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Massive landfill fire erupts in Des Moines hours after city warning

Metro Waste Authority fires nearly tripled in 2025.

News

<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>.

Mushroom festival will cover foraging, mental health and more

Things to Do

If you love all things fungi, toadstool, or just that little dude from Mario Bros., there&#x27;s a free event May 31 just for you.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The DSM Mushroom Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://dsmmushroomfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="7f531869-8ab6-4106-a3d0-68f323716d0e" data-vars-headline="Mushroom festival will cover foraging, mental health and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dsmmushroomfest.com/" target="_blank">The DSM Mushroom Festival</a> covers everything mycology, from foraging to mental health research.

Iowa reports more tick bites, illnesses

Multiple tick-borne diseases are up, a state report shows.

Iowa is entering a more complex era of ticks, marked by earlier bite reports, shifting disease patterns and a new invasive threat to cattle.Why it matters: Tick bites can make people seriously ill.

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.

My giant pumpkin is growing too large for my home

I'm growing a giant pumpkin for the Iowa State Fair.

Linh here. I&#x27;m growing a giant pumpkin named Hope to enter at the Iowa State Fair, and this weekend, I&#x27;m finally planting Hope (and Hope #2, just in case.) Why it matters: They are not happy with me.

Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2025: What you need to know

We're sampling the tastiest and the most unusual new foods.

State Fair

Welcome to our 2025 deep-fried series!<ul><li>We&#x27;re sampling some of the most delicious (and brave the weirdest) of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="68 new Iowa State Fair foods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" data-vars-content-id="3fd1ebbb-2500-4e5b-950e-3124e4f75953" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2025: What you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" target="_self">68 new Iowa State Fair foods</a> so you don&#x27;t have to — unless you like chaos in your stomach!</li></ul><figure><img alt="Two men in floral pastel shirts and one wearing a white cowboy hat smile while holding a plate of seafood in a room with a lobster painting, wine bottles, and a &quot;JR&#x27;S COWGIRL&quot; sign." height="2268" id="d9b2eb7e-5a10-4887-93fd-9f4dba4add92" src="https://images.axios.com/7-8aJjBVooNk2v2n3njtYAN0Rl4=/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/G_dmY895DT46IruukUqxF0r0jlA=/0x0:4032x2268/1920x1080/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/W9-tl3arok49l5we5zyPyTcxPTI=/0x0:4032x2268/1600x900/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/edWn34EoiQq9g_mlhGrLDt_gFv0=/0x0:4032x2268/1366x768/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/5mwONRlPf9zzttIhgUBiWbhLLT4=/0x0:4032x2268/1024x576/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/IVm_32WOtEkSnAePAUl5VMSZ1QQ=/0x0:4032x2268/768x432/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/WWV3j7Tt1cv9wmuikRwvo2y3b5o=/0x0:4032x2268/640x360/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/y5_iVBBEWEAWLbRqBAiTPBii-vo=/0x0:4032x2268/320x180/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Jr&#x27;s South Pork Ranch CEO Brooks Reynolds (left) and chef Corey Hansen also offer a High Roller combo version, which includes two rolls and a bottle of Dom Pérignon for $600 — the most expensive food menu item in Iowa State Fair history. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios</figcaption></figure>

One new Iowa State Fair food to skip: Pickle lemonade

Our review of the new item, which cost $9 for the souvenir cup.

Food and Drink

Pickle State Fair Lemonade has a splash of pickle juice and two pickle slices.<ul><li>It cost $9 for the souvenir cup.</li></ul>

We tried this over-the-top Iowa State Fair $100 lobster roll

For $600 you can get two rolls and a bottle of Dom Pérignon.

🦞 Jason here: Yes, I forked over $100 for a lobster roll, and fellow fairgoers, it&#x27;s worth every shiny penny!Why it matters: The High Roller Roll is one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="68 new fair foods this year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" data-vars-content-id="fccb2773-fa81-4dbf-901f-70663c2dc558" data-vars-headline="We tried this over-the-top Iowa State Fair $100 lobster roll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" target="_self">68 new fair foods this year</a>, highlighting what makes the Iowa State Fair special.<ul><li>It&#x27;s over-the-top fun food that tells a story and offers a chance to indulge in something you won&#x27;t find at your local Hy-Vee.</li></ul>

Iowa State Fair trash cleanup is a $520,000 lift

Cleaning up corndogs and cups is a $520K fairground feat.

From flattened Barksdale cookies to corndog sticks, trash cleanup is a complex, $520K operation at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iowa State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" data-vars-content-id="f432a218-8e90-4845-afac-48005642aa49" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair trash cleanup is a $520,000 lift" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" target="_self">Iowa State Fair</a>.Why it matters: No one wants to step on a cheese curd — and a team of contracted workers and student volunteers helps avoid that.

