Iowa men have historically enrolled in college at lower rates than women, but the education gap is widening, state data shows.

Why it matters: Men who choose to not pursue a college degree could face career and wage stagnation in the future, according to Iowa College Aid.

• Plus: Some studies show that obtaining a higher education leads to healthier and longer lives.

By the numbers: The number of male Iowa high school graduates who immediately enrolled in college dropped seven percentage points between 2012 and 2019 (64.5% to 57.3%), Iowa College Aid reports.

• The number of women who immediately enrolled after graduating high school dropped by only three percentage points — 74% in 2012 vs. 71.3% in 2019.

Filings for the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, aka FAFSA, suggest the gap continued in the pandemic.

• 41% of Iowa men filed FAFSAs for that school year, in comparison to 57% of women. Student aid is often an early indicator of whether someone intends to attend college.

The big picture: Enrollment in undergraduate and graduate programs has been trending downward nationwide for nearly ten years, according to National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data.

• And college enrollment saw dramatic declines during the pandemic.

What they're saying: Men are more likely recruited to work right out of high school, especially in agricultural or trade jobs, said Meghan Oster of Iowa College Aid.

• While men may work in a trade and earn $40,000-$50,000 right out of college, those salaries stagnate for workers without degrees, Oster said.
• Also: Women have felt pushed towards higher education as a means of independence, while “the ideology of masculinity isn’t changing fast enough to keep up,” The Atlantic reports.

Between the lines: Studies have shown mentoring is a helpful push for men considering college, but those relationships suffered due to the pandemic.

• Plus, there are heightened concerns about college debt, particularly for low-income men and among Black and Latino communities.

Around 50 acres of undeveloped land connecting Des Moines and Pleasant Hill will be turned into a new mountain bike park, Polk County Conservation director Rich Leopold told Axios yesterday.

Why it matters: Recreational advocates say the metro is in need of another public park, as evidenced by a 40% jump in trail usage last year.

• Plus, Copper Creek Mountain Bike Park will also function as a massive rain garden to improve water quality and reduce flooding.

State of play: Polk County recently purchased the land — which is near a flood plain and connects to the Gay Lea Wilson Trail just off East University Ave. — for $300K.

• Leopold said multiple attempts to develop parts of the site by previous owners have failed, largely because of its rough terrain.

🍋 Lemons to lemonade: While traditional development flunked, the property is ideal for a mountain bike park because its bumpy surface can be used as jumps, Leopold said.

• It's also conveniently located between developed areas of the two cities, allowing planners to integrate trails and green space.

Details: The county's drafted plans call for 4.5 miles of dirt tracks oriented for mountain biking, winter fat biking and hiking.

• A pump track and skills area would include rocks and other native landscaping features for bikers.
• A wetland area would help filter water from Copper Creek before it enters the adjacent Fourmile Creek.

What's ahead: County officials say the roughly $600K project could be completed in 2024, but the timeline is dependent on fundraising and grants.

• Some of the development costs could come from a special water quality and conservation improvement bond that will be on the November ballot.

💻 Russian hackers attacked a grain cooperative based in Fort Dodge and demanded nearly $6 million to unlock its computer networks.

• New Cooperative took its operations offline and developed a workaround to continue accepting grain. (Washington Post)

🗳️ Sen. Chuck Grassley would "solidly" defeat Democratic challenger Abby Finkenauer 55% to 37% among likely voters, according to the latest Iowa Poll. (Des Moines Register)

📱 The kids are at it again and they're vandalizing schools with the latest TikTok trend. (KCCI)

😷 The Ankeny school board voted to approve mandating masks following a tense meeting where there was yelling and obscenities from some people who opposed. (Des Moines Register)

• Johnston also voted to require masks last night. (KCCI)

A local nursing home won't face any state fines, despite employees sleeping on the job, residents’ bed sores being left untreated and inspectors finding widespread black mold. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

We told you last week about a proposed redevelopment plan to bring rowhouses, restaurants and recreational enhancements just south of Gray's Lake.

Question: Luke Elzinga of DSM asked us: Does the proposal include a connection between Gray’s Lake and Thomas Beck Road?

• That link would make the park far more accessible, he told us.

Answer: Yes, there are two pedestrian access points that would connect the road to the park via trails, DSM economic development coordinator Ryan Maffatt told us. One on the east end, and another on the west.

• The city is also considering a new parking lot in the area, with access off of Thomas Beck, he said.

Thank you for asking, Luke!

• Got a question? Hit reply and ask away.

We don't have a Crate & Barrel, but we have to count our blessings when we find them.