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How to fake it: 2026 IHSAA boys state wrestling

Downtown Des Moines is bustling this weekend with wrestlers. Impress your friends with knowledge.

Sports

If you&#x27;ve noticed an unusual number of intense teenagers roaming the skywalks, you&#x27;ve found your answer: It&#x27;s state wrestling tournament weekend in Des Moines.Why it matters: Iowa consistently produces some of the country&#x27;s most elite wrestlers, so when you see a kid dominate in Des Moines this weekend, there&#x27;s a real chance you&#x27;re watching a future Olympian.

Des Moines might buy adjacent buildings after Odd Fellows deal crumbles

A larger redevelopment package would be more likely to save the buildings, the city says.

News

The city of Des Moines is seeking to purchase three historic buildings adjacent to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Highland Park&#x27;s Odd Fellows Hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/05/historic-highland-park-building-could-be-saved" data-vars-content-id="05a6aa3d-1ae2-4f99-9496-ec7e4220c11f" data-vars-headline="Des Moines might buy adjacent buildings after Odd Fellows deal crumbles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/05/historic-highland-park-building-could-be-saved" target="_self">Highland Park&#x27;s Odd Fellows Hall</a>.Why it matters: An effort to redevelop the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="landmark building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dsm.city/departments/development_services/economic_development/200_euclid_avenue.php" data-vars-content-id="05a6aa3d-1ae2-4f99-9496-ec7e4220c11f" data-vars-headline="Des Moines might buy adjacent buildings after Odd Fellows deal crumbles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dsm.city/departments/development_services/economic_development/200_euclid_avenue.php" target="_blank">landmark building</a> fell through last year.

Drake's Greek Street could become "Agha Street"

The name is for the past president of Drake's now-closed Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Drake University&#x27;s Greek Street would be honorarily named &quot;Agha Street&quot; under a request being considered by city leaders.Catch up quick: Agha Noor Ahmed Khan was one of the last presidents of Drake&#x27;s Phi Gamma Delta fraternity before it closed late last year.

Iowa lawmakers push data center transparency

A new bill would require public reports on data center water and energy use.

Business

Iowa lawmakers want to know exactly how much water and energy the state&#x27;s booming data center industry is consuming.Why it matters: Iowa has become a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="magnet for data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/04/28/the-midwest-s-data-center-boom" data-vars-content-id="9d900c93-9b79-4fd0-acab-a9e75eef0878" data-vars-headline="Iowa lawmakers push data center transparency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/04/28/the-midwest-s-data-center-boom" target="_self">magnet for data centers</a>, but the infrastructure needed to power and cool these facilities puts pressure on the state&#x27;s electric grid and water supply, which can get passed on to homeowners.

Unromantic Valentine's Day plans in Des Moines

Take a ride in my Subaru and let me show you places only the locals know.

Things to Do

Hey, baby. Anyone can take you to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ruth&#x27;s Chris" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/08/15/ruths-chris-steak-house-opens-iowa-largest-restaurant" data-vars-content-id="8d9b8838-b66e-4ca7-a4b5-8ec3f2ffb03b" data-vars-headline="Unromantic Valentine&#x27;s Day plans in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/08/15/ruths-chris-steak-house-opens-iowa-largest-restaurant" target="_self">Ruth&#x27;s Chris</a> or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cooper&#x27;s Hawk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/12/02/coopers-hawk-winery-opening-iowa" data-vars-content-id="8d9b8838-b66e-4ca7-a4b5-8ec3f2ffb03b" data-vars-headline="Unromantic Valentine&#x27;s Day plans in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/12/02/coopers-hawk-winery-opening-iowa" target="_self">Cooper&#x27;s Hawk</a> for Valentine&#x27;s Day. <ul><li>But I know you. You&#x27;re looking for something unique, something a little less pedestrian.</li></ul>Take a ride in my Subaru and let me show you places only the locals know.

Salisbury House relaunches murder mystery dinners

A local mystery writer penned the latest murder.

Salisbury House&#x27;s popular Murder Mystery Dinners return next month, with tickets going on sale tonight.Why it matters: The two-show event typically sells out within hours.

Matcha business owner combines passion for plants and tea

Green Finds Cafe is a new matcha pop-up business in town.

Food and Drink

Green Finds Cafe, a mobile <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="matcha pop-up business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/greenfindscafe/" data-vars-content-id="12928d1c-97c6-4583-9a66-7f525f104ea7" data-vars-headline="Matcha business owner combines passion for plants and tea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/greenfindscafe/" target="_blank">matcha pop-up business</a>, is bringing the popular green tea beverage to events around Des Moines.The big picture: The drink is finding its way to menus across the Des Moines metro, especially as some people seek a subtler caffeine buzz than coffee.

