Wakonda Club's $8 million renovation is nearly complete with its golf course reopening May 14, general manager Rheanne Kinney tells Axios.Why it matters: : The club has been in Des Moines for more than 100 years, contributing to the metro's vibrancy with events like the Principal Charity Classic.Division over the changes led to hundreds of canceled memberships.Catch up quick: Wakonda is a private, member-owned club that sits on more than 143 acres just south of downtown in the Gray's Lake neighborhood.State of play: The renovation — headed by golf architect Tyler Rae — restored its iconic 18-hole golf course to...

Two Osage-orange trees propagated from those near President Abraham Lincoln's gravesite will be planted during an event today at Hoyt Sherman Place.Why it matters: The planting marks the final phase of an outdoor stage and lawn enhancement plan envisioned more than a century ago.Plus, officials will give away 100 red oak saplings to commemorate the project and the theater's centennial.Flashback: Hoyt Sherman is one of Des Moines' founders and served under Lincoln in the Civil War. His brother, William Tecumseh Sherman, was a famous Civil War general who also served under Lincoln.His mansion near downtown was expanded and transformed into...

A new book highlights the intriguing lives and interments of more than 120 people buried at Des Moines' Woodland Cemetery.Why it matters: The 176-year-old cemetery is a part of the historic fabric of the metro.The stories bring insight into what makes us DSM, authors Mary Christopher and Mike Rowley tell Axios.State of play: "Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines" was researched and written by metro volunteers, who donated more than 2,000 hours for the project.All book proceeds go toward cemetery restoration.The intrigue: The book's articles are short and focus on forgotten events, unique people or unusual memorials.Some stories are about the...

The Underground — Adventureland's beloved, musty, indoor rollercoaster— is getting a major facelift.Why it matters: The ride, which first opened in 1996, will reopen this summer with nostalgic remnants of the past — and a few more lights and scares, thanks to the team behind Slaughterhouse Haunted House.What's new: The coaster cars, animatronics, audio and lighting are getting revamped. The actual ride itself will have the same twists and turns as always.State of play: The Underground's original storyline won't change, but expect some additional scenes.And an updated, recorded narrator will share the tale of "Bad Bob" while you wait in...

Friday🎨 Valley Junction galleries and artists are joining together for a local Gallery Night at 137 5th Street. 5-8pm Free!Saturday🌎 Celebrate Earth Day with a park clean up and egg hunt. Find plastic eggs around Water Works Park and redeem them for glass ones. 8am to noon. Free!🎵 It's Record Store Day. Shops all around Des Moines are hosting events, including Zzz Records, Vinyl Cup and Marv's Record Shop.🛍 Shop around Highland Park, fill out a passport and get a chance to win a prize! 11am.Sunday🧶 Buy homemade goodies around downtown during the Des Moines Makers Market & Barhop. 1-6pm. Free!🐶 Walk a mile course with your pup near Captain Roy's and check out local vendors focused on dogs. 10am-noon. Free!

Linh here. I stopped by Zavy Kitchen, a new Vietnamese restaurant in the East Village.State of play: The restaurant is by the owners of Pho Real along 4th and Court.While that restaurant is great for a quick pho lunch or late-night boba, Zavy features an expanded menu of authentic Vietnamese cuisine with elegant date-night vibes.What I ordered: Beef stew banh mi ($13) — a hot stew with chunks of beef, carrots and a baguette on the side for dipping.What I liked: The banh mi bread is perfect for soaking in the beef juices.The meat was tender and fatty, which I prefer.The bottom line: Zavy is slightly more expensive than some other Vietnamese eateries, but the price tag includes the service and downtown experience, too.People have long associated Asian food with quick take-out, while other cuisines like Italian get to be fine dining. Zavy is helping break down this barrier, just like how Pho Real showed that late-night bar food doesn't have to be a greasy cheeseburgerWhere to find it: 111 E. Grand Ave., #101, Des Moines

Riccelli's Italian Restaurant has been sold.Why it matters: The sale marks the end of an iconic local business.The new owners do not plan to reopen an eatery on the site, Terry Riccelli, son of the founder, tells Axios.Catch up fast: Peter Riccelli Sr., the son of Italian immigrants, started the restaurant in 1964.It was known for its steak dinners and side of spaghetti, as well as its old-school decor that included linen tablecloths, chandeliers and a 1940s cash register.The family closed the restaurant in 2020 during the pandemic.State of play: The new owners plan to convert the building into a beauty salon, real estate agent Sue Randleman tells Axios.The sale is expected to close in the next 90 days.What they're saying: The sale is bittersweet, Riccelli says."My brother and I grew up in that restaurant and it was like a home. We hate to see it go," he says. Brothers Frank (left) and Terry Riccelli continued to operate Riccelli's Italian Restaurant for more than a decade after their father's death in 2009. Photo: Courtesy of Riccelli's Italian Restaurant via Terry Riccelli

