The Daily Umbrella Podcasts

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Good morning, central Iowa! It is Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, and this is The Daily Umbrella Podcast. Grab your coffee, get comfortable and let us get you caught up. …Two suspects are in custody after an alleged illegal firearm sale went bad near the Walmart in Altoona on Thursday. According to the Altoona Police Department, officers were dispatched shortly after 2 p.m. to the Interstate 80 westbound ramp at Hubbell Avenue following a report of shots fired between two vehicles. Witnesses reportedly told police that one vehicle fled the scene. The incident led to a pursuit. …President Donald Trump visited Sioux City to rally support for Republican candidates Ashley Hinson and Zach Lane ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump also addressed issues important to Iowa's agricultural community. During the rally, he announced plans to boost diesel production and reiterated his intention to pass legislation allowing year-round sales of E15 ethanol. The visit puts agriculture and energy policy back in the spotlight as Iowa voters head toward the midterm elections. …An Iowa father from Grimes is appealing his 55-year prison sentence in the death of his 2-month-old daughter. Dylan James Brown was sentenced Oct. 9 for crimes connected to the baby's beating death last summer. He must serve at least 35 years before becoming eligible to appear before the parole board. His appeal is headed to the Iowa Supreme Court. …And in Decatur County, a Des Moines man died after crashing a nearly 100-year-old car. The Iowa State Patrol says 74-year-old Robert Stuart Fogle was driving a 1928 Ford Model A west on Popcorn Road near 10th Street on Wednesday afternoon when he lost control. The car entered a ditch and struck a concrete culvert. Fogle died at the scene. …And now, the weather forecast. It looks like a beautiful late-October day across central Iowa. Expect some clouds moving in, with a high of 77 degrees and a low of 57. The chance of rain today is zero percent, so you can leave the umbrella by the door. Saturday stays warm and breezy, with a high of 76 and a low of 56. Sunday brings a slight cooling trend, with a high of 74, a low of 53 and a 20% chance of rain. Seasonal allergy sufferers, take note. Today's allergy level is 3, in the low-to-medium range, with ragweed identified as the top allergen. …On this date in 1850, the first National Women's Rights Convention began in Worcester, Massachusetts, bringing together advocates for women's rights. In 1958, Russian author Boris Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for his novel “Doctor Zhivago.” The book was banned in the Soviet Union, and the government forced him to renounce the honor. And in 1993, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Joe Carter hit a dramatic ninth-inning home run to win the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. It remains one of baseball's most memorable championship moments. …In sports, the Chicago Bears pulled out a 30-24 victory over the New England Patriots on Thursday night. Kicker Cairo Santos redeemed himself after a missed field goal by connecting on a career-long 58-yarder to seal the win. In NBA action, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Houston Rockets, 96-84, in their home opener. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points, ending his NBA-record streak of 141 consecutive games with at least 20 points. …Before we go, here is today's morning chuckle: What happened when the phone was dropped in the bath? Think you know the answer? Email your guess to [email protected] before noon today for a chance to be featured in the next edition. And be sure to subscribe to our full email version of The Daily Umbrella for free at www.TheDailyUmbrella.com.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Good morning, central Iowa! It is Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Thank you for starting your day with The Daily Umbrella Podcast. Let’s get started. …The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating two separate manure spills in the state. The larger incident happened Tuesday afternoon near Lake Wapello State Park in Davis County, where a semi hauling manure overturned on Eagle Boulevard. The DNR estimates that between 6,000 and 6,500 gallons of manure spilled into a ditch near the park’s entrance. A separate incident involved several hundred gallons of manure spilled in Crawford County. The DNR is investigating both incidents. …Two more Central Iowa communities are establishing rules for electric bikes and scooters. West Des Moines and Windsor Heights approved ordinances Monday addressing the use of motorized devices on sidewalks, trails and streets. The regulations reflect growing efforts by metro communities to clarify where and how these devices can be used. …In Des Moines, a motorcyclist was critically injured Wednesday night in a crash with a vehicle on East University Avenue near East 25th Street. Police and fire crews responded shortly before 8:30 p.m. The motorcyclist was taken to an area hospital. A preliminary investigation indicates the motorcycle was traveling west on East University Avenue when it collided with a vehicle in traffic. …Iran says seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged overnight in the Strait of Hormuz, either after being struck by Iran or hitting naval mines. The reported incidents come amid growing concerns about renewed conflict and the potential impact on global energy prices. …And in a major legal development, a New Mexico judge has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to pay $25 billion after a jury found the company liable for deceiving users about privacy on the social media platform. The ruling represents an enormous financial penalty for the technology company. …Here’s your central Iowa weather forecast. Thursday looks beautiful, with mostly sunny skies and a high of 78 degrees. The low tonight will be around 53, and there is no rain in the forecast. Friday stays warm and breezy, with a high of 77 and a low of 58. Saturday will also reach 77 degrees, but expect breezier conditions and a cool-off ahead, with a 20% chance of rain. The low Saturday night will be around 57. For allergy sufferers, today’s report puts the allergy level in the low-medium range, with a rating of 3. Ragweed is the top allergen. …A quick look at this day in history. On Oct. 