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Microsoft's AI epicenter is an Iowa water hog

Company is told it must "significantly reduce peak water usage" before expanding.

News

How Iowans are helping Ukrainians raise hogs

Raising pigs is a more profitable way of using grain supply.

Dog euthanizations on the rise in Des Moines

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa's dog intakes are also up.

Kum & Go officially sells

Maverik — Adventure's First Stop is now the nation's 11th largest convenience store chain.

Business

Iowa's sports bet totals drop $200+ million

The inaugural excitement of sports betting is waning.

Sports

Iowans placed $208 million less in sports bets during the fiscal year that ended in June as compared to the previous year, according to a Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) report.Why it matters: The 8% drop — from $2.455M to $2.247M — marks the first fiscal year cooldown since Iowa launched legalized sports gaming in August 2019.

Illustration of a die with different sports balls as the dots. 

Michael Jordan rookie card returns to auction

The unclaimed card is graded as "near mint" condition.

A Michael Jordan rookie card returned to an online auction yesterday after state government officials documented its authenticity.Why it matters: Some of MJ&#x27;s 1986 Fleer cards have sold for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of thousands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oldsportscards.com/michael-jordan-rookie-card/" data-vars-content-id="a925792a-bab6-4ebf-8616-74cb30c113b9" data-vars-headline="Michael Jordan rookie card returns to auction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oldsportscards.com/michael-jordan-rookie-card/" target="_blank">hundreds of thousands</a> of dollars in perfect condition.

The teetering future of a downtown soccer stadium

The project has a budget gap of millions of dollars.

The future of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$95 million professional soccer stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/01/28/des-moines-pro-soccer-team-usl-championship" data-vars-content-id="4a4cb039-bcf8-4af9-b27e-412f243b9afa" data-vars-headline="The teetering future of a downtown soccer stadium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/01/28/des-moines-pro-soccer-team-usl-championship" target="_self">$95 million professional soccer stadium</a> proposed downtown remains uncertain after about two months of financial renegotiations with local governments.Why it matters: The 6,300-seat stadium is part of a larger redevelopment plan of an area where steel wheel and pesticide factory buildings were left vacant for decades following the discovery of environmental hazards.

Iowa, ISU athletes accused of illegal sports betting

Seven athletes are accused of illegal wagers and hiding their identities.

Seven Iowa State and Iowa athletes are facing criminal charges stemming from a sports betting investigation, the Iowa Department of Public Safety shared Monday.Why it matters: The NCAA prohibits athletes from betting on their own games or sports, which can result in partial or permanent ineligibility.

Ankeny, Ames listed among the nation's best bike cities

Ankeny and Ames are among the country&#x27;s best mid-sized cities to bike in, according to one bike policy organization.Driving the news: PeopleForBikes recently released its seventh annual &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Places to Bike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.peopleforbikes.org/news/2023s-best-places-to-bike" data-vars-content-id="0425ee86-d746-4fca-9682-254e78b9d4dc" data-vars-headline="Ankeny, Ames listed among the nation&#x27;s best bike cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.peopleforbikes.org/news/2023s-best-places-to-bike" target="_blank">Best Places to Bike</a>&quot; report, providing ratings for 1,484 U.S. cities based on the quality of their bike network, writes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Jeff Tracy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/28/best-cities-for-biking-in-united-states" data-vars-content-id="0425ee86-d746-4fca-9682-254e78b9d4dc" data-vars-headline="Ankeny, Ames listed among the nation&#x27;s best bike cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/28/best-cities-for-biking-in-united-states" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Jeff Tracy</a>.

Meet Iowa's extreme cycling women

They recently raced in a competition longer than both RAGBRAI and the Tour de France combined.

Two Iowa women recently raced in a competition longer than both RAGBRAI and the Tour de France combined.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Race Across America" data-vars-click-url="https://www.raamrace.org/" data-vars-content-id="1024c8fa-6ed1-440c-abf0-0794a33f685b" data-vars-headline="Meet Iowa&#x27;s extreme cycling women" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.raamrace.org/" target="_blank">Race Across America</a> (RAAM) is a 3,000-mile ultra-endurance event spanning 12 states that&#x27;s dubbed &quot;the world&#x27;s toughest bicycle race.&quot;

Sans Michael Jordan, auction still fetches $4k

Unauthenticated cards from athletes like Magic Johnson were part of the sale.

An abandoned safe deposit box full of hundreds of sports cards fetched $4,050 in the Iowa treasurer&#x27;s online auction yesterday.The intrigue: The final bid was about $2K more than what it was when the state removed what appeared to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a Michael Jordan rookie card" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/06/08/michael-jordan-rookie-card-iowa-treasurer-auction" data-vars-content-id="6450ab15-fc03-4a73-86b3-e8254a36a9d7" data-vars-headline="Sans Michael Jordan, auction still fetches $4k" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/06/08/michael-jordan-rookie-card-iowa-treasurer-auction" target="_self">a Michael Jordan rookie card</a> and reset the lot&#x27;s auction last week.