Waukee city staff recently installed new "walk your bike" signs along a busy roundabout to reduce pedestrian accidents near Waukee Middle School.Why it matters: Pedestrian safety is a growing worry as the metro's suburbs grow and get busier.State of play: In the last 12 months, drivers hit two middle school-aged students riding their bikes on Warrior Lane roundabout crosswalks, Rudy Koester, Waukee's public works director, tells Axios.Both accidents resulted in non-serious injuries.Driving the news: The new signs were installed this month along with additional signage reminding drivers to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.Zoom in: Following the two accidents, city staff...

An artificial intelligence system that can identify aliases and collect years of personal data from hundreds of online sources is now being used by the Polk County Sheriff's Department.Why it matters: ShadowDragon surveillance software is intended to help investigate crimes like human trafficking.But the sweeping collection of data is ripe for government abuse, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa tells Axios.State of play: The Wyoming-based company says its software can in minutes map out online identities and associations or correlations among people using publicly available information online, including social media, chat rooms and dating platforms.The system doesn't access private...

Prime & Providence, West Des Moines' newest steakhouse, is preparing to open its doors in May at the 595 Tower.Driving the news: Axios got a sneak peek from chef and owner Dominic Iannarelli, who previously worked as executive chef at Jethro's and Splash.State of play: The restaurant's inspiration is a "fancy, not formal" steakhouse where almost everything is cooked via fire, including the steaks, seafood and vegetables, Iannarelli says.Zoom in: The centerpiece is a large, 15-foot hearth and two coal-fired ovens that customers can see through the kitchen's open-style concept.There's also an oyster bar patrons can sit at to enjoy a chilled shellfish tower or, in winter months, a "coal" tower with hickory chips instead of ice.The big picture: A major draw is the Japanese-imported Kobe beef, which has heavier marbling than most Iowans are used to, Iannarelli says.The intrigue: For people on a budget, the restaurant's everyday cocktail hour will include reduced-price oysters, as well as snacks under $20, like bone marrow meatballs, ahi tuna tacos and warm squid salad.Prices: Expect the prime steaks to go for $60-$110 and the Japanese imports for more.595 South 60th Street

Drake University could phase out 10 academic programs starting this year under a recommendation before the school's Faculty Senate Wednesday.Why it matters: Some of the programs on the chopping block help operate local amenities like the Drake Municipal Observatory and social initiatives like the Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp.Catch up fast: The cuts are part of the university's effort to reduce millions of dollars in its upcoming budgets, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports.The school announced its intention to eliminate the programs in March and asked affected faculty to submit "evidence that retaining the program is in the best interest of the...

Polk County Jail illegally recovers healthcare costs from inmates before they are convicted, according to a recent investigative report by the Iowa Office of Ombudsman.Why it matters: Due process also applies to inmates' funds, yet their money is being taken with little or no notice, and sometimes without going through a court process as required by Iowa law.Catch up fast: Jails are required to provide necessary care for serious medical and dental needs.By state law, county sheriffs are allowed to recover the costs from inmates, but only if they are found guilty and the costs are approved by a court.Reality...

I'm the latest Iowan dealing with home insurance hell.Driving the news: My tribulations started after I got a notification from Travelers this month that they were not renewing my home insurance, despite never having filed a claim.The reason? A tree limb overhanging my roof. Woof.The big picture: It's become increasingly difficult to get home insurance across the U.S. as storm damage and climate change-related disasters stack up.In Iowa, insurance companies are more discriminant following several years of severe weather, including derechos, straight-line winds and hail, The Gazette reports.The intrigue: It's not just Travelers that doesn't want to insure me —...

Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham starts her days by taking care of her dog and two cats … as well as the animals that hang outside her home."I don't really have a lot of time for hobbies, but I guess it's a hobby — I like to feed birds and raccoons and squirrels and all those little critters on my terrace."State of play: Graham is naturally a night owl and will typically be the last person to leave work at the end of the day.Her staff regularly receive 1am or 2am timestamped emails, but don't worry, she doesn't expect a prompt response."I'm almost asleep and then I think of something," Graham says.Driving the news: One of the biggest challenges Graham faced during her first year in office was overcoming misconceptions, especially from law enforcement agencies, about the leadership change in the county attorney's office.But having communication and building relationships with all of the police chiefs and the sheriff has helped, she says.Here's how Graham starts her day:⏰ Wake up: 7-7:30am.🍳 Breakfast: A small protein drink."I usually don't eat much in the morning."📚 What she's reading: Any text messages that came in overnight.

🌺 Enjoy nature after dark during a Hawaiian luau at Jester Park Nature Center. 6-7pm. Free!. 🛼 Skate to Taylor Swift's top hits at Skateland. Starts at 6pm. Registration: $14. Saturday. 😆 Laugh for a good cause. Watch a comedy fundraiser at The District Venue in Ankeny and...

A Whiskey River Ankeny employee was fired for calling 911 to report "a brawl" last year, she alleges in a wrongful termination lawsuit. State of play: The Whiskey River chain has been the subject of multiple legal battles in recent years, including a lawsuit over a 2022 shooting at its now-closed Des Moines location.

Panoramic 360-degree views of most Polk County properties were uploaded to the assessor's website this week.Why it matters: The new pics make it easier to do a little neighborhood peekaboo.Catch up fast: In 2022, Polk County Supervisors approved hiring Cyclomedia, a Dutch-based company that takes high-resolution street photos from its vehicles.Yes, but: The interactive pics caused the website to slow to a crawl in initial attempts to publish them online.They finally debuted this week thanks to software and site upgrades, assessor Randy Ripperger tells Axios.State of play: Going forward, Cyclomedia pictures will replace traditional still photos with a goal for new ones every two years when properties are reassessed, Ripperger tells Axios.A new round of photos, which provides assessors with more detailed images, is already in progress.Zoom in: At least eight other Polk County cities, including Des Moines and West Des Moines, also use Cyclomedia.The data is useful in assessing and inventorying public works or safety projects like flood mitigation and transportation planning, according to the company.The intrigue: Aerial photography and Cyclomedia images will be incorporated in the county's reassessment process as early as this fall, Ripperger said.The initial photos cost the county just over $500,000.

Data: U.S. Department of Transportation; Map: Thomas Oide/AxiosIowa had among the nation's largest increase by percentage in vehicle-related deaths last year, according to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Why it matters: The Iowa death count is the highest it's been since before the pandemic.Nationally, deaths were down almost 4% last year, Axios' Joann Muller reports.By the numbers: Vehicle-related deaths in Iowa increased more than 11% — rising from 338 in 2022 to 376 last year, according to the federal report.Only Rhode Island, Kentucky and Idaho logged larger gains.State of play: The report comes as safety regulators urge Iowa...

A local Korean American chef is bringing her popular menu out west to a Dallas Center restaurant.Driving the news: Jenny Symonds, the former owner of the now-closed Jenny Lee's Korean American Kitchen in WDM, is the new co-owner and executive chef at The Handlebar along the Raccoon River Valley Trail.She's partnering with the restaurant's existing owners, Nehru Cheddie and Jeremy Boysen.State of play: The Handlebar first opened in 2019, and while they considered rebranding the restaurant after Symonds joined the team, they decided to keep its original vision and cater to the locals and biking community, she says.Zoom in: The Handlebar's new menu will stay true to the "Midwestern palate," but with some Asian flavors also mixed in, per Symonds.Expect comfort foods like tenderloins, hamburgers, wings and pizza, and Symonds' own specialties, like Korean corn dogs and bulgogi tacos.They also plan to offer lighter fare for cyclists, like a Thai-inspired cold noodle bowl.What's next: The Handlebar plans to reopen April 18 after a temporary closure due to staffing changes.11am-9pm, Tues.-Thurs.; 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat.; 9am-4pm Sun.1607 Sugar Grove Ave., Dallas Center

An Iowa law that factors the impact of legislative proposals on marginalized groups is helping lower the state's prison population, former state Rep. Wayne Ford (D-Des Moines), tells Axios.Why it matters: The law Ford advocated for 16 years ago could help other states lower their prison populations.Catch up fast: Iowa was the first in the nation to require "minority impact statements" for bills dealing with public offenses or sentences.The statements evaluate the effects of proposed legislation on minority groups like people of color, women and those with disabilities.It was created in response to a 2007 report by The Sentencing Project...