Axios Des Moines Newsletter

WHO 13 meteorologist Jason Parkin says going public with his Parkinson's diagnosis brought an outpouring of support — and organizers believe it has helped boost an upcoming Iowa fundraiser. Why it matters: The Iowa Optimism Walk on Saturday is tracking ahead of last year in turnout and fundraising as demand for Parkinson's services continues to grow.

Iowa Sen. Art Staed (D-Cedar Rapids) has watched Parkinson's disease change nearly everything about his life, and now he's trying to keep other Iowans from potentially developing it, according to Midwest Newsroom. Why it matters: He introduced a bill this year that would place Iowa in a growing national debate over paraquat, a widely used U.S. herbicide that some studies have linked to an elevated risk of Parkinson's.

People with Parkinson's disease who were exposed to pesticides at work may experience more severe symptoms than those who weren't, according to new research. Why it matters: The findings could sharpen scrutiny of pesticides in Iowa, which has both heavy agricultural pesticide use and thousands of Parkinson's cases.

Slurp up some wonton soup ($8) from Pho 515.

Iowa has largely excluded single-family homes from a historic preservation tax credit program that helped homeowners shoulder the cost of restoring some of the state's oldest houses. Why it matters: Preservationists warn that the change removes a financial incentive to save historic homes, which can be far more expensive to restore than to tear down. Driving the news: A provision of a bill signed by Gov.

A rendering of Heart of America's proposed building across from Des Moines' former City Hall. Illustration: Courtesy of Heart of America via the city of DSM Heart of America Group is advancing a plan announced in June for a $24 million, five-story office building across from the former Des Moines City Hall. Why it matters: The new headquarters would put a prominent but long-vacant East Village site back to use and support hundreds of jobs.

Three northern Iowa farmers are challenging their industry to take greater responsibility for the state's water-quality problems — and say that meaningful progress will require regulation. Why it matters: This challenges major farm groups' and state leaders' longstanding preferences for voluntary conservation. It also adds insider pressure for a tougher approach to water pollution.

The final piece of DART's network overhaul launches Sept. 28, changing how On Demand operates in Ankeny and adding two new zones in Altoona and Clive/Urbandale. Why it matters: It extends the agency's reset beyond traditional bus routes to better address service gaps in suburban communities and give more people access to transit. Context: On Demand is a flexible, app- or phone-booked service currently available only in Ankeny.

Merle Hay Towers. Photo: Google Maps The vacant Merle Hay Tower that could become affordable senior housing has long been the subject of local haunting lore. Driving the news: Developers pitch the $19.5 million housing proposal to state officials Thursday as part of a competition for up to $14 million in federal housing tax credits. Zoom in: Stories include unexplained footsteps, elevators moving on their own and sightings of a ghostly nun carrying an infant.

ER stays at Des Moines-area hospital systems were roughly one to two hours longer than Iowa's statewide median, according to new federal data analyzed by Axios. Why it matters: The data highlights local hospital bottlenecks despite Iowa having some of the nation's shortest emergency stays. By the numbers: Iowa's median was 124 minutes, compared with 162 nationally, during the year ending Sept. 30, 2025, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data.