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Iowans to watch at the Olympics
The Olympics opening ceremony in Paris kicks off at 12:30pm today.Why it matters: More than a dozen athletes with Iowa ties will compete, KCCI reports.State of play: Most of them competed on the collegiate level.At least eight attended Iowa State University and five attended the University of Iowa (UI).Zoom in: Karissa Schweizer is competing for Team USA's women's track team.She was raised in Urbandale, attended Dowling Catholic High School and ran cross country at the University of Missouri.Meanwhile, Peter Jok, who grew up in Des Moines, will compete in men's basketball for South Sudan, his birth country.He played high school basketball at Roosevelt and Valley before joining the team at UI.How to watch: The Games will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.Plus: Follow Axios' Olympics coverage and take note of key event dates. Peter Jok grew up in Des Moines and will make his Olympics debut in Paris on the basketball court. Photo: Mike Campbell/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Looking back at Adventureland's "Tornado" rollercoaster
Generations of Iowans have ridden Adventureland's iconic "Tornado" rollercoaster, and soon, the wooden ride is gaining a coveted designation as a "roller coaster landmark."Driving the news: The Tornado will be named a landmark by American Coaster Enthusiasts next month, during the group's national conference on Aug. 17.Only 48 rollercoasters have been recognized as landmarks, denoting a ride's historic value.Here's a look back at the history of the Tornado:How it started: The ride first opened to large fanfare in 1978 with former Gov. Robert Ray presiding over the Tornado's opening ceremony, according to a past Register article.With a $1.5 million...
Des Moines' iconic cow sculptures get a new coat of paint
Annie and Eric have been sanded and repainted just in time to welcome visitors to the Iowa State Fair, which starts Aug. 8.Catch up quick: The iconic fiberglass cow sculptures are the mascots of Anderson Erickson Dairy and the informal ambassadors of Des Moines' fairgrounds neighborhoods.Annie, who is 14 feet and weighs around 2,500 pounds, has been in place since 1966.Her calf, Eric, is just under six feet and joined her in 1977.The intrigue: A "cow caper" in 2007 ended in a stolen Eric and a damaged Annie.Police soon located the stolen sculpture and both were restored.
Iowa requires schools to teach cursive
Cursive instruction will be required at Iowa's public schools starting in the upcoming school year under new standards adopted by the Iowa Department of Education in June.Why it matters: While some argue cursive is outdated, any focus on handwriting is a positive move for improving literacy rates, Shawn Datchuk, Iowa Reading Research Center director, says.State of play: The new standards approved by the State Board of Education require learning manuscript writing, aka print, starting in kindergarten.They also require second grade students to begin learning cursive and form all cursive letters "efficiently and proportionately" by third grade.Flashback: In 2010, most states,...
Des Moines solar field to begin operations on former landfill site
Des Moines' first municipal solar field is expected to begin generating power Friday.Why it matters: Harriet Street Solar Field will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of about 570 homes, bringing the city closer to a carbon-free electricity goal.Zoom in: The $2 million project will provide renewable energy to DSM animal control and greenhouse facilities.The intrigue: The site — near the corner of Southeast 15th and Harriet Streets — was previously a landfill, making it difficult to redevelop for most other uses, city architect Ann Sobiech Munson tells Axios.The city is planting about 17 acres of pollinator habitat and native grasses around the site.Worthy of your time: Polk County's new solar projects.
Why Olympic silver medalists seem less happy than bronze winners
Despite their better performances, Olympic silver medalists seem less happy than their bronze-winning peers, according to a 2021 study by University of Iowa professors.Why it matters: The findings highlight how expectations can dampen or elevate our self-perception.State of play: The Iowa researchers gathered hundreds of photos of Olympians from 2000 to 2016 and used AI to document muscle movements and facial expressions like smiles.What they found: Even though the second-place finishers performed better, the analysis found that bronze medalists often appeared happier on the podium.The intrigue: The phenomenon occurs because of "counterfactual thinking" — a psychology term that refers to...
Iowa Dems praise Biden's exit
Iowa Democrats reacted with relief after President Biden announced Sunday he is dropping out of the race.Why it matters: The president's decision to exit is a monumental change in the 2024 presidential contest ahead of the Democrats' nominating convention next month.What they're saying: "The President's decision today gives an opportunity to turn the page on this chapter of our history and put people over politics again," Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst said on X."President Biden is a Statesman who has always put our country before himself. I urge all Americans to thank President Biden," Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Pam...
Scoop: Des Moines revises new homeless camp rules amid opposition
Des Moines has amended a proposal that strengthens anti-illegal camping regulations in response to pressure from homeless advocacy groups, Axios has learned.The big picture: The revisions lower the fines for those caught sleeping in public and explicitly exclude jail time as a possible punishment, assistant city manager Malcolm Hankins said in an email to advocacy groups obtained by Axios.The changes were made late Friday, a day after DSM released the proposal.Driving the news: The new rules will be considered by the council Monday at 7:30am. If approved, they could go into effect in as early as two weeks.Zoom in: Fines...
Des Moines could expedite its homeless camp removal rules within weeks
Illegal campsites could be removed as quickly as 24 hours after notice and violators fined under a newly-released proposal going before the Des Moines City Council Monday.Why it matters: The change — which could take effect in two weeks if approved — would expedite the current homeless camp removal timeline from the current 10-day notice requirement.State of play: Last month, a U.S. Supreme Court decision effectively gave cities the OK to enact more restrictive laws targeting outdoor camping, like Des Moines' new proposal.Groups like the ACLU of Iowa argue the rules can violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.Driving the...
