Des Moines

Picture of the Des Moines skyline with DSM written across it.

blue

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

Axios Des Moines Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Des Moines Deep Dive

Deep Dive

Axios Des Moines Partners

Axios Des Moines

Standard

Des Moines Members

Membership

Iowa Senate and governor races shift left

New Cook Report ratings put Iowa's top 2026 contests back in play.

News

Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate race is now a toss-up, and the governor’s race is also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highly competitive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" data-vars-content-id="ac226b9a-ca23-4a5e-9de6-a1d88b0a68ac" data-vars-headline="Iowa Senate and governor races shift left" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" target="_self">highly competitive</a>, according to the latest projections from The Cook Political Report.Why it matters: Iowa’s return to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="battleground status" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/06/03/iowa-democrats-stage-rural-comeback-turek-sand" data-vars-content-id="ac226b9a-ca23-4a5e-9de6-a1d88b0a68ac" data-vars-headline="Iowa Senate and governor races shift left" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/06/03/iowa-democrats-stage-rural-comeback-turek-sand" target="_self">battleground status</a> gives Democrats a rare chance to break the GOP’s statewide grip and reshape the fight for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="control of the U.S. Senate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" data-vars-content-id="ac226b9a-ca23-4a5e-9de6-a1d88b0a68ac" data-vars-headline="Iowa Senate and governor races shift left" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/20/texas-iowa-senate-election-races-midterms-close" target="_self">control of the U.S. Senate</a>.

Water Cooler Talk: Who is producing the most nitrates?

Synthetic fertilizer is a major driver behind our rivers' nitrate pollution.

Hello! Welcome to our Water Cooler Talk series, where we answer your questions about our area&#x27;s water quality concerns.Driving the news: A question we got from multiple people:

WHO 13 meteorologist Jason Parkin reveals Parkinson's diagnosis

A Des Moines meteorologist is sharing his diagnosis to raise awareness.

WHO 13 meteorologist Jason Parkin has revealed that he has Parkinson’s disease.Why it matters: Parkin’s disclosure puts a familiar local face on Parkinson’s and could draw more attention and resources to the estimated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="20,000 Iowans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/journey-through-parkinsons-disease" data-vars-content-id="19262f01-894e-4516-9316-9639a43f6ec1" data-vars-headline="WHO 13 meteorologist Jason Parkin reveals Parkinson&#x27;s diagnosis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/journey-through-parkinsons-disease" target="_blank">20,000 Iowans</a> living with the progressive neurodegenerative disease.

One of Iowa's largest catalpa trees could become a sculpture

Des Moines city crews also plan to save its seeds and preserve its genetics.

Des Moines says <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of Iowa’s largest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/11/woodland-cemetery-catalpa-lightning-strike" data-vars-content-id="3097b3a5-9eba-41ee-bb9c-72be70f065ff" data-vars-headline="One of Iowa&#x27;s largest catalpa trees could become a sculpture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/11/woodland-cemetery-catalpa-lightning-strike" target="_self">one of Iowa’s largest</a> catalpa trees at Woodland Cemetery must be removed, but efforts are underway to save its seeds — and possibly turn its trunk into a sculpture.Why it matters: The 79-foot giant is a defining feature of the historic cemetery, so its loss is more than a routine tree removal.

We tried the new deep-fried cookie dough pie at the Iowa State Fair

Minneapple Pie made a big splash with its debut at the Iowa State Fair.

Food and Drink

Linh here. I hate myself for saying this, but my favorite new fair food happens to be from Minnesota.What it is: Deep-fried cookie dough pie served with a choice of homemade vanilla or cinnamon ice cream ($12).

We tried the Iowa State Fair's bacon-brisket mac-and-cheese donut

The donut has been getting rave reviews on social media.

Linh here. The Rib Shack, a popular fair food vendor, is serving up the wildest doughnut you can imagine: The Ultimate Bacon-Brisket Mac &amp; Cheese Donut ($7).<ul><li>With Patton Oswalt&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="famous 2007 comedy bit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eater.com/2020/1/27/21078673/patton-oswalt-kfc-famous-bowl-bit-eater-bowl-bowl" data-vars-content-id="15798463-05a4-4b21-ad96-9f227773704d" data-vars-headline="We tried the Iowa State Fair&#x27;s bacon-brisket mac-and-cheese donut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eater.com/2020/1/27/21078673/patton-oswalt-kfc-famous-bowl-bit-eater-bowl-bowl" target="_blank">famous 2007 comedy bit</a> about KFC Famous Bowls in mind, I set out to try it.</li></ul>

Iowa State Fair 2026: We tried the Cinnamozza Kdog

The new Korean corn dog is smothered in cinnamon, sugar and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Linh here. And I believe the most quintessential &quot;fair food&quot; comes from Korea — specifically, Korean corn dogs.What it is: Cinnamozza Kdog ($18). It&#x27;s on a stick. It&#x27;s fried. And it&#x27;s full of stretchy mozzarella cheese.

