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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta.

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Sand and Lahn to face off in first of four Iowa gubernatorial debates

Iowa bucks a national trend with four governor debates this fall.

News

Iowa voters get their first of four chances Tuesday to see Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand debate face-to-face before the Nov. 3 election.Why it matters: Iowa&#x27;s four gubernatorial debates make it a national outlier as face-to-face matchups disappear from competitive races.

West Des Moines considers e-bike ordinance

The city wants to restrict high-speed devices, and cycling advocates want to see more.

The West Des Moines City Council is considering moving forward with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-awaited high-speed e-mobility ordinance tonight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/06/17/des-moines-metro-leaders-debate-who-should-lead-e-bike-changes" data-vars-content-id="b66ff6ec-a2bd-4759-a5d4-88d9b994dab2" data-vars-headline="West Des Moines considers e-bike ordinance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/06/17/des-moines-metro-leaders-debate-who-should-lead-e-bike-changes" target="_self">long-awaited high-speed e-mobility ordinance tonight</a>, but local cycling advocates say there&#x27;s still a safety gap on city streets.Why it matters: Parents in the Des Moines metro are unknowingly buying their kids electric motorcycles and high-speed e-scooters, which can move at 30–60 miles per hour.

Downtown Des Moines could get new entertainment district

Polk County wants to study more than 12 acres around the Iowa Events Center.

Polk County may explore turning underused land around the Iowa Events Center into a mixed-use entertainment district that could include more convention space.Why it matters: The proposal could create a denser destination that adds housing, businesses and a larger tax base.

Elite basketball prep school plans Des Moines expansion

Iowa United dropped AAU as its founder doubles down on his passion project.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iowa United Basketball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/08/26/iowa-united-basketball-prep-school-des-moines" data-vars-content-id="a8654efb-b03b-4abe-ad11-b7b27cd5dce5" data-vars-headline="Elite basketball prep school plans Des Moines expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/08/26/iowa-united-basketball-prep-school-des-moines" target="_self">Iowa United Basketball</a> could invest millions of dollars to build a private outdoor recreation and training area.Why it matters: The project is another major investment by founder Mark Scharnberg in the scholarship-based prep school he and his wife fund.

Des Moines weekend plans: Oct. 9-11

From a vintage festival to a doggy costume party, there's plenty to do this weekend.

Things to Do

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Friday</h2>🪦 Jordan Cemetery Tour | Explore local history with costumed reenactments, a headstone restoration demonstration and a presentation on cemetery symbolism. | 9am–12pm | 2001 Fuller Rd., West Des Moines | <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Admission: $25" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wdmhs.org/historic-cemetery-tour/" data-vars-content-id="70b5a46c-8c49-4e1d-9972-07737a3545c9" data-vars-headline="Des Moines weekend plans: Oct. 9-11" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wdmhs.org/historic-cemetery-tour/" target="_blank">Admission: $25</a>

Bread and Puppet show coming to Des Moines

The touring political puppet show will be at Riverview Park.

Bread and Puppet — a political, non-profit theater company — is bringing its touring show of colorful puppets, brass music and pointed current events to Des Moines.Driving the news: The Vermont-based puppeteering group is performing at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Riverview Park" data-vars-click-url="https://breadandpuppet.org/tour#DesMoines" data-vars-content-id="13576b96-5f46-42bc-9832-f4df6602cb7e" data-vars-headline="Bread and Puppet show coming to Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://breadandpuppet.org/tour#DesMoines" target="_blank">Riverview Park</a> on Wednesday at 7pm.

For 5 Borough Bagels owner, music is expression of trauma

Toney Chem, co-owner of 5 Borough Bagels, expresses his hardships through music.

Toney Chem has been rehearsing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for his biggest music set" data-vars-click-url="https://toneychem.com/" data-vars-content-id="074853dc-8f15-4c63-a2be-7bfd5b91a70e" data-vars-headline="For 5 Borough Bagels owner, music is expression of trauma" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://toneychem.com/" target="_blank">for his biggest music set</a> yet in an unlikely place: his car.<ul><li>He&#x27;s been practicing while driving back and forth to visit his wife, Sarah, who&#x27;s spent the past month hospitalized with a severe lung infection and plans to watch his Panda Fest performance over FaceTime.</li></ul>

Things to do in Des Moines: Oct. 2-4

From an Asian food festival to free live music, the metro has plenty to do this October weekend.

