Axios Des Moines

June 08, 2021
Happy Tuesday, Des Moines.
- ๐ High of 88. Consider eating at one of Linh's favorite restaurants โ Pho 888. Pro tip: Get the vermicelli on a hot day like today.
๐ต Music news: 515 Alive, Des Moines' biggest hip-hop and electronic music festival, is canceled for another year. Even pre-COVID, the annual show was going through some pains.
Today's Smart Brevity count is 914 words โ a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: QAnon infiltrates our churches
Poll: 5,625 U.S. adults. Margin of error for full survey: ยฑ1.5%. Graphic: PRRI
QAnon's bogus conspiracy theories are taking root in a number of churches across the U.S., according to a recent poll Axios' Mike Allen told you about last week.
- In the DSM area, some religious officials told us that they've seen an uptick in people who believe the wildly inaccurate claims.
Why it matters: The spread of false narratives around the government, media and other institutions cultivates distrust, particularly at a flashpoint in our country as we try to recover from the pandemic.
By the numbers: 15% of poll participants agree with the QAnon allegation that "the government, media, and financial worlds in the U.S. are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex trafficking operation," according to the survey.
- Hispanic Protestants (26%) and white evangelical Protestants (25%) were more likely to agree with the QAnon philosophies than other groups. Black Protestants were 15%, white Catholics were 11% and white mainline Protestants were 10%.
- The online poll taken by Ipsos in March for the Public Religion Research Institute and Interfaith Youth Core involved a sample size of 5,625 U.S. adults. It has a margin of error of ยฑ1.5%.
Catch up quick: QAnon emerged about four years ago and hooked people with its video game-like structure.
- Its theories were amplified by followers of President Trump during last year's elections.
- The group has no headquarters or public leader and the FBI views it as a domestic terror threat.
What they're saying: Religious leaders in DSM are not actively promoting QAnon, the Family Leader's Danny Carroll told Jason.
- Yes, but: They have a moral obligation to denounce false narratives because "it's not OK to have your own made-up facts or behave abominably against others," said Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw of the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines.
2. River rentals at Captain Roy's
Canoes like these would be available for rent at Captain Roy's later this month under a plan that goes before the DSM City Council Monday. Photo courtesy of Quarry Springs Outfitters
You might soon be able to rent stand-up paddle boards, canoes, kayaks and bicycles at Captain Roy's under a plan that goes before the City Council next week.
Why it matters: Recreation is a big piece of the planned $117 million Central Iowa Water Trails project that's been in the works for years, and the rental program could pave the way for more water activities.
Details: Rentals will begin this month if the plan wins approval, Wade Thompson, an owner of CR's, told Jason yesterday.
- A shuttle will be available to take people and equipment from CR's to an upstream starting point on the DSM River, near Euclid Avenue.
- The equipment will be run by Quarry Springs Outfitters, the same group that began offering similar excursions down Beaver Creek from Johnston last year.
Be smart: This year's excursions will start small to avoid possible safety dangers associated with an upstream bridge project. But the route is expected to more than double in length in upcoming years.
- A roughly two-hour trip will cost about $25 in rental fees.
The big picture: Water recreation is expanding on our local rivers, and metro officials are trying to make it better and safer.
- DSM yesterday announced crews finished work on a bioreactor to improve water quality in the Easter Lake Watershed.
- General guidelines to help motorists and paddle-boaters avoid accidents on DSM waters are in the works, Quarry Springs owner Greg Rhames told Jason.
What's next: The City Council will vote on the plan June 14.
3. The Ear: Hot news kernels
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Fired Polk County medical examiner Gregory Schmunk shared a 2017 recording of some of his employees belittling a gay applicant days after the county settled a discrimination lawsuit over the incident for $200K. He was part of the conversation but didn't laugh and says he hopes it shows he isnโt โanti-gay.โ (Des Moines Register ๐)
๐ค Dan + Shay is replacing Keith Urban as an Aug. 21 headliner at the Iowa State Fair. Urban had to cancel because of a scheduling conflict.
๐ The fish kill at a Raccoon River Park pond that we told you about yesterday was caused by low water levels, and likely drastic temperature changes combined with oxygen depletion, Jeff Kopaska of the DNR told us.
๐ฝ Today's corn pun comes courtesy of Axios reader Leah Haywood.
4. A new sweet treat
A refreshing coconut paleta with Fruity Pebbles and condensed milk from Mangos Gourmet Paletas in Ankeny. Photo: Linh Ta/Axios
Mangos Gourmet Paletas is the newest dessert spot in Ankeny, along Delaware Avenue.
- Paletas are Mexican ice pops that are typically fruit-based, with flavors like mango or pineapple. But there's also milk-based paletas, like chocolate or rice pudding.
- They go all out with toppings and drizzles at Mangos. Some choices include sprinkles, cereal, tajin, caramel, chocolate and chamoy.
Cost: $3.50 for a paleta, 50-cents for each topping and drizzle
Open: Daily from noon to 9pm, 2005 SE Delaware Ave., Ankeny
5. Have a meal with us
Jason and Linh eating at Chicken Heat in Des Moines. Photo: Linh Ta/Axios
๐ Hey! Linh and Jason here. Thanks for reading and getting smarter, faster with us.
Our latest news: Have a free meal with us! The reader who refers the highest number of new subscribers to Axios Des Moines by July 8 will get an all-expenses meal with us.
- Plus: You can bring a guest!
- We'd love to try a new spot or your favorite hidden gem and feature it in the newsletter.
Driving the news: We just launched our Axios referral program โ where you can earn free swag like a T-shirt, hat and stickers by sharing our newsletter with your friends.
How it works: Sign up for our referral program here and start sharing with the people that you know. We'll reach out to the winner next month.
See you soon!
6. 1 fun thing: Roxanne Conlin takes a flying leap
Roxanne Conlinโs weekend adventure. Photo courtesy of Gabby Roth/Des Moines Skydivers
Roxanne Conlin went skydiving in Winterset over the weekend.
- The DSM attorney and former gubernatorial candidate will be 77 later this month.
She's the first to land in this video.
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Des Moines.
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