FROM KCCI: Authorities confirm two cyclists died while on RAGBRAI route. Two cyclists have died while riding RAGBRAI this year, authorities say. The Iowa State Patrol confirms a cyclist died while on the RAGBRAI route Tuesday in Estherville. The Estherville Emergency Medical Services says it responded to an unconscious rider around 7 a.m. Tuesday. The person was taken to a nearby hospital, where they later died. The person's body was taken to the state medical examiner's office to determine the cause of death. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Ankeny boy born at 21 weeks sets Guinness World Records title for prematurity. An Iowa boy who was born at just 21 weeks is now the Guinness World Records title holder for the most premature baby. Nash Keen, of Ankeny, turned one year old on July 5 as family members celebrated the giggly baby’s milestone, which seemed almost impossible to reach. The path to his birth was a difficult one for parents Randall and Mollie, who lost a previous pregnancy at 18 weeks and feared the same outcome after Mollie began experiencing issues 20 weeks into her pregnancy with Nash. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: West Des Moines to move 2026 July Fourth fireworks display amid animal welfare concerns from local shelter. West Des Moines will move its 2026 Fourth of July fireworks display to Jordan Creek Town Center, the city said in a release. The decision comes as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, and city leaders received complaints regarding the proximity of the fireworks display to a local animal shelter. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Thai and Cambodian forces clash as escalating border dispute leaves at least 11 dead. Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed in several areas along their border Thursday in a major escalation of their conflict that left at least 11 people dead, mostly civilians. The two sides fired small arms, artillery and rockets, and Thailand also called in airstrikes.. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Columbia University agrees to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump to restore federal funding. Columbia University announced Wednesday it has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Iowa City school board restores ‘gender identity’ to non-discrimination policies. The Iowa City school board unanimously voted to restore “gender identity” to a dozen antibullying and harassment policies Tuesday, a reversal of an earlier decision to remove the words to align with a new Iowa law. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Thunderstorms and heavy rains possible this evening. Steamy days ahead.

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

Several new shows opening –
·        Carousel Theatre of Indianola. “Anastasia the Musical.” July 24-Aug. 3.
·        CAP Theatre, Altoona. Cap Classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” July 24-27.
·        Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre. “The Spongebob Musical.” July 25-Aug. 3.
·        Urbandale Community Theatre. “Hello, Dolly!” July 25-Aug. 3.
·        Des Moines Performing Arts. “Parade.” July 29-Aug. 3.

JAZZ IN JULY
Tuesday, July 29 finale at Hoyt Sherman Place:
5:30-7:15 p.m.: “The Trumpethood” outside on EMC Plaza Stage
7:30-9 p.m.: “Motown Jazz” inside on Theater Stage

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

Chinese food? U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that 277,000 acres of American farmland are now owned by Chinese entities. Surprised? Smithfield and Syngenta are Chinese-owned now, too.

Patrón in February drew the ire of Mexico’s Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), the governing body that regulates the production and authenticity of tequila, with Patron's promise of “100% Additive-Free Tequila.” Weeks later the CRT revoked Patrón’s export certificate, preventing cases of its tequila from entering the U.S. for days. The CRT had warned brands last year against using terms like “additive-free,” pointing out that additives can comprise up to 1% of a tequila by weight without having to be disclosed under Mexican law. “Additive-free” terminology confuses consumers, the group said. The whole truth has a way of doing that. (WSJ)

Thursday deals
• Hy-Vee Market Grilles are running a breakfast special Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. of three choices of 2 eggs, 2 strips bacon, 2 sausage links, 2 pancakes or 2 slices toast for $5 through Aug. 3.

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $10 country fried breakfasts and $9 tenderloins or shrimp/fish tacos on Thursdays. 

• Felix & Oscar's is celebrating its 50th anniversary with buffets all July. $18 or two for $30. Kids $10, under 4 free. Monday is a hot sandwiches, salad and fries bar.

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

•  Steaks: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Johnny's Italian Steakhouses (before 4 p.m.), 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., Des Moines) has a ribeye special on Thursdays. Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) offers ribeyes and sirloins only on Thursdays after 5. 

• 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. Because tonight is an Indiana WNBA game night, the West Des Moines Jethro's has a "Fever Reliever" special of any two appetizers on the Happy Hour menu and two pints of domestic beer for $22. 

• 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. $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. $16

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

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

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

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1911: American historian encounters Machu Picchu ruins. On July 24, 1911, American history scholar Hiram Bingham gets his first look at the ruins of Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca settlement in Peru that is now one of the world’s top tourist destinations.. ... READ MORE

1969: Apollo 11 safely returns to Earth. At 12:51 EDT on July 24, 1969, Apollo 11, the U.S. spacecraft that had taken the first astronauts to the surface of the moon, safely returns to Earth. ... READ MORE

2005: Lance Armstrong wins seventh Tour de France. On July 24, 2005, American cyclist Lance Armstrong wins a record-setting seventh consecutive Tour de France and retires from the sport. After Armstrong survived testicular cancer, his rise to cycling greatness inspired cancer patients and fans around the world and significantly boosted his sport’s popularity in the United States. However, in 2012, in a dramatic fall from grace, the onetime global cycling icon was stripped of his seven Tour titles after being charged with the systematic use of performance-enhancing drugs. ... READ MORE

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