Axios Des Moines

March 07, 2023
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Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 867 words, a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: Caitlin Clark's domination
Caitlin Clark against Ohio State in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament last weekend in Minneapolis. Photo: David Berding/Getty Images
Caitlin Clark is ridiculous.
Driving the news: The National Player of the Year favorite helped turn Target Center into a sea of Hawkeye fans on Sunday, with a record-breaking 9,500 people in the stands.
- And the Dowling graduate didn't disappoint. With 30 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds, Clark led Iowa over Ohio State, 105-72, to win its second straight Big Ten Tournament title, writes Axios Sports' Kendall Baker.
Why it matters: It was the 10th triple-double of Clark's career, the third-most in Division I history among both men and women.
- She's the only player over the last 20 seasons (man or woman) with at least 25 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds in a game, per ESPN. And she's now done it twice.
By the numbers: Eye-popping stat lines have become routine for Clark, who's been filling up box scores with shocking consistency since arriving at Iowa.
- Freshman: 26.6 pts, 5.9 reb, 7.0 ast
- Sophomore: 27.0 pts, 8.0 reb, 8.0 ast
- Junior: 27.0 pts, 7.5 reb, 8.3 ast
The big picture: Women's college basketball has had its fair share of superstars, but few — if any — have transcended the sport like Clark does.
- Her Steph Curry-like range and elite passing skills are tailor-made for social media, helping her highlight reels routinely go viral.
- Clark's scoring outbursts and triple-doubles keep her name in the news, ensuring that even people who aren't fans of the sport know her name.
- With Iowa all but locking up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Clark will have a chance to become an even bigger name nationally as the Hawkeyes chase their first national title.
Looking ahead: Clark will return to Iowa next year — and says she may even come back for her extra COVID year. If that happens, the all-time women's D-I scoring mark would likely be hers for the taking.
- Kelsey Plum, the current record holder (3,527 points), averaged 25.4 ppg in 139 games at Washington.
- Clark has averaged 26.9 ppg in 94 games at Iowa.
The bottom line: Caitlin Clark is one of the most recognizable basketball players in America, regardless of gender or age, and her career has only just begun.
2. 🗳 1 civic thing: Urbandale's U-Plex vote
The indoor portion of the U-Plex would be about 65,000 square feet and include a playground, walking track, gymnasium and community rental space. Renderings: RDG Planning & Design via the city of Urbandale
Urbandale residents vote today on the "U-Plex," the proposed indoor/outdoor community recreation complex.
Details: It would sit on a nearly 12-acre site in Walnut Creek Regional Park and not be membership-based or considered a health club — meaning most of its facilities will be low cost and open to the public.
By the numbers: If voters approve, the project would cost up to $43 million and be largely paid for via a 20-year bond.
- The owner of an Urbandale home assessed at $200K would pay about $119 more in annual taxes, according to city estimates.
- The bond referendum must fetch at least 60% approval to pass.
👀 Read more and find voting locations

3. Fired police officer gets $25K settlement
Lourdes Hadenfeldt. Photo courtesy of the DSM Police Department
Des Moines is paying $25,000 to settle an employment discrimination lawsuit filed by a police officer fired after an investigation determined she made false claims.
Catch up fast: Officer Lourdes Hadenfeldt alleged that a driver swerved at her and hit her with the vehicle's mirror in 2019.
- But charges against the driver were dropped and Hadenfeldt was fired after an internal investigation determined Hadenfeldt had not been struck.
State of play: She was later denied unemployment and her termination was upheld by the Civil Service Commission.
- A Polk County district court in 2021 upheld and affirmed her termination.
Yes, but: Hadenfeldt alleged that other DMPD employees in similar circumstances had previously received lesser or no discipline.
- The only difference, she alleged, was that they were white males while she is Hispanic, according to the lawsuit.
The latest: The city agreed to the settlement shortly before a Feb. 27 trial, court records show.
- The City Council then approved the payment during a meeting last night.
What they're saying: Charles Gribble, an attorney for Hadenfeldt, declined to comment.
- DSM city manager Scott Sanders tells Axios the settlement was to "fully and finally resolve" litigation linked with Hadenfeldt's termination.
4. The Ear: Catch up on the news
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
🏈 A $4 million settlement has been reached in the racial discrimination lawsuit filed in 2020 against the University of Iowa's athletic department by a group of Black football players. (WHO-TV)
🥫 The Food Bank of Iowa lost the $200,000 pledged by the city via a City Council vote yesterday following contract disputes that left some metro pantries without access to the bank's food system. (Axios)
💵 The owner of District Bar & Grill in Court Avenue is suing his landlord, alleging financial losses of more than $50,000 a month. (Des Moines Register)
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5. Broadway's coming
A scene from "Mamma Mia!" Photo courtesy of DMPS
We'll all be dancing queens this theater season thanks to the latest Broadway lineup at the Civic Center.
Driving the news: Des Moines Performing Arts announced the shows for its 2023-24 Broadway season, including:
- "Girl from the North Country;" Nov. 28-Dec. 3
- "THE WIZ;" Dec. 12-17
- "Company;" Feb. 6-11, 2024
- "Funny Girl;" March 12-17, 2024
- "MJ;" April 30-May 5, 2024
- "Moulin Rouge! The Musical;" Aug. 20-Sept. 1, 2024
Plus: Additional shows include "Stomp" (Jan. 12 - 14, 2024), "Mamma Mia!" (Jan. 23-28) and Les Misérables (Feb. 27 - March 3).
🎫 Season tickets are available now.
Our picks:
😖 Linh hates Exit 8B when trying to get from I-235 East over to the East Village. Bleh.
😤 Jason hates Exit 70 from I-235 to I-35 southbound ’cause the traffic merge is horrid.
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