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Des Moines mayor asks Iowa to make property tax payments

Des Moines has about $8.99 billion in property value that isn't taxed.

News

Des Moines is asking the state of Iowa, hospitals and other owners of tax-exempt property to make payments in lieu of taxes.Why it matters: The payments could help the city avoid closing a city pool or reducing library and police services — ideas recently discussed to cover <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a projected budget gap" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/07/01/des-moines-public-feedback-budget-gap-library-cuts" data-vars-content-id="56122701-52f8-49e2-9d13-9d2179137915" data-vars-headline="Des Moines mayor asks Iowa to make property tax payments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/07/01/des-moines-public-feedback-budget-gap-library-cuts" target="_self">a projected budget gap</a> created by a cap on local governments&#x27; property tax growth.

West Des Moines considers denser, more walkable neighborhoods

West Des Moines is reexamining its zoning code for the first time in 30 years.

West Des Moines is considering a new zoning district that would let developers build denser, more affordable neighborhoods.Why it matters: Suburbs are known for their wide sprawl and huge backyards, but the new &quot;blended neighborhood&quot; district could create more entry-level homes in walkable neighborhoods.

Iowa's booze tax ranks among nation's highest

Lawmakers considered "repealing the state monopoly" this year.

Iowa&#x27;s booze drinkers pay <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the nation&#x27;s steepest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/01/most-least-expensive-states-alcohol-taxes" data-vars-content-id="806c37c4-1681-49f1-97c9-a9b357e6f0e7" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s booze tax ranks among nation&#x27;s highest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/01/most-least-expensive-states-alcohol-taxes" target="_self">one of the nation&#x27;s steepest</a> distilled spirits taxes: $15.14 per gallon — the seventh-highest among states, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tax Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/distilled-spirits-taxes/" data-vars-content-id="806c37c4-1681-49f1-97c9-a9b357e6f0e7" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s booze tax ranks among nation&#x27;s highest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/distilled-spirits-taxes/" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>.Why it matters: That state-line price gap can add up for travelers, bar owners and retailers — and Iowa&#x27;s rate dwarfs that of every surrounding state.

Iowa senator patents smoke-free cigar rooms and opens Des Moines shop

Mike Pike believes his system could revolutionize indoor smoking.

Iowa state Sen. Mike Pike recently patented a ventilation system for specially designed cigar rooms that he says keep smoke and odor from escaping.Why it matters: He believes his system could revolutionize in-home smoking.

I'm scrambling to grow a giant pumpkin for the Iowa State Fair

Hope #1 and Hope #2 have a little over a month left to grow.

Things to Do

Linh here. I&#x27;m growing giant pumpkins in the hopes of showing one of them at the Iowa State Fair. <ul><li>They&#x27;re aptly named Hope #1 and Hope #2 (just in case).</li></ul>

Rural Iowa festival brings hip-hop, arts to small town

Middle of Nowhere festival highlights hip hop and diversity in Iowa's rural towns.

Hidden behind Iowa corn and soybean fields is a hip-hop and arts festival that aims to show diversity in music, art and community in small-town Iowa.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Middle of Nowhere festival" data-vars-click-url="https://thecellarwinery.com/event-calendar/2026/7/11/middle-of-nowhere-rural-art-music-festival" data-vars-content-id="9ebb95b2-b0b0-4f7b-a751-5a23c9498580" data-vars-headline="Rural Iowa festival brings hip-hop, arts to small town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thecellarwinery.com/event-calendar/2026/7/11/middle-of-nowhere-rural-art-music-festival" target="_blank">Middle of Nowhere festival</a> is hosting its third annual event Saturday at The Cellar Winery in Madrid.

Vietnamese coffee culture comes to Des Moines

The new coffee shop offers a full menu of Vietnamese coffees.

Food and Drink

A new cafe in Clive is bringing Vietnamese coffee culture and a taste of Saigon&#x27;s street life to the Des Moines metro.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saigon Day Cafe &amp; Bakery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/saigondaydsm" data-vars-content-id="c581af4e-94a8-4c84-b4f8-3a62a964488d" data-vars-headline="Vietnamese coffee culture comes to Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/saigondaydsm" target="_blank">Saigon Day Cafe &amp; Bakery</a>, opened by a niece-aunt duo, is offering a full menu of Vietnamese coffees, including cà phê muối (a salted coffee) and cà phê trứng (a creamy egg coffee), off University Boulevard near Taste of Italy.

My giant pumpkins for the Iowa State Fair are late bloomers

I'm growing two pumpkins, Hope #1 and Hope #2.

Linh here. Last summer, I won <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second place in the husband-calling contest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNZIxDgOsvk/" data-vars-content-id="344a4adc-3429-4a30-805d-2384e8bd3ea5" data-vars-headline="My giant pumpkins for the Iowa State Fair are late bloomers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNZIxDgOsvk/" target="_blank">second place in the husband-calling contest</a> at the Iowa State Fair.<ul><li>With way too much confidence, I decided to enter another contest and chose to grow a giant pumpkin, despite my lack of a green thumb.</li></ul>

CelebrAsian returns this weekend with a record 70 food vendors

The popular two-day festival celebrates Iowa's Asian community.

CelebrAsian is back this weekend <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for its 23rd annual event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iowaasianalliance.com/celebrasian" data-vars-content-id="dfb9d30b-6fb2-4739-b2e0-78213ce331db" data-vars-headline="CelebrAsian returns this weekend with a record 70 food vendors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iowaasianalliance.com/celebrasian" target="_blank">for its 23rd annual event</a>, and it&#x27;s using the moment to launch a fundraising push for a new refugee memorial project.Driving the news: Festival organizer Iowa Asian Alliance (IAA) wants to plant flowering and canopy trees along Robert D. Ray Drive and near the Capitol, with each tree symbolizing a refugee family as a &quot;living legacy&quot; to their stories, executive director Nu Huynh tells Axios.

Mushroom festival will cover foraging, mental health and more

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.

Waukee Parks exploring more green space, kayaks in future

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

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.

I finally planted my giant pumpkins outside

Hope #1 and Hope #2 have made it into their new homes.

Linh here! And I&#x27;m on a journey to grow a giant pumpkin in the hopes of showing it at the Iowa State Fair.<ul><li>Aptly, the pumpkin is named Hope (and I&#x27;m also growing Hope #2, just in case).</li></ul>

Hinterland returns with new stage, extra room and traffic flow

The St. Charles festival returns with a star-studded lineup.

Music

Hinterland is back this summer with new features, including a permanent stage and an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eclectic four-day lineup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hinterlandiowa.com/lineup" data-vars-content-id="caf3aab9-a901-4448-8962-c8d4d6c02dd5" data-vars-headline="Hinterland returns with new stage, extra room and traffic flow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hinterlandiowa.com/lineup" target="_blank">eclectic four-day lineup</a>, July 30-Aug. 2.Why it matters: No one really expects to see Lorde out among farm fields, and we get to proudly say they&#x27;re our farm fields.

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.

Things to Do 🗓

I'm scrambling to grow a giant pumpkin for the Iowa State Fair

Rural Iowa festival brings hip-hop, arts to small town

Vietnamese coffee culture comes to Des Moines

My giant pumpkins for the Iowa State Fair are late bloomers

CelebrAsian returns this weekend with a record 70 food vendors