Principal Charity Classic's professional competition launches today at the Wakonda Club.

Why it matters: The annual PGA Tour Champions golf tournament is expected to raise roughly $8 million for Iowa children's charities this year, Principal Financial Group CEO Dan Houston tells Axios.

Driving the news: Wakonda reopened just last week after a nearly year-long renovation to restore the century-old course to its original design.

Flashback: Principal, one of Des Moines' largest employers, became the event's title sponsor in 2007.

• The event has raised almost $54 million since.

State of play: Money goes primarily to the event's charity partners — Blank Children's Hospital, MercyOne Children's Hospital, United Way of Central Iowa and Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa.

• More than 130,000 kids benefit each year from the event's fundraising, per Principal.

Zoom in: This year's classic includes new spectator attractions like Sunday's "Pedal to the PCC" with participants getting free tournament admission and MidAmerican Energy Sustainability Grove, where food trucks and phone charging is available.

The intrigue: Wednesday's pro-am players were the first to use Wakonda's new course.

• That's because members were unable to golf last week due to inclement weather, Principal spokesperson Megan Grandgeorge tells Axios.

Fun fact: This year's purse is $2 million, including $300K to the champion.

The big picture: The event will provide significant resources as charities are under additional strain helping families recover from pandemic-related setbacks, per Houston.

• "This is a game changer," he says.

If you go: Gates open at 8:30am today through Sunday. Tickets start at $25.

• Use the downtown Park & Ride for free parking.

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Multiple 29-foot glass panels at Krause Gateway Center are being replaced this week, nearly a year after they were damaged.

Why it matters: They were cracked by bullets last summer, some shot across Pappajohn Sculpture Park while dozens of people were in the area.

Catch up fast: The iconic six-story building has a nearly all-glass exterior and sports some of the tallest panels in the nation.

• They were damaged in the early-morning shooting but remained in safe condition to stay standing while new panels were constructed.
• No one was injured in the incident.

Zoom in: Theo Larkpor, now 22, admitted that he fired the gun, court records show.

• He pleaded guilty in September to two felony counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon. He was ordered to pay $2,000 in fines and $250,000 in restitution to the center's owners.
• Larkpor received deferred judgment, which means he would have avoided conviction if he successfully completed three years of probation.

Yes, but: Larkpor was arrested on charges of domestic assault and interference with official acts in April and is currently in the Polk County Jail, court records show.

• A probation revocation hearing in the Gateway Center case is July 22.
• Ronald Langford, Larkpor's attorney, did not respond to Axios' inquiries.

Flashback: Larkpor previously told Axios that he shot in fear after others pointed a gun or shot at him first, that he is remorseful and plans to pay for the damage.

A new severe weather warning system would replace Des Moines' 22-year-old sirens under a proposal that goes before the City Council Monday.

Why it matters: The current system was not designed to be used in freezing temperatures, potentially leaving citizens vulnerable in rare events like December derechos, Sgt. Paul Parizek tells Axios.

State of play: The new $1.7 million system would be connected to the National Weather Service, allowing the city to more precisely sound alarms.

• The city could also conduct testing at frequencies that cannot be heard by the human ear, allowing for fewer disruptions when mechanical work or inspections take place, Parizek says.

What's next: If approved, it will be installed in coming months.

A widespread phone and internet outage left hospitals and some emergency agencies across Iowa unable to receive all communications yesterday.

State of play: A water line break at the Lumen Technologies building downtown was to blame, KCCI reports.

• The "vast majority" of services had been restored, a Lumen spokesperson said late last night.

If you're looking for a more whimsical experience, stop by the Whirlythings Garden Art Show in Beaverdale on Sunday.

Driving the news: The art show by Beaverdale residents Ken and Marta Keiran features "wind-driven art pieces" for sale, aka — everything whirly, bright, colorful and chimes in the breeze.

Flashback: In the 1930s and '40s, farmers would make lawn ornaments for fun out of whatever spare parts they could find, including bicycle wheels and cream disc separators used for milk, Ken Keiran says.

• As a kid, Keiran remembers his father would make these art pieces. But when he died in 2001, he realized he never asked his dad how to make them.

State of play: He got creative and started rummaging thrift stores and garage sales for items like Jell-O molds, bowls, coffee cup hooks and whatever he could find that would spin in the wind.

• That grew into making "whirly things" for his neighbors and friends, which led to custom orders and an annual backyard show.

What's next: The Keirans are going on their 14th year of hosting the "Whirlythings" art show in their backyard, with 20 other artists also selling items.

• Expect everything from garden items, pottery, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, tie-dye and more.

If you go: 12-5pm Sunday; 4320 Franklin Ave., DSM.

Read more: Whirlythings' plastic challenge