https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/09/01/iowa-poison-ivy-removal-dan-boelmanhttps://images.axios.com/JMRlGqGm9cLFUTNmVyIZfy9rhec=/124x0:1404x720/1920x1080/2026/08/31/1788189745885.jpegDan Boelman says parts of the metro are in Iowa's "poison ivy belt," including this Madison County acreage with vines topping six feet. Photo: Courtesy of Dan Boelman/Iowa Poison Ivy Removal2026-09-01T11:21:06.919224+00:00https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/09/01/midwest-tick-bites-august-record-fallhttps://images.axios.com/Sbz0Rl1Tze6WWvxshUn3hIyWN7g=/0x0:2563x1442/1920x1080/2026/08/31/1788198524081.jpegPhoto: Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images2026-09-01T11:16:09.775751+00:00https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/09/01/iowan-brings-wicked-home-to-des-moineshttps://images.axios.com/0XR_QtaZGsxMKm_ALTu9a_lwsPo=/0x425:4377x2887/1920x1080/2026/08/27/1787852858494.jpegThe North American "Wicked" touring cast. Photo: Joan Marcus, courtesy of Des Moines Performing Arts2026-09-01T11:16:03.876487+00:00