Airports in Des Moines and Waterloo have some of the nation's highest vacancy rates for air traffic controllers, according to the most recent FAA data.

Why it matters: Two incidents — a deadly midair collision in Washington, D.C., last month and a plane from Minneapolis that crashed in Toronto this week — are drawing renewed attention to persistent staffing shortages.

By the numbers: Both local airport towers are each short 12 air-traffic controllers, per the FAA.

• Waterloo's 52% vacancy rate for its 23 air traffic controller positions is tied with Rochester, Minnesota, for the fourth highest nationwide among roughly 300 facilities.
• DSM International Airport's 43% vacancy for 28 positions is tied with seven others for the 20th highest rate.

State of play: The shortages come as DSM had a record high of nearly 3.2 million passengers last year.

• A new terminal is under construction and is expected to open in 2027.

The big picture: As of September 2023, the nation's airport control towers and approach/departure facilities, which are controlled by the FAA, were nearly 2,000 certified controllers short of the goal of nearly 9,000.

• En route facilities, which manage extensive areas of primarily high-altitude airspace, had 4,531 controllers — 1,136 short of their target.

State of play: Hundreds of FAA employees were recently fired by the Trump administration's push to make large-scale reductions, but none were air traffic controllers.

What they're saying: Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pressed the Trump administration via a social media post Monday for details about the recent FAA staff cuts.

• In response, Sean Duffy, the current Transportation Secretary, accused Buttigieg of failing to address the air traffic controller shortage for four years.

Zoom in: DSM International Airport spokesperson Sarah Hoodjer deferred questions to the FAA.

• Growing the air traffic controller workforce is "a top priority" of the agency, the FAA said in a statement to Axios Tuesday.

Go deeper: Air traffic controller shortages are a nationwide problem

Republicans in the Iowa Legislature are considering a series of bills that would impose new restrictions on minors' education and exposure to the LGBTQ+ community.

Driving the news: Below are three bills we're watching.

📚 Book bans in public libraries: Republican lawmakers are considering repealing an Iowa code that exempts schools and libraries from obscenity laws, Iowa Capital Dispatch reports.

• Iowa was one of the top states last year in the number of books it banned from schools, and that could now extend to public libraries. These bans often affect books centering on race, gender and sexual identity.
• Republican lawmakers say the bill is not a "book ban" and focuses on ensuring kids get age-appropriate materials. Democrats say parents can already control what books their kids check out from libraries, ICD reports.

💃 Drag show felony: This bill would make it a felony to take a minor to a drag show, ICD reports.

• Those found in violation of the law could face fines of up to $10,000.

🚫 Further classroom restrictions: This bill would extend the ban on teaching gender identity and sexual orientation to all K-12 students, Iowa Public Radio reports.

• The Legislature passed a law in 2023 banning this instruction for K-sixth grade students that is being challenged in court.

When Laura Federico struggled to have a second baby, she felt shame as she tried to navigate the medical system in Des Moines and was treated by professionals like "one size fits all" rather than focusing on her body's specific needs.

Driving the news: Federico details her experience and offers resources to others in "The Cycle Book."

• She'll be at Eden in the East Village this weekend to talk about her book.

State of play: Though Federico works as a professional sex therapist, it hit her how little she actually knew her body when she struggled to get pregnant, she tells Axios.

• It was a lonely experience where she felt shame and didn't want to bother anyone else with her struggles like a "good Midwesterner," she says.
• Her ultimate breakthrough came when she finally confided in her friend, Morgan Miller, who is a Midwife who helped co-author the book

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🍎 Iowa Auditor Rob Sand said the state denied him access to determine whether millions of dollars going to private school scholarships qualify.

• Gov. Kim Reynolds' administration alleges Sand didn't follow proper procedures to obtain the information and accused him of launching a politically motivated attack. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

🔌 MidAmerican Energy is proposing a $600 million natural gas-fired turbine project in Adair County to address a "looming energy supply shortfall." (Business Record)

🗣️ U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley said "Congress can't do anything except complain" about federal workforce cuts because the Constitution gives the president the power to make those decisions. (Radio Iowa)

The Iowa State Fair Board met yesterday to consider proposals from vendors who want to take over the Steer N' Stein restaurant location.

Driving the news: A decision is expected today.

Catch up fast: Steer had operated from one of the fair's premium locations for decades, a spot with seating and air conditioning along the Grand Concourse.

• It was not invited back after fair officials accused owners of not paying bills.

Zoom in: Nearly 30 proposals from individuals or restaurants were submitted to the board, with seven selected to give presentations during yesterday's special meeting.

What's next: Today's meeting is in the Administration Building at 1pm.