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1 week ago | 
desmoinesregister.com | Kevin Baskins
Albert 'Abbie' Polito, co-founder of the iconic Des Moines restaurant La Pizza House, has died at age 101. The restaurant, known for its unique pizza and lively atmosphere, was a southside Des Moines fixture for decades. Polito's grandson now operates Abbie's in Bondurant, a tribute to his grandfather's legacy. One of the last of Des Moines' original pizza pioneers, Albert “Abbie” Polito was born decades before the first pizzerias began serving pies in the city after World War II.
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2 weeks ago | 
desmoinesregister.com | Kevin Baskins
Regional collaboration and a focus on service-oriented businesses contribute to Des Moines' economic success. Des Moines is the fastest-growing large metro in the Midwest, driven by in-state migration and expanding job sectors. This story is part ofAmerica's Evolving Cities, a USA TODAY Network project that takes a close look at four regions across the country and their unique paths to success — and how residents have benefited or suffered along the way.
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2 weeks ago | 
desmoinesregister.com | Kevin Baskins
John Deere's CP770 Cotton Picker, manufactured in Ankeny, Iowa, won the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest. The contest, sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and MidwestOne Bank, saw over 93,000 votes cast. Other finalists included Butter Braid Pastry, a chocolate pump, and a fireplace grill. Iowans have picked a winner and it is a picker.
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2 weeks ago | 
desmoinesregister.com | Kevin Baskins
Wells Fargo will lay off an additional 35 employees from its Jordan Creek campus in West Des Moines in August. Since April 2022, Wells Fargo has announced layoffs totaling 1,241 workers in the Des Moines area. While the company has not specified which divisions are affected, the bank's home mortgage division has been impacted by higher interest rates and lower demand.
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3 weeks ago | 
desmoinesregister.com | Kevin Baskins
Central Iowa offers numerous fishing opportunities, especially in metro areas with ponds often located in parks. Iowa's Free Fishing Weekend (June 6-8) allows fishing without a license, and some locations host special events. The Iowa Fishing Atlas provides information on pond locations, fish species, and attractors.
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3 weeks ago | 
usatoday.com | Kevin Baskins
Federal policy, particularly the Trump administration's on-again, off-again tariffs, has caused uncertainty in the U.S. and Iowa economy. Austan Goolsbee, president and CEO of the Chicago Federal Reserve, spoke with the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network, on June 3 during a two-day Iowa visit about the impacts of tariffs and the strengths and weaknesses he sees in the current economy, and what he was hearing from Iowans during his time in the state.
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3 weeks ago | 
desmoinesregister.com | Kevin Baskins
Iowa's economy, heavily reliant on manufacturing and agriculture, is significantly impacted by tariff policy uncertainty. Slow population growth in Iowa poses challenges for job creation and business recruitment. Robust job market and solid wage growth are positive economic indicators, but concerns remain about potential trade wars and their impact on supply chains and agricultural incomes.
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3 weeks ago | 
desmoinesregister.com | Kevin Baskins
WalletHub ranked Iowa's economy last among U.S. states, citing weak economic activity and innovation potential. Sluggish farm economy and workforce shortages contribute to Iowa's economic challenges. But Iowa economists criticize the WalletHub ranking's methodology, citing subjective weighting of metrics and a short comparison period. A new ranking of state economies by WalletHub.com says Iowa's financial performance is about as bad as it gets.
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4 weeks ago | 
desmoinesregister.com | Kevin Baskins
Deanna Strable, the new president and CEO of Principal Financial Group, discusses the Principal Charity Classic and the company's future. Strable highlights the tournament's charitable impact, including the Legacy Project aimed at preparing Iowa youth for the workforce. She addresses the changing landscape of financial and insurance jobs in Des Moines and the potential of AI.
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4 weeks ago | 
desmoinesregister.com | Kevin Baskins
The 2025 Principal Charity Classic (PCC) is expected to be more challenging than last year, with tournament chairman Ken McCullum predicting Ernie Els's record-setting 21-under-par score won't be repeated. McCullum aims to surpass last year's $8.6 million raised for charity and attract over 50,000 spectators to the event. The potential participation of Tiger Woods and Zach Johnson in the 2026 PCC is generating excitement.
