Latest news with #Midwest
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
20,000 people to watch Red Bull Soapbox Race in Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa — Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the Red Bull Soapbox Races in downtown Des Moines on Saturday. There are 50 teams competing for trophies which will be awarded to the top three finishers. Contestants can also win awards for people's choice, a cart theme award gifted by Casey's, and longest jump. Each team designed their own non-motorized cart that will race down a custom course which consists of turns, jumps, and obstacles. The carts travel at speeds of 25 to 30 miles per hour on average. Apart from being judged for course navigation and race time, a team of judges will also critique each team's creativity and card design, and the showmanship of a 30-second skit the group performs. The last time Des Moines hosted this event was in 2022, where over 25,000 people attended. One of the teams this year is the Eager Beavers Shreddin' Ash, a local team from Central Iowa. Their character names are Bucky, Chief Chipper, and Twiggy Smalls. In 2022, they competed in the race, but their props got in the way. As a result, this year they say they made their design simpler. However, to spectators, their design is anything but 'simple.' They have a two-piece truck and woodchipper concept that they will be driving in reverse down the course. Their cart also chips wood, leaving behind a trail of woodchips. Starting at 10 a.m., the pit lane will open for families to get a closer look at each of the carts. The Eager Beavers have an axe-throwing game and will give out woodchips and stickers to attendees. For the Eager Beavers' 30-second skit, the judges will critique their axe juggling skills. If spectators don't see this team coming, they might just be able to hear them yell, 'Timber!' Another team competing this year is the Revenge Against the Corn. This year, they are seeking redemption from their first experience in 2022, where they crashed close to the start line. Their cart in 2022 was a corn bobsled, so this year's design is a combine. Their ultimate goal is to get to the finish line this year. Even though they crashed in 2022, they didn't leave empty-handed. Their team won the 'It's Not Crazy It's Casey's' cart theme integration award for having a cart theme rooted in Iowa representation. Other teams are racing for the first time, including the Mystery Machine that was inspired by Scooby Doo. The team consists of five DMACC students studying engineering. The group is part of the college's STEM club and are applying skills they learned in school to this race. Landon Toom said, 'This has been an awesome opportunity for us to learn and grow.' The race begins at noon right next to the Iowa State Capitol and it is free to attend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jamie Smith enters Sioux Falls mayoral race with downtown speech
State Sen. Jamie Smith officially launched his campaign to be mayor of Sioux Falls in a May 31 speech on the front lawn of the Washington Pavilion, telling a crowd of friends, family and supporters that he would "always be available to you" if elected to the role. After introductions from people, including downtown business owner Michael Haskett and Smith's wife Kjerstin, Smith himself took the stage and gave a short speech in which he said how the city approaches things like development and the rule of law will be determined by its next mayor. 'Government can be a force for good when it is powered by the people that it serves," Smith said. He emphasized an interest in meeting with voters and hearing their ideas, adding, "Our city is best when we collaborate and when we communicate." Speaking with media following his speech, Smith said he learned a lot from his 2022 gubernatorial race against former Gov. Kristi Noem, including the importance of making others feel seen and heard, even if there isn't full agreement on an issue. Smith's campaign website cites families, development and safety as the three main parts of his platform, specifically pointing to the ongoing property tax cap issue as evidence that "the next mayor will need a strong relationship with the state legislature to keep South Dakota's largest city budget balanced." While Smith said he'd certainly have done some things differently as mayor during the last eight years, he said he didn't have anything he wanted to criticize about Mayor Paul TenHaken. Instead, he's focusing on looking forward to what his own administration would look like. Smith, one of the few elected Democrats in South Dakota's government, said he liked the idea that the mayoral position is non-partisan, something he said encourages people to think solely of who they feel will best do the job. More: People to Watch: Who could run for Sioux Falls' next mayor? He acknowledged that it was "a little weird" to be announcing a run for mayor without yet knowing the date of the election, following the signing of a bill in the state legislature that will see municipal elections set alongside either the June primaries or November general elections. However, he said that he'd be happy whether the Sioux Falls City Council chooses June 2 or Nov. 3 in 2026. Smith, who filed with the city to run for the position May 30, is now the second candidate in the race following David Zokaites' April announcement that he will make a third try for the office. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Jamie Smith enters Sioux Falls mayoral race with downtown speech