Polk County launches a new solar initiative
Solar panels are being added to Polk County's administration, River Place offices and North Side Community Center buildings.Why it matters: The system will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of more than 300 homes and kick off what could become a massive collection of government-owned electricity fields.Catch up fast: Three years ago, Polk County set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 90%.Transitioning to an electric-based vehicle fleet and installing new heating and cooling systems are among the recent steps.Driving the news: Supervisors approved a $2.3 million contract for the solar project this week.Construction will...
RAGBRAI is stable even as Gannett cancels other events, organizers say
RAGBRAI leadership says the event is financially stable, despite a drop in registrations and its parent company recently cancelling another major cycling event.Why it matters: There's nothing else quite like it. RAGBRAI, which kicks off next week, is the world's longest-running multi-day bike ride. It attracts thousands of cyclists to experience a week of the best of what Iowa has to offer.Context: Since 2019, RAGBRAI has been operated by Ventures Endurance, an events arm of Gannett, the country's largest newspaper company, which owns USA Today and the Des Moines Register.Driving the news: Earlier this year, Ventures Endurance announced that it...
Des Moines food writer Wini Moranville releases new memoir
Local food writer Wini Moranville's new memoir comes out Wedesday.Why it matters: "Love Is My Favorite Flavor" offers a behind-the-scenes look into Iowa's culinary evolution, awakened from a "meat-and-potatoes" slumber in the 1970s to one that's globally inspired and locally purveyed.Catch up fast: Moranville's work as a food journalist spans about three decades, including as a national wine critic. She' wrote more than 750 restaurant reviews as the former "Datebook Diner" for the DSM Register.She currently writes "Wini's Food Stories," an electronic newsletter published on Substack.Fun fact: Moranville's "humble" start in DSM's restaurant industry began as a server and lasted...
Des Moines offers free curbside cleanup after derecho-producing storms
A line of Monday storms, including at least one tornado in Des Moines, later formed into a derecho in eastern Iowa and western Illinois, according to the National Weather Service.Why it matters: The metro sidestepped some of the system's worst punches but still suffered significant losses.Zoom in: The DSM tornado was classified as an EF1 and traveled about seven miles.The Merle Hay and Franklin Avenue neighborhoods, Urbandale and Windsor Heights saw the worst of it, WHO-13 reports, including topped trees, downed power lines and building damage.No injuries were reported from the storm but at least one person suffered a leg injury believed to have occurred during cleanup, the DSM Register reports.What's next: Damage assessment continues and recovery efforts are underway, according to Polk County Emergency Management.Affected DSM areas will receive free curbside storm debris collection, city officials announced Tuesday.
We tried the Iowa State Fair's 11 new foods
The Iowa State Fair released 11 of its best new foods in 2024 on Tuesday, which will take visitors on a culinary journey — from a bacon cheeseburger eggroll to a creative spin on AE Dairy chips and dip.The big picture: I got to try the new foods as a member of the local judging panel at the fairgrounds Tuesday.In total, there are 84 new foods at the 2024 fair, but judges narrowed the finalists to three: the Bacon cheeseburger eggroll, lobster corn dog and Iowa Sm'Oak'ed Roll.The ultimate winner will be determined by fairgoers in August. State of play:...
Des Moines warns of malicious apps, bogus QR codes
Des Moines drivers should be alert to parking scam pages, city traffic engineer John Davis tells Axios.Why it matters: The sites can steal credit card or personal information and siphon parking fees, Better Business Bureau (BBB) warned earlier this year.Catch up fast: DSM modernized its downtown parking system with kiosks in 2022.Contactless payment can be made via an app, scanning a QR code or via text.Yes, but: The change has created the opportunity for scammers to affix imposter QR codes on parking meters, directing users to imitation payment sites, per BBB.Multiple cities in Texas recently warned residents that fraudulent websites...
Des Moines' iconic Riccelli's restaurant could be demolished
The former site of Riccelli's Italian Restaurant would be demolished to make room for two new buildings under a proposal before the Des Moines Plan & Zoning Commission Thursday.Why it matters: The news means a prominent spot along Indianola Avenue could see new life after years of vacancy.Catch up fast: The iconic restaurant, started in the 1960s by the son of Italian immigrants, closed in 2020 during the pandemic.The Riccelli family recently agreed to sell the location, but that sale hasn't closed yet.State of play: Lillian Riccelli made the rezoning request, but the family didn't realize the prospective buyers' plans...
Des Moines' new skyline art dedicated to former school board member
New permanent art was recently added to the top of Mainframe Studios.Zoom in: "Inhale…. Exhale.…" is being dedicated to Teree Caldwell-Johnson, a longtime Des Moines school board member and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood who died earlier this year.It lights up in a rhythm similar to breaths to amplify a message of resiliency and to maintain calm in the face of adversity, according to a press release.What next: A sunset dedication ceremony will be at Oakridge, Aug. 2 at 8:15pm.1401 Center Street, in the parking lot of building #301. The late Teree Caldwell-Johnson was a Polk County manager and chairperson of the DSM School Board. Photo: Phil Roeder, courtesy of Des Moines Public Schools
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Axios Des Moines, anchored by Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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