The best thing Linh ate: Tous les Jours honey cheese pancakes

The $5 little pancakes have an irresistible chew to them.

If you&#x27;ve been to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tous les Jours" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/08/tous-les-jours-west-des-moines-food-review" data-vars-content-id="afd11826-f2b7-413d-9d89-ebd1b665db36" data-vars-headline="The best thing Linh ate: Tous les Jours honey cheese pancakes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/08/tous-les-jours-west-des-moines-food-review" target="_self">Tous les Jours</a>, the Korean-French bakery outside Jordan Creek mall, you&#x27;ll know there are a lot of pastry choices, including some hits and misses.<ul><li>However, I&#x27;ve found myself regularly craving the honey cheese pancakes ($5) — three little mochi pancakes with a cheesy filling.</li></ul>

Toyo Ramen brings authentic Japanese cuisine to Ankeny

The Tibetan owner says he also wants to give back to the community.

A new ramen shop is bringing Japanese flavors mixed with the owner&#x27;s Tibetan roots to Ankeny.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Toyo Ramen &amp; Japanese Street Foods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585587731972#" data-vars-content-id="9cf07876-c5ba-4015-bd63-bb6f8d950731" data-vars-headline="Toyo Ramen brings authentic Japanese cuisine to Ankeny" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585587731972#" target="_blank">Toyo Ramen &amp; Japanese Street Foods</a> opened Jan. 1 in The District at Prairie Trail, marking the first restaurant for owner Tashi Chompel, a Tibetan immigrant who trained in Japan.

What makes Des Moines, DSM? You tell us

Axios readers are revealing their favorites for our "best of" roundup.

Welcome to our ongoing feature inviting Axios readers to create the ultimate guide to authentic Des Moines.The big picture: The answers will be used to create a year-end roundup of our &quot;best of DSM.&quot;

Ankeny plans new trail at High Trestle Trail park

The new path will include small rising and falling hills along an otherwise flat trail system.

Development

Ankeny&#x27;s growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="High Trestle Trail Experience Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/06/ankeny-high-trestle-trail-experience-park" data-vars-content-id="e3285b37-cd16-469d-83ad-009bf98734dc" data-vars-headline="Ankeny plans new trail at High Trestle Trail park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/06/ankeny-high-trestle-trail-experience-park" target="_self">High Trestle Trail Experience Park</a> is getting a new &quot;flowline&quot; trail this year, giving outdoor enthusiasts some new ups and downs to explore.Driving the news: The nearly 900-foot paved path will be built off the High Trestle Trail and include small rising and falling hills along an otherwise typically flat trail system, Ankeny economic development director Derek Lord tells Axios.

We're excited about these new parks and trails in 2026 and beyond

There's new outdoor recreation to explore in the metro area.

Outdoor enthusiasts have several projects to look forward to in the coming years across the Des Moines metro.<ul><li>The following are projects planned for 2026 and beyond.</li></ul>

Windsor Heights gets new vintage store and art studio

The vintage store and art studio opened off University Avenue.

For <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Venus Moon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.venusmoonstudio.com/" data-vars-content-id="60e7413b-7d6a-4e82-8885-fdce654bec13" data-vars-headline="Windsor Heights gets new vintage store and art studio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.venusmoonstudio.com/" target="_blank">Venus Moon</a> owner Nicole DeMondo, an empty storefront along University Avenue in Windsor Heights felt like the perfect spot to open her vintage shop and art studio last month.The big picture: &quot;We&#x27;re all local businesses,&quot; DeMondo tells Axios. &quot;There are people walking up and down the street every single day from the neighborhood.&quot;

Science Center of Iowa prepares to reopen popular exhibit

"Small Discoveries" is a play space for kids to explore.

After months of renovations, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Science Center of Iowa is preparing to reopen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sciowa.org/visit/permanent-exhibits/small-discoveries/" data-vars-content-id="bcafce5c-8382-4115-b4db-adb4511a32e5" data-vars-headline="Science Center of Iowa prepares to reopen popular exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sciowa.org/visit/permanent-exhibits/small-discoveries/" target="_blank">Science Center of Iowa is preparing to reopen</a> its popular &quot;Small Discoveries&quot; exhibit on Dec. 17.The big picture: The permanent exhibit focuses on play and exploration for young children. The latest renovation includes updated features like an 8-foot water table and a mural station, Rob Burnett, SCI&#x27;s vice president of science learning, tells Axios.

Things to Do 🗓

Unromantic Valentine's Day plans in Des Moines

Salisbury House relaunches murder mystery dinners

Matcha business owner combines passion for plants and tea

The best thing Linh ate: Tous les Jours honey cheese pancakes

Toyo Ramen brings authentic Japanese cuisine to Ankeny