Des Moines police are welcome at this year's Capital City Pride Fest Parade on June 12, but it's still unknown whether officers will participate, event spokesperson Jody Gifford tells Axios.

Why it matters: Pride organizers in multiple U.S. cities are yanking the welcome mat for officers in response to police shootings of Black Americans, and the event's origins honoring the Stonewall Riots against overpolicing, Axios' Russell Contreras reports.

Driving the news: San Francisco police are banned from wearing their uniforms while marching in the Pride parade later this month. In response, the San Francisco Police Officers Pride Alliance announced they won't participate.

• In Minneapolis, an LGBTQ advocacy group won't participate in the Twin Cities Pride festival this year due to the presence of police officers, which are required by local ordinances for safety.
• Seattle police, meanwhile, are being asked to stay off festival grounds this year.

The big picture: Tensions have been building for a few years with places like New York City, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, limiting police participation in Pride events.

Yes, but: Denver police have also been welcomed back for this year's PrideFest parade, after being banned in 2021.

• Officers and first responders will form a "marching contingent" for the parade.

Zoom in: The Des Moines Police Department has been a longtime partner of Capital City Pride, Gifford said.

• Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek told Axios officers have not formally participated in the parade in previous years but some department employees have on their own behalf.
• It's uncertain whether any officers will participate this year but the department will be on hand to help patrol at the event, Parizek said.

Keep reading for more details about Des Moines' Pride events

The mystery behind the loud and strange noise that shook Des Moines homes Monday night is finally solved.

The culprits: Four fighter jet planes — two F-35s and two F-18s — heading to the Des Moines Airport to prepare for a flyover for a Vietnam War veteran, according to the Iowa National Guard.

Driving the news: A thunderstorm rolled through the city on Monday. And then — a mysterious, loud and rumbling noise started around 11pm on the west side of Des Moines and steadily made its way towards the airport.

• After receiving multiple emails from readers, we contacted multiple state and local agencies about the source of the eerie sound.

What we found: The Iowa National Guard told Axios that four fighter jets came from Leemore, California, on Monday to flyover the burial for 82-year-old Larry Spencer, who was laid to rest on Tuesday in Van Meter.

• Spencer, who grew up in Earlham, spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of war after he was captured on a reconnaissance escort mission in North Vietnam in 1966, according to his obituary.
• He was one of the first prisoners of war to return from Vietnam and he went on to continue serving in the U.S. Navy, earning numerous military honors until his retirement as a commander in 1985.

What they're saying: Being a POW between the ages of 25 and 33 gave Spencer a new outlook on life.

• "His unique learning experience gave base for his entire life and was a determining factor for how he lived each day," according to his obituary.

✈️ Our thought bubble: Fly high, Commander Spencer.

💰 See what's new on our Local Job Board.

1. Marketing technology (MarTech) program specialist at Federal Reserve System.
2. Executive vice president, construction operations at Michael Page.
3. Vice president-facilities & administrative operations at EMC Insurance Companies.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

Olive Garden is bringing its third location to the metro and this time, the Italian restaurant chain is coming to Des Moines, a company spokesperson confirmed.

State of play: City documents show Olive Garden is trying to open at 6157 SE 14th Street.

• Darden Restaurants, which owns the chain, is seeking to construct a new, 6,500-square-foot building in the former parking lot for Aspen Fitness.
• It's currently still in the approval process and no opening date has been set.

🥖 Linh's thought bubble: Haters gonna hate, but unlimited breadsticks and salad just hits different.

🐓 Poultry exhibitions are on track to resume later this month at county fairs after being halted in March to prevent the spread of bird flu. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

🚨 A Porsche slammed into a wall of Carlisle High School Tuesday. The driver has minor injuries. No other injuries were reported. (KCCI-TV)

🪱 Jumping worms have been found in Iowa, including Polk County. They're an invasive species but there's still not enough data to indicate if they're harmful to farmers. (WOI-TV)

A recreational boulder facility and an interactive ball wall will be constructed in Des Moines' Cohen Park in the coming year, city Parks and Recreation department spokesperson Jennifer Fletcher tells Axios.

Why it matters: It'll be the first time such sports equipment is added to a public park system in Iowa, according to the department.

Catch up fast: Cohen Park's one acre of open space has been underutilized for recreation. For years, its primary purpose has been storm water detention.

• The City Council approved rezoning to allow for the park's improvements last week.

Details: The ball wall will include interactive panels and a library of games.

• A half basketball court and picnic areas are also planned.

What's ahead: Construction is expected to begin later this year and finish in spring 2023.