Welcome to the Daily Umbrella podcast for Tuesday, July 21. We bring you the stories you need to know to start your day. Let's begin with our top local story. …

Strong storms rolled through central Iowa Monday evening, leaving behind flooded streets, stranded motorists, downed trees and scattered power outages. Des Moines police responded to numerous reports of flooded roadways, vehicles trapped in high water, and trees and power lines blocking streets. If you're heading out this morning, be alert for lingering road closures and cleanup crews. …

In southern Iowa, another historic building has suffered major damage. One year after a devastating fire destroyed a landmark on Albia's town square, part of the historic Skean's Block building collapsed, forcing additional road closures as officials assess the structure. …

In business news, the Des Moines-based Krause Group is expanding its international sports portfolio. The company announced plans to acquire a majority stake in Casa Pia AC, a historic soccer club in Portugal's top professional league. Once approved, the club will join the group's growing collection that already includes Italy's Parma Calcio and Iowa's own Des Moines Menace. …

Around Iowa, the Palo City Council approved a data center ordinance despite vocal opposition from residents who wanted stronger protections. The vote could help pave the way for a future Google data center project. …

Turning to today's weather, after yesterday's storms, Mother Nature is giving us a much-needed break. Expect sunshine, breezy conditions and a high of 84 degrees, with comfortable humidity. Even better, the forecast looks pleasant through midweek. …

If you're looking for the ultimate hamburger bun, food columnist Jim Duncan says George Formaro's new potato brioche buns are about as good as it gets. He calls them the perfect squishy bun that somehow holds together while making oversized burgers much easier to eat. They are available at Gateway Market, and judging by Jim's review, they may disappear from your kitchen as quickly as they did from his. …

And if you're searching for a food bargain today, there are plenty of Tuesday specials around the metro. Johnny's Italian Steakhouse features beef tips Stroganoff for $14, including a beverage before 4 p.m. Pelican Post is serving a smashburger, fries and a draft beer for $12. Kelly's Little Nipper has a pork tenderloin basket with a drink for $11.50, and many local restaurants are celebrating Taco Tuesday with discounted tacos all day long. …

If classic cars are more your speed than classic burgers, don't miss the latest issue of CITYVIEW magazine. Jackie Wilson explores why vintage automobiles continue to capture attention decades after they first rolled off the assembly line. While today's SUVs often blend together, classic cars still stand out with distinctive styling, chrome accents and unmistakable personality. …

Looking back in history, today marks the anniversary of the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861, the first major land battle of the Civil War. It is also the anniversary of the release of the final Harry Potter book in 2007 and the conclusion of NASA's final space shuttle mission in 2011. …

We'll wrap up with today's riddle. Yesterday's answer: What do vegetarians call an occasion for burping? A Tupperware party! And today's question is: Which car brand does a vegetarian from Germany drive? Think you know the answer? Send your guess to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com before noon today for a chance to be featured. And be sure to subscribe to our full email version of The Daily Umbrella for free at www.TheDailyUmbrella.com.

Hello, everyone, and welcome to your Daily Umbrella podcast for July 20, 2026. We bring you the stories you need to know to start your Monday. …

Let's begin with a thought from publisher Shane Goodman, who admits that patience is something he's still trying to master. He jokes that he taps his foot waiting for the microwave to finish, assumes the internet has collapsed if a webpage takes more than three seconds to load, and somehow always picks the slowest checkout line at the grocery store. His conclusion? Patience isn't about enjoying the wait. It's about recognizing that the best things in life — friendships, gardens and great barbecue — simply take time. A fitting reminder as we kick off another busy week. …

Now to today's headlines. Forecasters say Monday will be the hottest day of the current stretch, with heat index values climbing between 100 and 105 degrees. There's also the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening, so be sure to stay weather aware if you have outdoor plans. …

In Polk County, authorities recovered a victim Sunday from a vehicle submerged in a retention pond near Hubbell Avenue. According to investigators, a passing motorist reported seeing the vehicle leave the roadway and enter the water. The incident remains under investigation. …

RAGBRAI officially rolls on this week, and organizers say electric bicycles are becoming a larger part of the annual ride. They welcome the growing number of e-bike riders because the technology allows more people — especially older cyclists — to continue participating. At the same time, organizers are reminding everyone that e-bikes are heavier and often faster than traditional bicycles, so extra caution is needed to keep all riders safe. …

Around Iowa, crews continue monitoring a partial building collapse in Albia's historic town square. Officials have closed part of downtown while engineers evaluate the structure, and residents are being asked to avoid the area. …

Let's check today's forecast. Expect a hot Monday with a high around 95 degrees and about a 40 percent chance of storms. Tuesday brings welcome relief with sunshine and highs in the upper 80s, while Wednesday looks even more comfortable, topping out near 82 degrees. …