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation about the Cuban missile crisis. U.S. spy planes had discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba, raising fears that American cities could be within striking distance. Three years later, in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Highway Beautification Act, aimed at limiting billboards and other unsightly developments along the nation’s interstate highways. …And now, the morning chuckle. Yesterday’s question was: Who hides in the bathroom at parties? The answer? “Party poopers!” … Today’s riddle is this: Why did the burglar steal a bath? Think you know the answer? Email your guess to [email protected] before noon today for a chance to be featured in the next edition. 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 for Thursday, Oct. 22. Have a great Thursday!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Good morning, Des Moines! It’s Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, and this is your Daily Umbrella Podcast. Let’s get started. …The troubled Ignite Johnston sports complex project has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Ignite Johnston LLC announced it voluntarily filed for reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Iowa. The filing follows months of lawsuits and controversy surrounding the long-delayed development, spearheaded by brothers Chad and Brian O’Meara. …Des Moines Water Works’ Board of Trustees has approved a water rate increase for most customers. The decision came Tuesday as the utility works to recover the full cost of providing water. Some communities face larger increases because of high infrastructure costs, smaller customer bases and other financial factors. …A report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says Iowa’s nitrate drinking water violations doubled in 2025 compared with the previous year. The issue comes amid political disputes over water pollution, with gubernatorial campaigns criticizing one another’s connections to the problem. The report highlights a continuing challenge for Iowa communities and water quality. …Crews have begun work on a $164 million flyover bridge at the Southwest Mixmaster. The project marks the first major design and construction change in the area in more than 60 years. The bridge will replace the existing cloverleaf ramp carrying southbound Interstate 35/80 traffic to eastbound Interstate 235. …Around the state, a Cedar Rapids man who led police on a chase onto the Coe College campus in January has been sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison. Dondre Minor, 30, received a 111-month sentence after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. …Nationally, officials in Buffalo, New York, are testing whether large battery systems can safely power residential buildings. The system stores excess energy when electricity is plentiful and uses it when the power grid is strained and electricity costs more. …In sports, the Oklahoma City Thunder opened their season with a win over the San Antonio Spurs in a physical matchup. Teammates rallied around Chet Holmgren after an early second-quarter collision. In baseball, the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays will meet in the World Series. Either team will earn its first championship in franchise history. Meanwhile, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is out indefinitely with a right arm injury. …On this day in history, on Oct. 21, 1959, New York City’s Guggenheim Museum opened its doors. The distinctive white building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, became one of the world’s best-known museums of modern art. On this date in 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on the set of the Western film “Rust” in an incident involving a prop gun containing live ammunition. …Here’s your central Iowa forecast. Today will be mostly sunny, with a high of 73 and a low of 51. There is no chance of rain in the forecast. Thursday looks sunny, with a high of 74 and a low of 53. Friday will bring some clouds, with a high of 73 and a low of 57. The rain chance remains at zero through Friday. …And finally, your morning chuckle Yesterday’s riddle asked: Why can’t I keep my pet dolphin in the bathtub? The answer: It doesn’t serve the porpoise. … Today’s question: Who hides in the bathroom at parties? Think you know the answer? Email your guess to [email protected] before noon today for a chance to be featured in the next edition. And be sure to subscribe to our full email version of The Daily Umbrella for free at www.TheDailyUmbrella.com.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Good morning, Des Moines! It is Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. Thank you for starting your day with The Daily UmbrellaPodcast, your morning briefing from Big Green Umbrella Media. Here is what is happening across Iowa and beyond, plus your weather, sports, history and a little morning humor. …Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that her husband, Kevin Reynolds, has experienced a recurrence of cancer after three years in remission. He is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor. The governor said her family has been blessed with an excellent medical team since Kevin was first diagnosed in September 2023. She added that the family is grateful to have that team by its side as treatment moves into its next phase. …Winter weather is already making headlines, even though we are still enjoying fall temperatures. A weather report from WHO-TV says this year's strong El Niño could bring a warmer but snowier winter to central Iowa. El Niño occurs when trade winds weaken over the equatorial Pacific, allowing warmer water to collect in the eastern Pacific. These changes can influence weather