The Science Center of Iowa will not reopen the Blank IMAX Dome Theater after water damage caused severe damage to the theater and film projector in 2018, Curt Simmons, president of SCI, told Axios Wednesday.

Yes, but: That 6,000 square-foot theater isn't going to sit empty — SCI is undergoing a $20 million capital campaign to redevelop the space.

• Details are sparse at the moment, but expect a major renovation that could include adding multiple levels and "substantially increase" public programming space, Simmons says.

Flashback: Heavy rains in June 2018 inundated hundreds of homes and businesses in central Iowa, including the IMAX theater, which was the first of its kind in Des Moines when it opened in 2005.

• Flooding damaged the roof, specialized movie screen, projector, audio system and film collection.

But SCI struggled to get reimbursed for the damage from their insurance company, filing a lawsuit in 2020 that accused Philadelphia Insurance Company of underpaying claims for damaged equipment.

• It ended in a settlement this year for an undisclosed amount of money.

What's next: SCI is still fundraising for its capital campaign and plan on sharing more detailed plans with the public soon.

The rooftops of the Iowa Events Center could become solar fields under new discussions among county officials, the site's general manager, Chris Connolly, tells Axios.

Why it matters: It would be a big investment.

• It could also help Polk County reach its environmental goal set last year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 90% by 2040.

Catch up fast: The IEC is a complex of buildings owned by Polk County that include Wells Fargo Arena, Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center and Hy-Vee Hall.

• Some of the roofs are nearly two decades old and nearing stages when extensive repairs or replacements will be necessary.

The intrigue: Solar installation might be made more cost efficient if done in conjunction with upcoming roof work.

• The potential scope and costs of the roof and solar projects have not yet been evaluated, Connolly tells us.

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President Joe Biden announced Wednesday he is canceling up to $20,000 in student debt for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for individual borrowers who make under $125,000 per year.

Why it matters: Student loan debt deters people from taking on other debts, like home mortgages.

State of play: The group with the highest amount of student loan debt in Iowa is ages 35 to 49.

• Yes, but: There are more borrowers ages 25 to 34, according to Federal Student Aid data.

Between the lines: The 35-49 crowd is more likely stretching out their own loan debt, helping their kids qualify for loans or attending graduate school.

🧑‍🚒 A fire destroyed a storage unit on the Iowa State fairgrounds that was used by Campbell Concessions. (Des Moines Register)

🏈 "Kinnick: The Documentary" will be playing at the Palms Theater in Waukee for several weeks. It was created by local filmmaker Scott Siepker. (WHO-13)

🚨 About 10 juveniles randomly and brutally assaulted a man at a Des Moines QuickTrip last week, he reported to police. An investigation is ongoing. (KCCI)

🚌 More than 218,000 people took DART to this year's Iowa State Fair. (Business Record)

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 "I always appreciate Iowa kind of doing a little warm up, like the minor league state fair so Minnesota can bring in the major leagues."

— Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz

Driving the news: The Minnesota State Fair starts today and Gov. Tim Walz had some fiery words to say about Iowa while he was chatting with our Axios Twin Cities colleagues.

Our thought bubble: This is gold coming from a fair whose pinnacle is its all-you-can-drink milk stand. (Ew.)

Classes for more than 31,000 students in Des Moines Public Schools started yesterday.

State of play: The next break is Sept. 5 for Labor Day.