FROM KCCI: Suspicious package interrupts prayer vigil for Afghan refugees in Des Moines. A rally advocating for the reinstatement of temporary protected status for Afghan refugees encountered an unexpected challenge due to a suspicious package investigation right outside the Neal Smith Federal Building in downtown Des Moines on Wednesday. An unidentified man at the rally left a package on a nearby ledge, leading to the involvement of K-9 crews, the bomb squad and local police officers. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: DMPS selling student-run radio station KDPS 88.1 FM. KDPS 88.1 FM radio has been on the air for more than 60 years with Des Moines Public Schools, but this week, it comes to an end as we currently know it. DMPS has begun the sale process for the student-run radio station at the Central Campus. Thursday is the last day for DMPS, which also means 88.1 FM will go dark at 3 p.m. on June 5. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Motorcyclist killed in fatal crash, investigation underway. The Des Moines Police Department is investigating a fatal crash that killed a motorcyclist on the city's southside Wednesday evening. Authorities responded to the intersection of SW 9th Street and Luster Lane around 6:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a crash involving a motorcycle and car. Officials said a motorcyclist was found dead at the scene. In the collision, the driver of the car sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was later transported to a local hospital for further care. The car's two other passengers were not injured. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

A spotty shower is a small possibility today into Saturday as temperatures stay mild. Warming next week.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

Shows opening this week

Des Moines Performing Arts. “Hamilton.” Through June 15.

Class Act Productions (CAP Theatre). “Once Upon a Mattress – Youth Edition.” June 6-22.

Ankeny Community Theatre. “A Streetcar Named Desire.” June 6-15. 

Iowa Stage Theatre Company. “Torch Song.” June 6-15.

AUDITIONS - Ankeny Community Theatre. “A Perfect Rendezvous: The Musical.” June 8 and 9, 6:30 p.m. 

About Time Theatre Company – at The Haunt Speakeasy. “Squeamish.” Through June 6-7. 

Very Special First Friday at Mainframe Studios
Friday, June 6 holds a special significance as KFMG radio and many affiliates will energize this First Friday as never before. Anchored by Mainframe Studio’s Central Iowa Blues Society, this evening will be filled with music and much, much more.
 
2025 Music Under the Stars begins Sunday, June 8
The 2025 Music Under the Stars season begins June 8 with Pirate Songs and Love Songs, featuring Will Baker, bass trombone and Marisa Cravero, guest vocalist at the EMC Plaza Stage at Hoyt Sherman Place

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

Noodle news
Korean ramen has eclipsed Japanese ramen in U.S. sales. The difference is heat, as in chilies. Social media challenges and K Pop music are heavily involved. Japanese food is subtler than Korean — Japanese slang for Koreans translates to “garlic eaters.” It’s not a compliment. (WSJ) 

Coffee politics. The South Korean presidential election was influenced by coffee talk. Victorious liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung saw his poll numbers plunge after saying “Cafés sell a cup of coffee for $6 while the cost of the beans to make that cup cost eight cents.” He was lambasted for being out of touch with the cost of running small businesses, aka capitalism. He had to walk his comment back after his poll numbers dropped 10 points as conservatives used it to suggest he was a communist sympathizer. What looked like a runaway ended up being a closer election. Lee admires North Korea and China and wants to cut many ties with the U.S. (NHK-Tokyo)

Deals today
• Cheese Bar (2925 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) hosts a Cinco de Juno six-course Mexican dinner Thursday. Duck egg chilaquiles, tuna tostadas, queso fundido, three kinds of tacos, pozole and fried ice cream with cocktail pairings for $95. Call 515-277-7828 to reserve.

• Ruth's Chris (Ashworth Road at Jordan Creek Parkway) has a Thursday special with their decadent RBAR burgers going for $16. 

•  Steak specials: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola), and Hy-Vee Market Grilles. Gilroy's has both sirloin and NY strip specials. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave.) has a ribeye special on Thursdays. 

• Thursday nights, Moroccan couscous — lemon chicken, beef keftas, five vegetables, harissa — are $17 at Purveyor (505 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines).

• Sprockets (2314 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a breaded pork tenderloin special on Thursdays for $9.99. 

• Kids eat free at Scornovacca’s (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays

• Mariscos El Pirata (6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) offers $2 off all sushi on Thursdays 

• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.  

• Jethro's Thursday special is a pound of boneless "wings" for $8. 

• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.   

• Amruth Indian Grill (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) offers an all-you-can-eat dosa (gram/rice flour crepes) buffet on Thursdays 5:30-9 p.m. for $18.95.  

• Destination Grille  (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a "Comfort Thursday" special chicken fried De Burgo, a gluten-free spin on DSM's classic for $16.

• The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.  

• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) has $7 loaded fries on Thursdays. 

• Haiku (1350 31st St., Des Moines) offers free tom yum soup and edamames with lunch entrees today.

• Aldi is selling red grapes for $1.29/pound, baby bellas for $1.29/8-ounce box and cantaloupe for $1.99 each through Tuesday.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1968: Robert F. Kennedy is fatally shot. Shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California presidential primary. Immediately after he announced to his cheering supporters that the country was ready to end its fractious divisions, Kennedy was shot several times by 24-year-old Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan. He was pronounced dead a day later, on June 6, 1968.  ... READ MORE

2004: Former U.S. president Ronald Reagan dies. On June 5, 2004, Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, dies after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Reagan, who was also a well-known actor and served as governor of California, was a popular president known for restoring American confidence after the problems of the 1970s. ... READ MORE

1888: President Cleveland denies widow her husband’s military pension. On June 5, 1888, President Grover Cleveland vetoes a bill that would have given a pension to war widow Johanna Loewinger, whose husband died 14 years after being discharged from the army. Mr. Loewinger served in the Civil War, enlisting on June 28, 1861. He was discharged a little less than a year later for what the army surgeon’s certificate called chronic diarrhea. He received his pension until his death in 1876. After his death, his widow, Johanna, applied for a widow’s pension, but was denied since her husband died from suicide by cutting his throat with a razor and not from any long-term disability caused by his military service. Johanna claimed her husband had suffered from insanity triggered by his military service and felt entitled to the benefits.... READ MORE

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