patterns around the world. …In Des Moines, city officials are postponing discussions about how to address a projected budget shortfall in fiscal 2029. Officials want to see what happens at the Iowa Capitol next spring before deciding how to approach potential cuts and other changes. …In Waterloo, police are asking residents and businesses for surveillance video to help investigate a fatal weekend shooting. Detectives are seeking footage from central Waterloo between 9:50 p.m. and midnight Saturday. Anyone with information can email [email protected] or call 319-291-4340, option three. …And in international news, voters in Alberta overwhelmingly rejected a move toward independence from Canada, giving Prime Minister Mark Carney a boost in his push for national unity. …Now, to the weather. Mostly sunny skies are in the forecast for central Iowa today, with a high of 70 degrees and a low of 49. The chance of rain is zero. Wednesday looks mostly sunny, with a high of 72 and a low of 51. Thursday should bring more sunshine, with a high of 73 and a low of 53. For allergy sufferers, In sports, the Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the World Series after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. In the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers improved to 6-0 after holding off a late rally by the Washington Commanders, winning 23-17. And in the WNBA Finals, Angel Reese delivered a historic performance to help the Atlanta Dream earn their first win of the series against the Valkyries. …On this day in history, Oct. 20, 1803, the U.S. Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase treaty with France, paving the way for the United States to double its territory. In 1962, “Monster Mash” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it a Halloween classic. And on this date in 1973, Queen Elizabeth II dedicated the Sydney Opera House in Australia after 15 years of construction. …Yesterday's morning chuckle asked what musical instrument you might find in the bathroom. Among the answers: Tuba toothpaste! Today's question: Why can't I keep my pet dolphin in the bathtub? Think you know the answer? Email your guess to [email protected] before noon today for a chance to be featured in the next edition. And be sure to subscribe to our full email version of The Daily Umbrella for free at www.TheDailyUmbrella.com.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Good morning, Des Moines! It is Monday, Oct. 19, and this is The Daily Umbrella Podcast, your five-minute weekday morning briefing from Big Green Umbrella Media. Here is what is happening around central Iowa and beyond, along with your weather, sports and a little Monday morning humor. Let's get started. …Polk County voters have opportunities to cast their ballots early ahead of Election Day. Satellite voting locations are available throughout the county, with schedules varying by site. Check the Polk County election information or local news coverage for locations and hours before heading out. …A community-led effort to help Carlisle businesses recover from the city's recent water emergency has raised $30,000 in just one week. The emergency began after two water mains broke, leaving the city without water for days. Some businesses had to close temporarily or reduce operations, resulting in lost revenue, spoiled inventory and continuing expenses. The fundraising effort is providing a helping hand as local businesses work to recover. …Des Moines police are investigating reported vandalism involving Metronet fiber-optic lines that affected thousands of customers and delayed the start of classes at 16 Des Moines Public Schools on Friday. The district said transportation was delayed two hours, although breakfast and lunch were still served. Metronet reported that restoration efforts had been completed Saturday morning, but some customers could still experience problems. …A Sac County deputy's patrol car was struck Saturday while parked behind a vehicle-deer accident on Highway 20. Authorities are reminding motorists to slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles. …And in international news, four Canadian service members were killed and 39 people were injured, including 19 critically, when a fast-moving grass fire overtook soldiers conducting live-fire training at a military base in Alberta. Officials said shifting winds sent flames racing toward the soldiers. …Here is your central Iowa forecast. Expect mostly sunny skies today, with a high of 66 degrees and an overnight low of 44. The chance of rain is zero percent. Tuesday looks mostly sunny, with a high of 69 and a low of 50. Wednesday will be sunny, with a high of 71 and a low of 53. The rain chance remains at zero percent each day. …In sports, the Pittsburgh Steelers rallied from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit Sunday to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 26-19, in overtime. Aaron Rodgers threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, tying Peyton Manning for third on the NFL's all-time career passing touchdown list with 539. Only Drew Brees and Tom Brady have thrown more. In baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians, 3-1, on Sunday to take a three-games-to-two lead in the American League Championship Series. Game 6 is scheduled for tonight. Meanwhile, Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during practice Sunday and will undergo surgery. …On Oct. 19, 1985, the first Blockbuster video-rental store opened in Dallas, Texas. It featured about 8,000 videotapes and a computerized checkout system. For those of us who remember browsing the shelves on a Friday night, that was a pretty big deal. Blockbuster eventually became a video-rental giant before filing for bankruptcy in 2010. Also on this date in 1987, the stock market suffered what became known as Black Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 22.6% in a single day. …Today's morning chuckle: What musical instrument is found in the bathroom? Think you know the answer? Email your guess to [email protected] before noon today for a chance to be featured in the next edition.