Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 23rd of August.
Good morning, Des Moines.
🎭 Culture
Photos from Day 10 of the Iowa State Fair showed lively events such as the cinnamon roll challenge, demolition derby, mechanical bull ride and nail driving contest in Des Moines on Aug.
22, while images also captured family-friendly petting sessions at the Snuggles and Cuddles area.
The Iowa State Fair set a record on Friday with 114,256 visitors — officials expect that if Saturday and Sunday reach the daily average of 109,370, the event will surpass the 2024 attendance record.
At the Iowa State Fair, families cuddled with baby animals in an early VIP event – Cuddles and Snuggles Chore Time – at the Paul R.
Knapp Animal Learning Center. The event allowed parents to share agricultural heritage as FFA students provided hands-on education about animal care.
At the Iowa State Fair on Friday, Aug.
21, over two dozen contestants called their best hog sounds in the 100th edition of the contest at Pioneer Hall, with fairgoers scoring calls & deciding that Bill Yount earned his fourth blue ribbon while 8-year-old Ty Kral won the youth division.
Becky Hayden claimed the Iowa State Fair Ladies Nail Driving Contest title yesterday — twenty years after finishing second — as the fun competition continued to draw a lively crowd with women showcasing their skill.
Women competed in the nail driving contest at the Iowa State Fair in Pioneer Hall on Aug.
22, 2026, and Becky Hayden won by being the first to drive 5 nails. The event featured several competitors using six-penny nails (5 drives were needed for victory) and showcased local skill.
On Aug. 21, contestants at the state fair weighed their rabbits in the largest contest, with Aggie weighing 19.1 lbs + earning first place as local competitors showcased their prized pets.
🏛️ Government
On Aug. 22, 2026, Libertarian candidate Jacob Heard spoke at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair (he said voting Libertarian is not a wasted vote).
🏈 Sports
On Aug. 22, Iowa's lineworkers competed in the annual Lineman Rodeo at the State Fair’s Elwell Family Park, showcasing timed climbing and rescue tasks.
MidAmerican Energy won the overall title while Alliant Energy swept individual events as nearly 40 competitors demonstrated their skills before hundreds.
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