns.Driving the news: A question we got from multiple people:

WHO 13 meteorologist Jason Parkin reveals Parkinson's diagnosis

A Des Moines meteorologist is sharing his diagnosis to raise awareness.

WHO 13 meteorologist Jason Parkin has revealed that he has Parkinson’s disease.Why it matters: Parkin’s disclosure puts a familiar local face on Parkinson’s and could draw more attention and resources to the estimated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="20,000 Iowans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/journey-through-parkinsons-disease" data-vars-content-id="19262f01-894e-4516-9316-9639a43f6ec1" data-vars-headline="WHO 13 meteorologist Jason Parkin reveals Parkinson&#x27;s diagnosis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/journey-through-parkinsons-disease" target="_blank">20,000 Iowans</a> living with the progressive neurodegenerative disease.

One of Iowa's largest catalpa trees could become a sculpture

Des Moines city crews also plan to save its seeds and preserve its genetics.

Des Moines says <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of Iowa’s largest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/11/woodland-cemetery-catalpa-lightning-strike" data-vars-content-id="3097b3a5-9eba-41ee-bb9c-72be70f065ff" data-vars-headline="One of Iowa&#x27;s largest catalpa trees could become a sculpture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/11/woodland-cemetery-catalpa-lightning-strike" target="_self">one of Iowa’s largest</a> catalpa trees at Woodland Cemetery must be removed, but efforts are underway to save its seeds — and possibly turn its trunk into a sculpture.Why it matters: The 79-foot giant is a defining feature of the historic cemetery, so its loss is more than a routine tree removal.

Ankeny voters to decide on sales tax increase

The city is the only one in the metro that doesn't have a local option sales tax.

Attention, Ankeny shoppers: Those items at Costco may become a little more expensive following a special election.Why it matters: The city of Ankeny is holding a special election to approve a local option sales tax (LOST) on Sept. 8 to help the city reduce property taxes and pay for road projects.

Lettuce stay: Des Moines garden fight gets a reprieve

Nearly 700 people have signed an online petition in favor of the gardener.

A Des Moines woman <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fighting a city citation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/13/des-moines-edible-plants-right-of-way-garden-citation" data-vars-content-id="a1ff5a12-a01d-4d26-a849-8ec1aa3af80d" data-vars-headline="Lettuce stay: Des Moines garden fight gets a reprieve" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/13/des-moines-edible-plants-right-of-way-garden-citation" target="_self">fighting a city citation</a> over her right-of-way vegetable garden can continue growing food there until Nov. 2 under an agreement reached Wednesday.Why it matters: The settlement could ultimately save Allison Stuart’s garden as the city’s Food Sustainability Advisory Committee reviews rules that prohibit edible plants in the space between sidewalks and streets.

Des Moines explores neighborhood disaster hubs

A pilot plan could shape where residents get help during disasters.

Des Moines is developing a plan to turn neighborhood spaces into hubs where residents can access power, water and other assistance during extreme weather and disasters.Why it matters: They could make disaster response more local, accessible and dependable.

Neighborhood opposes Dutch Bros drive-thru 

Association warns that an additional downtown drive-thru could set a trend.

<blockquote>&quot;Permitting a second drive-thru development just blocks away represents a shift from an isolated exception to an established trend along MLK Jr. Parkway.&quot;</blockquote><cite>— A letter this week to the DSM City Council from the Downtown Neighborhood Association.</cite>

Quote du jour: "What is the point of keeping my body alive?"

Rusty Martin is a retired Iowa Senate staffer with Alzheimer's who plans to die on Tuesday.

<blockquote>&quot;What is the point of keeping my body alive years after I&#x27;ve lost my mind?&quot;</blockquote><cite>— Rusty Martin, a retired Iowa Senate staffer with Alzheimer&#x27;s who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died early Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/10/des-moines-alzheimers-assisted-death-switzerland" data-vars-content-id="8b0ebe1f-8dae-49b3-bf9f-8b41cfd17d21" data-vars-headline="Quote du jour: &quot;What is the point of keeping my body alive?&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/10/des-moines-alzheimers-assisted-death-switzerland" target="_self">died early Tuesday</a> with the help of an assisted-dying organization in Switzerland.</cite>

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.

News 🗞

One of Iowa's largest catalpa trees could become a sculpture

Iowa Senate and governor races shift left

Ankeny voters to decide on sales tax increase

Lettuce stay: Des Moines garden fight gets a reprieve

Des Moines explores neighborhood disaster hubs