Illustration of a stack of money being thrown at a basketball hoop

Meet the youngest male half-Ironman participant in Des Moines

David Lee, 18, is competing in Sunday's half-Ironman competition.

David Lee graduated from Ames High School just a few weeks ago.<ul><li>But instead of a graduation party, Lee&#x27;s big farewell will be participating in Sunday&#x27;s<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Ironman 70.3" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ironman.com/im703-des-moines" data-vars-content-id="b9beace8-8cac-4444-aa4f-13d62023a9fe" data-vars-headline="Meet the youngest male half-Ironman participant in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ironman.com/im703-des-moines" target="_blank"> Ironman 70.3</a> as the triathlon&#x27;s youngest male competitor.</li></ul>State of play: The competition involves a 1.2-mile swim in Gray&#x27;s Lake, a 56-mile bike ride through West Des Moines and a 13.1-mile run downtown.Why it matters: The 18-year-old is also fundraising for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="YSS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gofundme.com/f/half-ironman-triathlon-for-rosedale-shelter?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer" data-vars-content-id="b9beace8-8cac-4444-aa4f-13d62023a9fe" data-vars-headline="Meet the youngest male half-Ironman participant in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/half-ironman-triathlon-for-rosedale-shelter?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer" target="_blank">YSS</a> — a non-profit youth shelter service where he volunteers.

Iowa yanks Michael Jordan rookie card from auction

The card can be worth thousands but there are no guarantees it's authentic.

A Michael Jordan rookie card among the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abandoned safe deposit box valuables" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/06/05/auction-safe-deposit-box-iowa-abandoned-treasurer" data-vars-content-id="8de94dd6-f0bd-42c6-9156-f773f14a0473" data-vars-headline="Iowa yanks Michael Jordan rookie card from auction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/06/05/auction-safe-deposit-box-iowa-abandoned-treasurer" target="_self">abandoned safe deposit box valuables</a> Iowa&#x27;s treasurer had listed in an auction was pulled for an appraisal.Why it matters: It could be worth <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of thousands of dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oldsportscards.com/michael-jordan-rookie-card/" data-vars-content-id="8de94dd6-f0bd-42c6-9156-f773f14a0473" data-vars-headline="Iowa yanks Michael Jordan rookie card from auction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oldsportscards.com/michael-jordan-rookie-card/" target="_blank">hundreds of thousands of dollars</a> but is also one of the most commonly faked sports cards out there.Catch up fast: Over 10 years of efforts to reunite owners or heirs with their safe deposit box items have failed.<ul><li>Auction revenues will be held by the state indefinitely for the rightful claimants.</li></ul>State of play: Axios noticed the rookie card soon after auctions began on May 30 and asked the state if it planned to have it appraised.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The lot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lso.cc/auction/4397/item/us-foreign-bills-sports-cards-no-credit-cards-135233/" data-vars-content-id="8de94dd6-f0bd-42c6-9156-f773f14a0473" data-vars-headline="Iowa yanks Michael Jordan rookie card from auction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lso.cc/auction/4397/item/us-foreign-bills-sports-cards-no-credit-cards-135233/" target="_blank">The lot</a> — which includes hundreds of other sports cards, some coins and currency — was up to $2,250 Thursday.</li></ul>What&#x27;s happening: Because of spiking interest, the state decided late yesterday to have the card professionally evaluated to avoid auction disruptions, Russ Trimble, the treasurer offices&#x27; chief of staff, tells Axios.<ul><li>Bidding for the lot with the card will be cleared and the auction for the other items will restart as soon as today.</li><li>It could take up to six months for the evaluation and the card to return to the market, he said.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: The auctions for other items continues until next week, and the state will decide what to do with the card after it&#x27;s appraised.

Inside the Iowa Cubs' $65M "Cubbie Village" vision

The plan would expand the area's use into a year-round entertainment district.

The Iowa Cubs have a loose vision to transform Principal Park and its surrounding areas into something likeWrigley Field in Chicago, GM Sam Bernabe told <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Iowa Podcast" data-vars-click-url="https://iowapodcast.com/sam-bernabe-principal-park-renovations-iowa-cubs/" data-vars-content-id="79a13b39-07d3-494b-b821-204ee1e13347" data-vars-headline="Inside the Iowa Cubs&#x27; $65M &quot;Cubbie Village&quot; vision" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://iowapodcast.com/sam-bernabe-principal-park-renovations-iowa-cubs/" target="_blank">The Iowa Podcast</a> last week.Why it matters: The plan would expand the area&#x27;s use into a year-round entertainment district in what podcast producers dubbed &quot;Cubbie Village.&quot;

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