Iowa State Fair 2026: We tried Parmesan ice cream

The cheesy ice cream is a nod to the 18th century.

Linh here. I don&#x27;t want to brag, but I eat a lot of Parmesan cheese. (I&#x27;ve got shredded and shaved right now.)<ul><li>So when I saw that Bubbly was serving up a Parmesan cheese ice cream, I knew I had to try it.</li></ul>What it is: An homage to the 18th century, when cheese ice cream was a popular delicacy.

Peanut butter and jelly on an Iowa State Fair corndog? It works

Sweet, salty and rich, this fair mashup is better than it sounds.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The PB &amp; J Corndog" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iowastatefair.org/food/whats-new#:~:text=PB%20%26%20J%20Corndog,Corndog%20Stand)%20(%2410)" data-vars-content-id="c01b1aad-7722-4fa1-b7fb-af846f4a0da6" data-vars-headline="Peanut butter and jelly on an Iowa State Fair corndog? It works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iowastatefair.org/food/whats-new#:~:text=PB%20%26%20J%20Corndog,Corndog%20Stand)%20(%2410)" target="_blank">The PB &amp; J Corndog</a> is what happens when your childhood lunchbox crashes into the Iowa State Fair — surprisingly good, wildly rich and sweet-salty in all the right ways.What it is: A corndog with peanut butter baked into the batter, topped with jelly and peanut butter. I tried the strawberry version.

EatFuti launches Iowa State Fair food delivery service

Instead of waiting in line, you can get someone else to pick up your food and drop it off.

If you want the hottest new fair food but don&#x27;t want to wait an hour in line, now you can get it delivered to you.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re willing to spend extra, the new service gives you some fair time back, so you can gaze longer at the butter cow.Driving the news: EatFuti, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local delivery company" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/03/27/eatfuti-doordash-ubereats" data-vars-content-id="7a3383c0-6ee5-4b8e-95e7-d2d5b28c4d74" data-vars-headline="EatFuti launches Iowa State Fair food delivery service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/03/27/eatfuti-doordash-ubereats" target="_self">local delivery company</a>, is sending 100 food runners to retrieve orders and drop them at designated pickup spots within the fairgrounds, the company&#x27;s Savannah Nguyen tells Axios.

I lost my prize pumpkins, but not my hope

I'm ready to share my disappointment with you, but true to their names, this story doesn't end in total loss.

Culture

Linh here. Last week, I was in denial over the state of Hope #1 and Hope #2. <ul><li>This week, I&#x27;m ready to share my disappointment with you, but true to their names, this story doesn&#x27;t end in total loss.</li></ul>

Iowa festival aims to explore the pursuit of happiness

Panels at the Tallgrass Festival of Ideas will center on the pursuit of happiness.

A festival in Des Moines will explore the theme &quot;The Pursuit of Happiness&quot; and the role the concept played in America&#x27;s foundation in light of the country&#x27;s 250th anniversary.Why it matters: Despite Thomas Jefferson&#x27;s writings and having more material comforts than ever, Americans are reporting more unhappiness, anxiety and detachment.

Iowa State Fair ranks third by Yelp users for best food

Somebody, hold us back — the Iowa State Fair somehow only ranked third for best fair food in the country, and our passive-aggressive Protestant side is about to come out.Driving the news: In a fair food state ranking compiled by Yelp, the Midwest reigned supreme (obvi) with Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa as the top three states, respectively.

What RAGBRAI 2026 taught me about relationships

The ride has its ups and downs, literally.

Things to Do

Linh here. I&#x27;m back from my ninth RAGBRAI, and over the years, I&#x27;ve had many reflections about my favorite time of year.<ul><li>My latest has been the influence of the ride on relationships.</li></ul>

Things to Do 🗓

We tried the new deep-fried cookie dough pie at the Iowa State Fair

We tried the Iowa State Fair's bacon-brisket mac-and-cheese donut

Iowa State Fair 2026: We tried the Cinnamozza Kdog

Iowa State Fair 2026: We tried Parmesan ice cream

Peanut butter and jelly on an Iowa State Fair corndog? It works