Choose your location
Axios Des Moines
Fewer people traveling to Iowa for abortions
Data: Guttmacher Institute; Note: Includes procedural and medication abortions provided at brick-and-mortar health facilities as well as medication abortions via telehealth and virtual providers; Map: Axios VisualsOne in 10 abortion patients in Iowa last year traveled here from out of state, new data estimates from the Guttmacher Institute show.Zoom out: That's down from 2020, two years before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.By the numbers: The majority of out-of-state patients in 2023 traveled to Iowa from Nebraska — around 270 people.Meanwhile, 390 people traveled from Iowa to Minnesota to get the procedure.Between the lines: While abortion remains legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, it became more restrictive in 2022, due to a 24-hour waiting period law.The big picture: The Iowa Supreme Court will likely rule on Friday if Iowa's "fetal heartbeat" law can take effect — a long-awaited decision that will decide if most abortions are banned at nearly six weeks in the state. Today marks the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision, which has changed the political landscape surrounding abortions in Iowa.Related: More than 171,000 people traveled out-of-state for abortions across the U.S. last year
Meet Iowa's trendiest baby names
Data: Social Security Administration; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsAs it turns out, Iowans haven't been conforming to all the national baby name trends over the last decade.The big picture: "Millie," "Maeve," "Theo" and "Dean" have seen the largest increases in popularity in the state since 2013, according to new Social Security Administration data.Americans broadly have been more drawn towards "Atlas," "Nova" and "Thiago.""Theo" is the only top Iowa name that overlaps with the national trends.The (spelling) intrigue: While "Luka" saw an 8.9x increase over the last decade across the country, Iowans opted for "Luca" at a 7.7x increase.Losers: Since 2013, Hawkeye...
New redemption center to open in Ankeny
A new bottle and can redemption center is opening in Ankeny next month.Driving the news: Ankeny Bottle and Can at 1317 SW Ordnance Road will become the latest center to open since the Legislature reformed the bottle bill in 2022.Flashback: That bill overhauled the state's container collection process, which required stores to collect empty cans and bottles and return customer deposits on them.The new law allows grocery stores to retire their collection programs if a redemption center is within a 10- to 15-mile radius.State of play: Ankeny Bottle and Can owners JL Vaughn and Evan Burger opened their first redemption...
Iowa's 24/7 mental health line gets uptick in users
Your Life Iowa, the state's six-year-old 24/7 mental health and addiction resource, saw unprecedented usage last year.Why it matters: It's a free, confidential program that people can call, text, email and use online if they're struggling.Driving the news: The increase shows that a recent push to make Iowans aware of the program is working, says Behavioral Health Division Director Marissa Eyanson. Awareness has been their biggest hurdle, she tells Axios.The state spent around $1.6 million last year on marketing.By the numbers: Staffers answered 47,000+ phone, text, chat and emails in FY23, a 15% increase over FY22.The website had 541,000+ visitors,...
Des Moines trail closures reach "painful" level
Des Moines is undergoing an unusually high number of trail closures and construction this summer, resulting in a "painful" period for outdoor enthusiasts, says city parks planner Colby Fangman.Why it matters: The city's extensive trails link people across the metro, and closures can cause major disruption, especially in the summertime.But they're also necessary to help bring the next generation of smoother, safer trails.State of play: There are several reasons for the "extraordinary" year of construction, Fangman says.Des Moines allocated $1 million in ARPA funding for trails that must be used by 2026.3+ years of drought as well as recent severe...
West Des Moines hosts first-ever Pride event
West Des Moines is holding its first-ever Pride event later this month.Why it matters: While Des Moines is known for its Pride festivities, LGBTQ advocates in the suburbs say they want to highlight support within their own communities too, amid a wave of LGBTQ state legislation.Driving the news: Bing's owner Val Veiock grew up in West Des Moines and is spearheading the family-friendly Pride event at Railroad Park in Valley Junction on Sunday, June 30."As a young person, I would have loved to have a Valley Junction Pride."Zoom in: The free event will include a Pride pet parade, drag storytime,...
Iowans are more likely to get married
Data: Gallup; Chart: Axios VisualsMoney can't buy happiness, the old adage says. But maybe combining it with marriage can help.By the numbers: Around 33% of Iowans 15 and older have been married at least once, which is above the national average, according to Gallup 2022 data.The big picture: Marital status is a stronger predictor of American adult well-being than education, race, age and gender, according to newly released data from the Institute for Family Studies and Gallup.Last year, married adults between 25 and 50 years old were 17 percentage points more likely to be thriving than adults who never married.Household...
Casey's views Texas as "big opportunity" to expand
Casey's — Iowa's iconic gas station company — is eyeing larger horizons as it continues to add new stores, particularly in the Midwest and the South.Why it matters: The publicly traded company is a major employer in Iowa with full-time employees across smaller, rural towns as well as corporate positions at its Ankeny headquarters.Driving the news: CEO Darren Rebelez shared Casey's quarterly earnings on Wednesday and outlined what future growth and bumps are ahead.Our key takeaways:👆 Big growth: Expect Casey's to continue expanding its footprint after growing by 154 stores this last fiscal year.Over the next year, the company plans...
Four Ankeny restaurants close within a week
In Ankeny, four restaurants closed this month. Some broke the news publicly while others quietly closed their doors.Club Car: The restaurant's Clive staff confirmed that the Ankeny location is permanently closed after opening last year.Luddy's Tavern: The German-American restaurant had a short run after opening its doors last year.Tacos & Tequila La Cava Mexican Gastrobar: The restaurant, formerly known as El Charro, closed earlier this month with plans to relocate to Newton, Kansas, it announced on Facebook.Whiskey House: After over seven years in business, the restaurant and live music spot announced it was closing its doors."Despite our best efforts and dedication, we have found ourselves unable to continue operations, and as of now, we are closed for good," the restaurant announced on Facebook.
Axios Des Moines
3K+
Posts
17M+
Views
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.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.