Now here's what's happening around town. Saigon Day Café has opened in Clive, serving Vietnamese coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches and fresh-baked treats. Johnston has welcomed Zeke's Rooftop, named after one of the community's earliest settlers. And if you're looking ahead to the weekend, don't miss the Corn Bred Cornbread Renaissance on July 25 at Riverview Park. Organizers promise concerts, competitions, exhibits and, naturally, plenty of cornbread. The Des Moines Tea Festival also arrives at Mainframe Studios on July 26. …

Sports fans woke up to plenty of headlines this morning. Spain captured the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a one-to-nothing victory over Argentina in extra time. In golf, Ryan Fox earned his first major championship by winning The Open Championship after an impressive performance at Royal Birkdale. …

Today also marks one of the most memorable anniversaries in American history. On this date in 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon, delivering the famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." …

And before we go, today's Daily Umbrella riddle: What do vegetarians call an occasion for burping? Think you know the answer? Send your guess to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com before noon today for a chance to be featured.

Welcome to the Daily Umbrella Podcast for Friday, July 17. We bring you a quick roundup of today's biggest local headlines, a few stories from around the nation and the world, some weekend food inspiration, and, of course, today's groan-worthy riddle. Let's get started. …

West Des Moines police have arrested a second teenager in connection with the tragic Fourth of July shooting that claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl. The teen now faces a charge of first-degree murder as investigators continue building their case.

In Des Moines, city leaders are looking for creative ways to close a projected $12 million budget gap. Mayor Connie Boesen has reportedly reached out to hospitals, state agencies and a university asking them to voluntarily make payments in lieu of property taxes, commonly known as PILOT payments.

And former Des Moines sports radio personality Marty Tirrell has once again been convicted of fraud. A federal jury found him guilty on multiple wire fraud charges, marking his second fraud conviction in recent years. …

Internationally, the United States has expanded its military campaign against Iran with additional strikes targeting bridges, energy facilities and infrastructure tied to a key port.

Meanwhile, television networks wrestled Thursday night with whether to air President Donald Trump's address live while balancing the public's need for information with concerns over potential misinformation.

Closer to home, Waterloo is hosting its new Con-Quest pop culture convention this weekend, featuring comics, gaming, celebrity guests and hundreds of vendors. …

It is going to be a hot one. Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 93 degrees. Saturday and Sunday won't offer much relief, with highs around 92 both days and only slight chances for rain. If you have outdoor plans this weekend, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks from the heat. …

If you've been wondering what everyone on social media is cooking this summer, the answer is... dirty martini pasta. The viral recipe combines olives, olive brine, vermouth, garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, Parmesan, parsley and, if you're adventurous, blue cheese. It has become one of TikTok's hottest recipes of the summer.

Looking for somewhere to eat this weekend? You'll find everything from prime rib and steak specials to brunch buffets, ramen, wine tastings and even a corn-eating contest. There are plenty of excuses to skip cooking over the next few days. …

This week's edition of CITYVIEW Living highlights the inspiring journey of country-rock artist XOLEX, whose career followed a remarkable recovery from an autoimmune disease. Today she performs throughout the Midwest while sharing both her music and her faith. …

On this day in 1955, Disneyland officially opened in Anaheim, California, forever changing family entertainment. Also on this day in 1975, American and Soviet astronauts met in space during the historic Apollo-Soyuz mission, symbolizing cooperation during the Cold War. …

Before we go, here's today's riddle: How do you kill a vegetarian vampire? Think you know the answer? Send your guess to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com before noon today for a chance to be featured. And be sure to subscribe to our full email version of The Daily Umbrella for free at www.TheDailyUmbrella.com. …

That's your Daily Umbrella Podcast for Friday, July 17. Thanks for listening. Have a safe, cool and enjoyable weekend, and we'll see you next time.

Good morning, and welcome to The Daily Umbrella Podcast for Thursday, July 16. We bring you the stories, headlines and happenings you need to know to start your day. Let's begin. …

Our top local story comes from northern Iowa, where two boys were hospitalized after a vehicle collided with a Union Pacific train near Lakota in Kossuth County. Authorities say a 16-year-old driver and his 12-year-old passenger were traveling on a gravel road when their Chevy Impala struck an eastbound train. Thankfully, a passerby quickly called 911 and has been praised for helping at the scene. Both boys were transported to hospitals with injuries. ...

Good morning, and welcome to the Daily Umbrella podcast for Wednesday, July 15. We bring you a quick roundup of today's headlines, a few interesting discoveries, and, of course, a little humor to get your day started.

Public voices concerns as DM faces budget cuts; plastic packaging news; which direction does a chicken swim?