Iowa State Fair 2023 revenue rose thanks to higher admission prices

The 2023 fair had higher admission prices. It was also well attended.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iowa State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/state-fair" data-vars-content-id="804db539-7950-48a7-8220-0c294f32214a" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair 2023 revenue rose thanks to higher admission prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/state-fair" target="_self">Iowa State Fair</a> revenue jumped in 2023, thanks primarily to a $2 increase in ticket prices, according to a newly<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" released state audit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/reports/file/77465.pdf" data-vars-content-id="804db539-7950-48a7-8220-0c294f32214a" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair 2023 revenue rose thanks to higher admission prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/reports/file/77465.pdf" target="_blank"> released state audit</a>.State of play: Higher admission prices, combined with great fair attendance, helped the 11-day event garner more revenue than 2022, Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons tells Axios.

Iowa State Fair temperatures are coolest in recent memory

After a year of extreme severe weather, the fair at least is experiencing some cool weather.

Des Moines has experienced some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pretty extreme weather events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/21/tornado-outbreak-iowa-wisconsin-missouri-midwest" data-vars-content-id="4d438506-517e-4c31-8e31-f1183fd86885" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair temperatures are coolest in recent memory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/21/tornado-outbreak-iowa-wisconsin-missouri-midwest" target="_self">pretty extreme weather events</a> this year, but our summer temperatures have remained fairly moderate, according to the National Weather Service in Des Moines.Why it matters: After getting pelted with hail, thunderstorms and tornadoes, it&#x27;s nice to walk outside and bask in some of the mildest Iowa State Fair temperatures in recent memory.

Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2024: What you need to know

We're giving you our honest fair food thoughts.

Welcome to our special series this week, where we give you our honest fair food thoughts and let you know if it&#x27;s &quot;fair&quot; for your money.First up: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="candied bacon gnocchi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG6dXS3fZHg&amp;t=27s" data-vars-content-id="d8f227eb-bf4b-4b26-82ab-02df7fbc2ce8" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2024: What you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG6dXS3fZHg&amp;t=27s" target="_blank">candied bacon gnocchi</a> — a rich Alfredo sauce topped with herbs and parmesan cheese.<ul><li>The potato dumplings are gluten-free.</li></ul>Jason&#x27;s thought bubble: The sweet and salty bacon pairs nicely with the sauce.🧈 Butter ranking: one stick = ick; five = don&#x27;t miss it<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li></ul>Try it: Destination Grill, west of Jacobson Exhibition Center.What&#x27;s next: Check back here.<ul><li>We&#x27;ll post additional reviews of new foods in the coming days!</li></ul><h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Illusion Ice Cream</h2><figure><img alt="Strawberry sundae ice cream in a bowl" height="2268" id="52bc6037-3ae5-47ed-a6cc-0cc42205eb96" src="https://images.axios.com/jRItgooKWTAAi_Axuw4M6hxuiT4=/2024/08/15/1723744770230.jpg" width="4032"/><figcaption>Illusion Ice Cream ($10). Photo: Linh Ta/Axios</figcaption></figure>Bauder&#x27;s Ice Cream is serving up &quot;Illusion Ice Cream&quot; ($10), which has a fun twist.<ul><li>Vanilla ice cream is served with a chocolate shell and warm strawberry syrup with a cherry on top.</li></ul>Linh&#x27;s thought bubble: This new sundae is a creamy delight. The warm syrup breaks down the thick chocolate shell, so it wraps around the ice cream.<ul><li>It tastes like the frozen version of those old-school chocolate-covered cherries. Ask to see a demo!</li></ul>🧈 Butter ranking: One stick = meh. Five = don&#x27;t miss it.<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li></ul>Try it: Bauder&#x27;s Ice Cream, southwest of Agriculture Building<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Deep-fried Hot Cheeto Pretzel</h2><figure><img alt="Hot cheeto pretzel on a paper plate" height="2268" id="c657b369-2a28-4959-b282-483611182453" src="https://images.axios.com/RsXYd8gWMoSEmF05V6PZQhmBFs0=/2024/08/14/1723654606517.jpg" width="4032"/><figcaption>Hot cheeto pretzel ($8). Photo: Linh Ta/Axios</figcaption></figure>Hot Cheetos are all the rage at the Iowa State Fair, including this fried pretzel smothered with nacho cheese and Flamin&#x27; Hot Cheeto crumbles ($8).Linh&#x27;s thought bubble: It looked like something made by Cheech &amp; Chong.<ul><li>By that, I mean it tastes like somebody went to a gas station late at night, grabbed a stale pretzel and drenched it with whatever they could find.</li></ul>🧈 Butter ranking: One stick = meh. Five = don&#x27;t miss it.<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈</li></ul>Try it: Smith&#x27;s, east of Riley Stage and south of the Administration Building.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Apple fries</h2><figure><img alt="A photo of Apple Fries." height="2152" id="b6b5182a-edec-4235-bd11-4c2b64d46bc8" src="https://images.axios.com/B1R20ZbrPPDmrlNQ8J0rEvPJtM8=/2024/08/12/1723462686375.jpg" width="3826"/><figcaption>Apples fries ($7) are sold at two Applishus stands. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios</figcaption></figure>Apple Fries are true to their name: deep-fried fruit sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.<ul><li>They come with a side of caramel dipping sauce.</li></ul>💬 Jason&#x27;s thought bubble: The dish is like warm pie.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a perfect fair-inspired dessert.</li></ul>🧈 Butter ranking: one stick = ick; five = don&#x27;t miss it<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li></ul>Try it: Applishus, on the main floor of the Agriculture Building or at the east canopy of the Varied Industries Building.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Deep-fried bubble gum</h2><figure><img alt="two deep-fried bubble gum" height="2268" id="8c05816d-5c84-49be-b6ce-1aed66abf4d8" src="https://images.axios.com/jvynAQDZtcAGz1-c07CcYU5QOwg=/2024/08/13/1723559159137.jpg" width="4032"/><figcaption>Deep-fried bubble gum from Bubbly ($10). Photo: Linh Ta/Axios</figcaption></figure>Linh here. When I saw the list of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new fair foods" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/36390049.1079/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2Rlcy1tb2luZXMvMjAyNC8wNy8xNi9pb3dhLXN0YXRlLWZhaXItMjAyNC1uZXctZm9vZHMtcmV2aWV3P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfZGVzbW9pbmVzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/5fa45e0e9a1f1c38682b6d7cBf13096de" data-vars-content-id="d8f227eb-bf4b-4b26-82ab-02df7fbc2ce8" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2024: What you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/36390049.1079/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2Rlcy1tb2luZXMvMjAyNC8wNy8xNi9pb3dhLXN0YXRlLWZhaXItMjAyNC1uZXctZm9vZHMtcmV2aWV3P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfZGVzbW9pbmVzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/5fa45e0e9a1f1c38682b6d7cBf13096de" target="_self">new fair foods</a>, I was instantly intrigued by the deep-fried bubble gum from Bubbly.<ul><li>In my head, I imagined a wad of Dubble Bubble, greasy and fried.</li></ul>State of play: I&#x27;m happy to say, the dessert concoction doesn&#x27;t involve any oily gum wads.What it is: A fluffy, marshmallow bite dipped in bubble-gum funnel cake batter, fried and with a sweet drizzle.Linh&#x27;s thought bubble: This is a fun, creative take on gum that isn&#x27;t overly sweet.<ul><li>The marshmallow fluff mimics the stickiness of gum, while the actual bubble gum taste is light.</li></ul>🧈 Butter ranking: one stick = meh; five = don&#x27;t miss it<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li></ul>Try it: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bubbly" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/36390049.1079/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnViYmx5YmFyaXNmLmNvbS8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9kZXNtb2luZXMmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fa45e0e9a1f1c38682b6d7cB08866b20" data-vars-content-id="d8f227eb-bf4b-4b26-82ab-02df7fbc2ce8" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2024: What you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/36390049.1079/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnViYmx5YmFyaXNmLmNvbS8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9kZXNtb2luZXMmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fa45e0e9a1f1c38682b6d7cB08866b20" target="_self">Bubbly</a>, up by Grandfather&#x27;s Barn at the top of the hill