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
One of the 10 best summer tourism destinations in the U.S. is in Minnesota
One of the 10 best summer tourism destinations in the U.S. is in Minnesota originally appeared on Bring Me The News. With the summer travel season underway, Minnesota has been named home to one of the nation's best summer travel destinations. USA Today's 10Best has compiled a list of the best spots around the U.S. for summer travelers, and Minneapolis made the cut. The publication touts Minneapolis' combination of outdoor activities and cultural experiences as a reason to visit, highlighting its urban bike trails and water activities on the city lakes, as well as attractions like the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which now comes with frozen yogurt. We'd be remiss not to throw in the heaps of outdoor art fairs, an impressive array of theater, and iconic concert venues. It'll certainly be received as good news by businesses that rely on tourism, as there has been an 18% decline in border crossings from Canada, WCCO reports. That's led to fear that President Donald Trump's vitriolic language toward Canada — including tariff threats and the phrase "51st state" — may precipitate a decline in tourism from Canadian travelers. Here's the complete list of the best summer travel destinations around the U.S., according to USA Today's 10Best. Mackinac Island, Mich. Ocean City, N.J. Catalina Island, Calif. Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Philadelphia, Pa. Tybee Island, Ga. Block Island, R.I. Minneapolis, Minn. Cody, Wyo. Amelia Island, story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
These Kentucky Republicans attempt an unlikely bulwark to Trump
It is one of the most politically conservative states, yet Kentucky has become an unlikely stronghold for Republicans who oppose President Donald Trump's policy agenda. Rep. Thomas Massie (R) served as the most vociferous GOP critic of the massive tax-and-border bill that passed the House on May 22 by a single vote, the latest in a string of votes against Trump's wishes.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Indiana Fever injury woes continue, drop contest minus Caitlin Clark
The Indiana Fever's injury woes and lackluster play continued on Friday night minus superstar Caitlin Clark. With Clark still sidelined with a left quadriceps strain, the Fever fell again on Friday night versus the previously winless Connecticut Sun, 85-83. Indiana is now 0-2 in games minus Clark. The Fever have also now dropped three straight as its record slipped to 2-4 on the season. Advertisement Adding to the frustration are two more injuries to Indiana guards. Fever guard Sydney Colson, Clark's backup, suffered a left leg injury in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Then, Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham exited in the fourth quarter after sustaining what appeared to be a right ankle injury. Cunningham missed the first two games of Indiana's season with a right ankle injury. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White didn't have an immediate update on Colson or Cunningham's injury statuses following the game. But, coach White discussed how those injuries impacted things for the Fever on Friday night. Advertisement "It was kind of like a gut punch," White said. "It affected us in the second quarter, no doubt, not having another primary ballhandler, and we (had to) take Sophie out of what she does naturally really well when she has to become a ballhandler. "But the reality is, this stuff happens. We've seen it time and time again in our league. We can't take two and a half quarters to figure it out. But I was proud of our fight in the fourth quarter after Sophie went down." Indiana rallied from a 15-point deficit to take the lead twice in the game's final three-and-a-half minutes. But, Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell's off-balance, potential game-tying jumper missed on the Fever's final possession. Mitchell finished 4-of-15 shooting and 0-of-4 from 3-point range with 13 points. With the loss, Indiana has now dropped games by margins of one, two, six and two points. Advertisement Fever forward Aliyah Boston shot 8-of-10 from the floor and finished with 17 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Indiana forward DeWanna Bonner also scored 13 points and knocked down a trio of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Indiana returns to action on Tuesday, June 3 against the Washington Mystics (3-4) from inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Fever then travel to the Chicago Sky on June 7 before Clark is reevaluated on June 9 before a June 10 date at Atlanta. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Indiana Fever injury woes continue, drop contest minus Caitlin Clark
