As Pella Corporation celebrates its centennial this year, the Iowa-based window and door manufacturer is embracing a very different workforce than the one it started with.

Why it matters: Founded in a predominantly Dutch and majority-white community, Pella Corp. has adapted to a changing America and diversified its manufacturing workforce in response to ongoing labor shortages.

Zoom out: The U.S. manufacturing industry is facing a historic labor shortage, with an estimated gap of 4 million jobs by 2030, says Karmen Gardner, spokesperson for Pella Corp.

State of play: Over 30% of workers at Pella's manufacturing plants in places like Carroll and Sioux Center are Hispanic, and the company is investing in making its workplace more inclusive for those who speak English as a second language, Gardner says.

• Pella has rolled out bilingual training for English and Spanish speakers, Spanish-translated instructions, and handheld translation devices called Pocketalks on the factory floor.
• It also launched a new internal platform, Pella Connect, which allows employees to read company messages in their preferred language.

Zoom in: Between 2017 and 2022, the number of Pella's ELL employees at the Sioux Center plant grew from none to about a third of its roughly 400 employees, per the N'West Iowa Review.

• Before the changes, non-English speakers would not have been considered for employment, a Sioux Center production manager told the Review. However, the changes have occurred as the company seeks to expand its market share nationwide.

Yes, but: With the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, Gardner notes that immigrant workers have been important for America as a whole "... and certainly our businesses as well."

• "The biggest headwind to any company in our industry is the talent shortage," Gardner says. "So the more we can do to bring people into our country legally is great for our industry."

Go deeper

A new indoor-outdoor food and entertainment hub is headed to Kettlestone Central, a growing mixed-use development in Waukee along Grand Prairie and Westown Parkway.

Driving the news: Kettlestone Social will be a new year-round venue that includes a food hall for six vendors, according to Caliber Company, the developer.

• They're currently searching for businesses interested in leasing space.

Zoom in: The two-story facility includes arcade games, duckpin bowling and a rooftop bar.

• There will also be outdoor pickleball courts, fire pits, dining cabanas and yard games. The whole complex is around 16,500 square feet.

What's next: It's expected to open in 2026.

Protesters will demonstrate in parks and squares nationwide on Saturday in what organizers expect will be the largest single-day anti-President Trump rally since the start of his second administration.

Why it matters: The widespread movement will run counter to Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade in Washington, D.C.

By the numbers: More than 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups are partnering to organize the No Kings events.

Zoom in: The DSM protest is scheduled from noon-2pm at the Capitol, according to a social media post by Polk County Democrats.

• More than two dozen others are planned across the state.

State of play: Trump yesterday vowed that protests to the parade in D.C. will be met with "very big force."

What they're saying: Des Moines police have a team in place to respond Saturday if needed, Sgt. Paul Parizek tells Axios.

• He declined to provide details, saying it could compromise safety plans.

Hundreds of people gathered at Cowles Commons yesterday to protest Trump's policies and the immigration raids in LA. (WHO-13)

✍️ The ACLU of Iowa filed a civil rights complaint alleging that the state of Iowa discriminated against The Satanic Temple by denying its application for an event at the Capitol last year. (KCCI)

⛽️ A lawsuit alleging Casey's General Stores was involved in an illegal conspiracy to limit fuel pump competition was settled out of court. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

🚀 The launch of the Axiom Space mission commanded by Iowa native Peggy Whitson was delayed yesterday because of weather and is now scheduled for 7am today. (Radio Iowa)

🐟 The Iowa DNR is investigating a fish kill at Dean Lake, which drains through a series of stormwater basins and into the DSM River.

• River aquatic life is not expected to be affected. (News release)

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Customer Appreciation Week at Bankers Trust branch locations June 9-13: There's still time to take part in Bankers Trust Customer Appreciation Week celebrations. Join them for lunch at several branches today and tomorrow. See the full schedule here.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Just weeks after opening, Perfect 10, an Ingersoll sports bar with scantily-clad employees, has closed shop.

The big picture: Five bars and restaurants have occupied the east side of 2301 Ingersoll Ave. since the Soll Apartments first opened in 2018.

• Teddy Maroon's, Whisky River, Gusto Pizza, Blue Shark Ale House and now Perfect 10 have all opened and closed.

What they're saying: Thai Flavors opened on the west side of the building in 2021 and has witnessed the turnover next door.

• "It's really just been one after the other," supervisor Caitlin Contreras tells Axios.

The bottom line: While she's not sure why other restaurants have struggled in the building, she noted that parking — a common complaint on the street — shouldn't have been an issue since there was a free lot for customers.