The Iowa State Fair's last church food stand celebrates 75 years

The West Des Moines United Methodist Church food stand is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

In the middle of the deep-fried, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gluttonous world of the Iowa State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/17/meet-the-fair-s-newest-foods" data-vars-content-id="fc99d667-5e51-43a3-8436-d0ab4634f7d5" data-vars-headline="The Iowa State Fair&#x27;s last church food stand celebrates 75 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/17/meet-the-fair-s-newest-foods" target="_self">gluttonous world of the Iowa State Fair</a>, a single church fair vendor is celebrating its 75th year of serving simple meals and coffee.Why it matters: The biggest and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="priciest vendors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/08/17/iowa-state-fair-lobster-roll-jrs-southpork-ranch" data-vars-content-id="fc99d667-5e51-43a3-8436-d0ab4634f7d5" data-vars-headline="The Iowa State Fair&#x27;s last church food stand celebrates 75 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/08/17/iowa-state-fair-lobster-roll-jrs-southpork-ranch" target="_self">priciest vendors</a> get a lot of today&#x27;s viral fanfare, but the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="West Des Moines United Methodist Church&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://wdmumc.org/" data-vars-content-id="fc99d667-5e51-43a3-8436-d0ab4634f7d5" data-vars-headline="The Iowa State Fair&#x27;s last church food stand celebrates 75 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wdmumc.org/" target="_blank">West Des Moines United Methodist Church&#x27;s</a> volunteer operation stands as a testament to building community again and again, despite a changing congregation.

Meet the man behind the Iowa State Fair Sky Glider for the last 50 years

Tracy Shedd has worked on the Sky Glider since he was a teenager.

The Iowa State Fair is celebrating the Sky Glider&#x27;s 50th anniversary, but for longtime fair employee Tracy Shedd, this also marks his 50th year of working on the ride.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;If the Sky Glider is moving — that&#x27;s me,&quot; Shedd says.

State Fair

My giant pumpkin is growing too large for my home

💵 By the numbers: Iowa State Fair's economic draw

Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2025: What you need to know

One new Iowa State Fair food to skip: Pickle lemonade

We tried this over-the-top Iowa State Fair $100 lobster roll