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Des Moines' best chicken tenders: Christopher's

Christopher's is the place to stop for some unique tenders.

Things to Do

Listen, I&#x27;m not the type of person to order only chicken tenders when I go to a restaurant (unless it&#x27;s Raising Cane&#x27;s), but the Kim&#x27;s chicken tenders ($14) at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christopher&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.christophersdsm.com/menu" data-vars-content-id="74d0ad2a-6e0f-4711-8107-b87b89f7b333" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; best chicken tenders: Christopher&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.christophersdsm.com/menu" target="_blank">Christopher&#x27;s</a> in Beaverdale have me feeling a certain type of way.What it is: Three chicken strips breaded in cornflakes, almonds, and the secret to what makes it unique — brown sugar.<ul><li>It&#x27;s served with a side of honey mustard sauce (arguably better than ranch.)</li></ul>What I liked: As a sweet and savory lover, the sweeter breading won me over, balancing out the saltiness of the chicken. If you&#x27;re a fan of chicken nuggets and honey, this is the dish for you.<ul><li>Texturally, the cornflakes and almonds gave the strips a nice crisp and crunchy exterior.</li></ul>If you go: 5-10pm Monday-Thursday; 5-11pm Friday-Saturday; 2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines.

Tall plants along Fleur Drive tied to a $150K traffic settlement

Oversized vegetation in the street's median contributed to a crash, according to a lawsuit.

News

The Des Moines City Council agreed this week to pay $150,000 to settle a lawsuit claiming that plants in the medians along Fleur Drive contributed to an accident that injured a motorcyclist.Why it matters: The payout highlights how routine <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="streetscape decisions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/09/grant-street-diet-projects-desmoines-pedestrians" data-vars-content-id="caa1cfa4-dc98-4427-aa4c-a3ea5554b7b3" data-vars-headline="Tall plants along Fleur Drive tied to a $150K traffic settlement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/09/grant-street-diet-projects-desmoines-pedestrians" target="_self">streetscape decisions</a> can expose cities to liability risks.

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will be cut in half

The refuge center was damaged by severe hail in 2024.

The visitor center at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal-smith" data-vars-content-id="d82f67fa-fb31-4374-acc8-afbd66b39c22" data-vars-headline="Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will be cut in half" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal-smith" target="_blank">Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge</a> near Prairie City is set to be downsized following storm damage in 2024, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a draft federal planning document" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fws.gov/media/draft-compatibility-determination-nls-ee-multitype" data-vars-content-id="d82f67fa-fb31-4374-acc8-afbd66b39c22" data-vars-headline="Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will be cut in half" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fws.gov/media/draft-compatibility-determination-nls-ee-multitype" target="_blank">according to a draft federal planning document</a>.Why it matters: The visitor center is the main hub for environmental education and programming at the refuge, which draws thousands of students and visitors annually.

Dave's Hot Chicken and Bonchon opening in West Des Moines

Here are the latest restaurants opening and closing in the Des Moines area.

Food and Drink

Here are some of the latest restaurants that are opening, closing, or making moves across the metro.

Dallas County polling site mix-ups frustrate West Des Moines officials

For the special election, Dallas County had three voting centers, instead of the typical precincts.

Politics

Confusion over Dallas County polling locations did not help with the low voter turnout for a special West Des Moines City Council election last month, city officials say.Why it matters: Running the special election cost the city an estimated $30,000–$40,000, according to City Clerk Ryan Jacobson, and a runoff election on March 17 is expected to have a similar price tag.

Bills restricting abortion pills, ending vaccine requirements advance in Iowa

Lawmakers advanced bills that would restrict abortion pills and remove school vaccine mandates.

Iowa&#x27;s first legislative funnel deadline passed last week, narrowing the field of bills that can become law this session.Why it matters: Several measures have direct implications for Des Moines residents, including vaccine requirements and access to public libraries and abortion pills.

Iowa lawmakers propose banning undocumented women, kids from WIC

Republican lawmakers say they want to make public programs accountable to taxpayers.

Health

An Iowa House bill would prohibit undocumented women, infants and children from a federally funded food assistance program for low-income families.Why it matters: Local food bank organizers warn that taking away aid would result in more hungry infants and children at a time when food banks are experiencing record demand.

Bills by state lawmakers may curb local control, leaders warn

Legislation advancing through the House would prohibit local jurisdictions from enacting certain policies.

Iowa lawmakers advanced two bills this week that would further restrict local authority.Why it matters: City and county leaders and advocates say state legislation restricting local authority can undermine their ability to respond to community needs.

Trump brings midterm messaging, E15 push to Iowa

Trump said an E15 bill would reach his desk and pledged to sign it quickly.