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Friday</h2>🐼 Pandafest | A three-day Asian food and culture festival featuring street foods, cultural performances and panda-themed activities. | Outlets of Des Moines | Starts Friday at 4pm and goes through Sunday | <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets: $18" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pandafests.com/pandafestevents/iowa2026" data-vars-content-id="55f33739-135c-4ba4-89fd-3f6e25ad353b" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Des Moines: Oct. 2-4" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pandafests.com/pandafestevents/iowa2026" target="_blank">Tickets: $18</a>

Iowa startups explore better ag tech and bioplastics

It&#x27;s the first-ever <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iowa Startup Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iowastartupweek.com/" data-vars-content-id="42508033-dba8-45fa-ac60-ca7777310eac" data-vars-headline="Iowa startups explore better ag tech and bioplastics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iowastartupweek.com/" target="_blank">Iowa Startup Week</a>, and entrepreneurs from across the country are here for several days of pitches and networking.Driving the news: We chatted with two Iowa startups, one in turkey barns and the other in plastics manufacturing, to learn more about their innovations.

Historic Drake mansion opens for rare tours

The 1896 Captain Nicholas and Emma Johnson House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A 130-year-old Drake neighborhood mansion, rarely open to the public, will host guided tours this weekend.State of play: The 1896 Captain Nicholas and Emma Johnson House is listed on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Register" data-vars-click-url="https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/cafe4083-fde8-41e7-9083-85a4a42e6aed" data-vars-content-id="5e885208-f2a5-4690-b7c4-522bf66727c2" data-vars-headline="Historic Drake mansion opens for rare tours" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/cafe4083-fde8-41e7-9083-85a4a42e6aed" target="_blank">National Register</a> of Historic Places.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Des Moines

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="65ad868d-e4c0-4503-86ec-ebf96b0e6d9e" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Des Moines&#x27; East Village neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Des Moines weekend plans: Oktoberfest, Beaverdale Fall Festival

From German beer to dancing in the club, here are your weekend plans.

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Friday</h2>🍺 Oktoberfest at Des Moines Biergarten | Enjoy German bier, live music, games, food and family activities at Water Works Park. | 3pm Friday, 11:30am Saturday and Sunday | <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Free!" data-vars-click-url="https://www.biergarten-oktoberfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="06e9788e-cbac-4a9b-9bfb-3777e93ca408" data-vars-headline="Des Moines weekend plans: Oktoberfest, Beaverdale Fall Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.biergarten-oktoberfest.com/" target="_blank">Free!</a>

See 3 planets stretch across Iowa's September sky

September's sky show pairs perfectly with Drake Observatory's fall events.

Early risers can spot three bright planets stretching across the morning sky for the rest of the month, and they won&#x27;t need a telescope to see them.Why it matters: Saturn, Mars and Jupiter can all be seen, weather permitting, in September&#x27;s early morning hours, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per EarthSky" data-vars-click-url="https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury/" data-vars-content-id="2c69e5de-7cd7-47af-a094-1ac530f4bb89" data-vars-headline="See 3 planets stretch across Iowa&#x27;s September sky" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury/" target="_blank">per EarthSky</a>.

Des Moines drag king gets national spotlight

Trade is competing on season two of "King of Drag."

Des Moines drag king &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/your_weekends_trade/" data-vars-content-id="6bd92362-a880-456f-ba40-8f3642542672" data-vars-headline="Des Moines drag king gets national spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/your_weekends_trade/" target="_blank">Trade</a>&quot; is catching some limelight on the second season of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="King of Drag" data-vars-click-url="https://ew.com/king-of-drag-season-2-cast-revealed-12037654" data-vars-content-id="6bd92362-a880-456f-ba40-8f3642542672" data-vars-headline="Des Moines drag king gets national spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ew.com/king-of-drag-season-2-cast-revealed-12037654" target="_blank">King of Drag</a>&quot; on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Revry" data-vars-click-url="https://revry.com/details/series/LZEKepcBER2xfPiIl_36" data-vars-content-id="6bd92362-a880-456f-ba40-8f3642542672" data-vars-headline="Des Moines drag king gets national spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://revry.com/details/series/LZEKepcBER2xfPiIl_36" target="_blank">Revry</a>. Why it matters: Dakota Chambers, a transgender man, is helping bring limelight to drag kings, who are often overlooked in queer media in comparison to drag queens.

Things to Do 🗓

Des Moines weekend plans: Oct. 9-11

Bread and Puppet show coming to Des Moines

For 5 Borough Bagels owner, music is expression of trauma

Things to do in Des Moines: Oct. 2-4

Iowa startups explore better ag tech and bioplastics