205K Iowans Have Already Cast Their Ballots, Early Voting Closes In 1 Week
(Des Moines, IA) — Early voting will close in one week in Iowa. So far, more than 205-thousand Iowans have voted through early in-person voting or returning their mail-in ballots. That’s about nine-percent of the two-point-one-million registered voters in the state. Early in-person voting will be available statewide Monday through Friday until November 2. Absentee ballots must be received by your county auditor before 8 p.m. on midterm election day, November 3.
Report: Tourism Adds $11.3 Billion to Iowa’s Economy in 2025
(Des Moines, IA) — Tourism continues to be a multi-billion dollar industry in Iowa. Iowa saw a record-setting number of tourists visiting the state last year, along with a eleven-point-three-billion-dollar boost to the state’s economy. Newly released numbers from the Iowa Tourism Office show the tourism industry supported more than 72 thousand jobs in Iowa in 2025, or roughly 5-and-a-half percent of the state’s overall workforce. The Iowa Tourism Office says that momentum is carrying over into this year, with both hotel revenue and short-term-rental stays increasing this year compared to the same time last year.
1 Injured, 4 Arrested After Weekend Shooting In Downtown Des Moines
(Des Moines, IA) — One person is injured and four are facing charges after a shooting in downtown Des Moines this weekend. Police say they saw people fighting on 4th and Court just before midnight Saturday, and heard gunfire as they approached. The 17-year-old boy accused of opening fire was detained, along with a 15-year-old boy police say was also armed. Des Moines Police say an officer fired at a different armed suspect, who was taken into custody with another man who didn’t have a gun. The initial gunfire injured one man, who was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. No one was injured by the officer’s gunfire. An investigation is ongoing.
Grimes City Council To Vote On Data Center Regulations Tomorrow
(Grimes, IA) — A Des Moines metro city wants to regulate data centers before one moves to town. The Grimes City Council is set to vote on a resolution that includes requiring data centers to pay for excess water and electricity. It would also ban tax incentives and restrict noise and light pollution. The city says the safeguards ensure the public is protected in the event a data center is proposed in Grimes. The Grimes City Council will vote on data center regulations during a meeting tomorrow.
Iowa State University To Start Fundraising For New Beef Teaching And Innovation Farm
(Ames, IA) — Iowa State University is set to start fundraising for a new Beef Teaching and Innovation Farm. The university says the $14-to-18-million-dollar project was approved by the Iowa Board of Regents last month. The university says the current farm is over 60 years old and doesn’t reflect current beef cattle production standards. The new farm will have modernized technology and an education building with classrooms and working facility. The university says the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Farm Credit Services of America have already contributed to the project financially.