President Trump used a Tuesday stop in Clive to kick off midterm-mode messaging — leaning hard into ethanol politics with a year-round E15 endorsement and addressing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE protests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/24/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agent?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="214b5cc8-9218-4225-9119-5456efc13100" data-vars-headline="Trump brings midterm messaging, E15 push to Iowa" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/24/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agent?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_self">ICE protests</a>.Why it matters: Trump warned that midterm losses could erase his signature policies while wins could lock in long-term changes and define his place in history.

Des Moines' biggest challenges ahead in 2026

The momentum of last year's record growth could be redefined by these issues.

The Des Moines metro is starting 2026 on the heels of one of the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="significant building booms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/08/19/des-moines-building-permits-construction-housing" data-vars-content-id="94067c54-31d8-4259-9e7f-7f8182ab99ec" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; biggest challenges ahead in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/08/19/des-moines-building-permits-construction-housing" target="_self">significant building booms</a> and growth spurts in its history.The big picture: The momentum could be influenced by multiple factors, including federal and state government issues — such as the future of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grant funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/12/02/giving-tuesday-iowa-donation-foundation-des-moines" data-vars-content-id="94067c54-31d8-4259-9e7f-7f8182ab99ec" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; biggest challenges ahead in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/12/02/giving-tuesday-iowa-donation-foundation-des-moines" target="_self">grant funding</a> that has become critical to many local governments&#x27; budgets.

Your 1-minute guide to Des Moines' 2025 elections

Local races are on the ballot this November, including mayor, city council and school board.

Election day is finally upon us. Here&#x27;s a one-minute cheat sheet of what you need to know to vote Tuesday.🗳️ Where to vote: Look up your polling place on the Secretary of State&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="website" data-vars-click-url="https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx" data-vars-content-id="9414de60-3576-4f0d-8cdf-d81880eb1269" data-vars-headline="Your 1-minute guide to Des Moines&#x27; 2025 elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx" target="_blank">website</a>.

Polk County's Connolly to retire after 25+ years as supervisor

At least two of the three Democratic supervisors won't seek reelection.

Angela Connolly will not seek reelection next year, ending nearly 30 years as a Polk County supervisor, she told Axios on Wednesday.Why it matters: Her decision means at least two of the board&#x27;s three incumbent Democrats will step aside at the end of 2026, potentially giving Republicans a better chance of gaining <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="majority control" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/02/25/polk-supervisors-republican-analysis" data-vars-content-id="8efa7b8a-d0ff-4537-9111-64b2ba759984" data-vars-headline="Polk County&#x27;s Connolly to retire after 25+ years as supervisor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/02/25/polk-supervisors-republican-analysis" target="_self">majority control</a> of the five-member board for the first time in decades.

Iowa taxpayers expected to see average of $3,000 in savings

There's disagreement about the bill's overall benefit to Iowa.

President Trump&#x27;s &quot;big, beautiful bill&quot; is expected to save Iowans an average of $3,139 on their federal taxes next year, according to an analysis released last week by the Tax Foundation.Why it matters: The savings could free up money for people to spend on other things, potentially giving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iowa&#x27;s economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/07/iowa-economy-gdp-economic-decline-agriculture" data-vars-content-id="20c6f9ee-e628-43ce-b257-4d592d6a32e8" data-vars-headline="Iowa taxpayers expected to see average of $3,000 in savings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/07/iowa-economy-gdp-economic-decline-agriculture" target="_self">Iowa&#x27;s economy</a> a much-needed boost.

GOP hopefuls head to Iowa ahead of 2028

Cruz, Youngkin, Paul and others are testing early 2028 buzz in Iowa.

Potential 2028 GOP presidential contenders are traveling to Iowa to court potential voters and donors as they build their national profiles.Why it matters: Iowa has long been the launchpad for presidential campaigns, and though that tradition is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shifting for Democrats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/10/iowa-democrats-plot-2028-comeback-for-caucuses" data-vars-content-id="71e01f40-670a-4989-a050-2beb70ef569a" data-vars-headline="GOP hopefuls head to Iowa ahead of 2028" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/10/iowa-democrats-plot-2028-comeback-for-caucuses" target="_self">shifting for Democrats</a>, Republicans are doubling down.

Politics 🇺🇸

Dallas County polling site mix-ups frustrate West Des Moines officials

Bills restricting abortion pills, ending vaccine requirements advance in Iowa

Iowa lawmakers propose banning undocumented women, kids from WIC

Bills by state lawmakers may curb local control, leaders warn

Trump brings midterm messaging, E15 push to Iowa