The Iowa Board of Education approved an application Thursday for the state's first charter school run by an out-of-state organization.

• Horizon Science Academy in Des Moines will work with Concept Schools, an Illinois-based charter management group that runs 31 other schools in the Midwest.

Why it matters: Local Des Moines leaders who are helping start the charter argue there's a need for its services, which school officials say will provide smaller, targeted classrooms for Des Moines youth.

How it works: The school is STEM-focused and while anyone within the Des Moines school district's boundaries can apply, the primary demographic is expected to be lower-income, non-white students, according to the group's application.

• There is no tuition requirement and students will have longer school days and a year-round calendar.
• Projections show 200 students will attend at first and only K-3rd grade will be offered initially. Officials say it could grow to 650 students and offer K-12th grade by fall 2032.
• To recruit teachers, the school plans on offering them a starting salary that's $5K more than what's offered to first-year teachers in DMPS.

Zoom in: Horizon Science Academy is backed by several prominent Des Moines business leaders, including founders Roger Brooks and Sunnie Richer.

• The board also includes Christine Hensley, a former city councilperson.

Of note: Concept Schools has been under scrutiny for its ties to a controversial Turkish religious scholar, Fethullah Gulen, reports CBS News.

• Gulen, a Muslim cleric, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania, is accused by the Turkish government of organizing a 2016 coup that killed 250 people.
• A spokesperson for the group told Iowa Public Radio there is no direct relationship with Gulen.

What we're watching

Iowa would allow families to apply per pupil public school allocations — currently $7,598 a year — to pay for private schools, under a plan outlined by Gov. Kim Reynolds Tuesday night.

Yes, but: Groups like the left-leaning Common Good Iowa contend Reynolds' plan is not an option for much of Iowa.

• 41 of Iowa's 99 counties have no private school and 23 have just one, according to state data released last year.

Flashback: Last year Reynolds advocated for GOP primary candidates who agreed with her school choice efforts, ultimately helping to oust some of the incumbents who opposed her plan in the 2022 legislative session.

What's happening: Reynolds' strategy is showing results.

• Republican majorities grew in the Iowa House and Senate following November's election.
• And the governor significantly expanded her plan, which last year would have limited private-school vouchers to 10,000 families below an income threshold.

What's next: Iowa politicking.

• Groups like the Iowa State Education Association have unveiled a legislative toolkit to help oppose the "school choice" bill.
• Priorities for Iowa, a conservative group, this week launched a six-figure ad campaign featuring Reynolds.

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Maxie's Restaurant and Lounge in West Des Moines will permanently close on Feb. 18, manager Julie Agee told Axios Thursday.

Catch up fast: Maxie's has been in business since 1967 and is one of the metro's oldest restaurants.

• It's known for its onion rings and half-pound "Maxieburger."

What's happening: Owner Andy Mayfield has a health issue and efforts to sell the restaurant have been unsuccessful.

Yes, but: An investor showed interest in the listing Wednesday, the same day the real estate listing expired.

• It's still possible that a new owner could step in, Agee said.

🍔 Go: Mon.-Sat., 11am-8pm.

• 1311 Grand Ave., WDM.

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Saturday

🥫 A variety of Ankeny nonprofits and churches are hosting clothing and food drives from 9am to noon. Details here.

Sunday

🏠 The Jordan House in West Des Moines is hosting a free open house and book giveaway from 1-3pm. The historic home was a stopover for the Underground Railroad.

Monday

🍳 The YMCA is hosting a prayer breakfast at 7:30am at the Knapp Center at Drake. Tickets are available here.

🍎 Volunteers are needed to package food for Meals from the Heartland at 357 Lincoln Street in West Des Moines. Shifts are available from 9am to 4:30pm. Sign up here.

🤝 Community Youth Concepts is hosting several MLK Jr. Day service projects from 1-4pm at King Elementary in Des Moines. Sign up here.

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More than 500 Des Moines Public Library patrons are on a waitlist to read Prince Harry's "Spare," as of Thursday.

• The DSM system currently has 41 copies in book, CD, audio and eBook formats.

Catch up fast: The memoir is Prince Harry's account of life in the royal family.

• First-day sales surpassed 1.4 million copies, Penguin Random House said Wednesday.

What they're saying: "Spare" is one of the most sought-after books at the library since before the pandemic, Tim Paluch, a library spokesperson told Axios.

• The library has purchased additional copies to the best of its budgetary ability, he said.

The intrigue: Once demand settles, extra copies will likely be used for book club sets where people can check out 10 at a time.

• Yes, but: Don't expect that to happen for "many, many months," Paluch said.

The big picture: Libraries across the country are also reporting a rush on the book.

• In Minnesota, for example, more than 1,100 patrons of the Hennepin County Library were in a que for 48 copies when the book was released this week.