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Monday, July 28, 2025
Good morning to you! 

Have you ever been distracted while driving a vehicle? If you answered no, you are lying. We all have been distracted while driving. If we are being honest, we are likely distracted in some way every time we get behind the wheel. Some distractions, of course, are more serious than others.

According to the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, distracted driving caused more than 10,000 crashes in Iowa in 2024, resulting in injuries and fatalities. That’s part of the reason why our state lawmakers passed, and our governor signed, a hands-free driving law that went into effect July 1.

But what exactly is “distracted driving”? According to the Drive Smart Iowa website, distracted driving includes “any activity that diverts attention from driving, like talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, adjusting the stereo, entertainment or navigation system, reading, grooming and watching videos.”

Specifically, Iowa’s hands-free driving law forbids:

• holding a phone or electronic device in any way.
• manually scrolling, typing, or interacting with a phone or electronic device.
• entering an address into GPS.
• streaming videos or making video calls.
• viewing texts, videos or social media.
• calling, texting or dialing unless doing it hands-free.

But what about applying lipstick while driving? Or smoking a cigarette? Or eating a Big Mac? Or changing stations on your car radio? Or reading a paper map? Aren’t all these activities distractions as well? The answer is yes, but the new state law doesn’t specifically address these concerns, and, maybe, for good reason. After all, where would it end? And I am fairly certain a police officer could find a citation to properly address those concerns if needed.

The new law defines an “electronic device” as cell phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs and gaming controllers. Interestingly, smart watches are not listed.

KCCI reports that more than 1,400 warnings have been issued so far, and fines will start in January of 2026. Violators will then be fined $100 and charged with a simple misdemeanor. More importantly, much higher penalties will apply if the violations result in injury or death.

Clearly, we most all would agree that reducing distractions makes for safer driving for all of us, especially young or inexperienced drivers. So, stow away your phone when driving. And, just for good measure, do the same with your lipstick and cigarettes, too.

Have a meaningful Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

See more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

 
News headlines

FROM KCCI: Man missing after falling into Des Moines River, police say. A 49-year-old man is missing after reportedly falling off of a dock into the Des Moines River on Sunday morning. The Des Moines Police Department says first responders were called to the Prospect Park boat ramp shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday. The Des Moines Fire Department's Water Emergency Team was deployed and DMPD officers were stationed on the riverbanks and bridge overpasses. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Des Moines police investigating two Sunday morning shootings. The Des Moines Police Department announced that they are investigating two shootings early Sunday morning. According to the department, just before 3 a.m. officers responded to Broadlawns Medical Center after after an adult male showed up to the property seeking care for a gunshot wound to leg. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Des Moines pursuit ends in crash, suspect's passengers injured. A Des Moines man is in custody and two of his passengers were injured following a crash that concluded an early Sunday pursuit, the Des Moines Police Department said.
Just after 4 a.m., a DMPD officer attempted to pull a vehicle over for a traffic stop near York Street and Fremont Street, officials said. While initially beginning to comply with the officer, the driver suddenly sped away, initiating a chase. 
... READ MORE

 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: US-EU trade deal wards off further escalation but will raise costs for companies and consumers. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have announced a sweeping trade deal that imposes 15% tariffs on most European goods, warding off Trump’s threat of a 30% rate if no deal had been reached by Aug. 1.  ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Authorities seek to file terrorism and assault charges against suspect in Walmart knife attack. A man accused of entering a Walmart in Michigan and randomly stabbing 11 shoppers before being detained by bystanders in the store parking lot is expected to face terrorism and multiple assault charges, authorities said Sunday. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Cyclist hit by motorcycle during RAGBRAI's final leg in Delaware County. A cyclist riding RAGBRAI's final leg on Saturday was hit by a motorcyclist in Delaware County. According to the accident report from the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, a 59-year-old man from Manchester was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on 150th Street north of Manchester shortly after 9:30 a.m. Saturday when he accelerated up a hill, encountering a full roadway of RAGBRAI riders. ... READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Hot through Tuesday with heat indices well above 100 F at times. Good storm chance is Tuesday night into Wednesday, then cooler temperatures.

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

 
Pollen tracker
 
Tree pollen: None
Grass pollen: High
Ragweed pollen: None
 
The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
Best Local Martini Menu
 
1. The Stuffed Olive
 
2. The Lift
 
3. The Big Steer
 
See all of the results
 
 

Back to the Biz
 
Zenko Tea opened at 2701 Ingersoll over the weekend professing, "We're not just another boba spot." Huge things are coming to their hood with the MoJo retro motel readying for an opening, a new French restaurant coming to the same building as Zenko, and a Latino cafe and bakery to Grand Avenue south of the motel.

Iowa's Kim Reynolds, along with the governors of Idaho, Utah, Nebraska, Arkansas and Indiana, became the first to sign state laws that ban junk food drinks from SNAP benefits.

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

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) has $8 omelets and $10 hot beef sandwiches, or Mexican bowls on Mondays.

• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a chicken de Burgo special on Mondays before 4 p.m., $14 including beverage.
 
• 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 pizza, salad and wings bar.
 
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts Shelby Smokehouse Soul Food on Mondays, 5-9 p.m.
 
• Haiku (1350 31st St., Des Moines) offers free egg drop soup and crab Rangoon with lunch entrees today.
 
• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) has a $5 burger deal after 5 p.m.
 
• G Mig's (126 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has $11 smashburgers today with a side.
 
• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a Monday special Graziano grinder with a side for $12.
 
• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) offers a Monday special double smashburger and shoestring fries - $12.
 
• Bad Dog Burgers include three 1/3-pound patties, six pieces of bacon, choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion for $10.95 on Mondays at Kathy’s East 14th Street Tavern (3418 E. 14th St., Des Moines).
 
• Jethro's in Altoona and West Des Moines has a Monday mac and cheese special called hog wild this week.

• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has specials on chicken Parmesan and lasagna today, $11.50 with garlic bread and salad.

• Eastside Eddie’s (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) Monday  special is a burger with domestic beer, soft drink or well drink for $10. Those are good, generously sized burgers.

• Centro (1003 Locust St., Des Moines) offers half-price pizza and Peronis on Monday.

 Hy-Vee Market Grilles are offering a Monday special meat loaf dinner with green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy for $8. 

• Who's on First (810 E. First St., Ankeny) has steak night on Monday, and it's an 8-ounce filet with salad, mashed potatoes and beans for $22.95 

 Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special today on hot beef sandwiches, $10.95 until 4 p.m. 

• Tito’s Lounge (3916 Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) offers all-you-can-eat wings Mondays. 

• Monday brings prime rib specials to both Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) and Christopher's (2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines).

• Johnny's Hall of Fame (302 Court Ave., Des Moines) has $12 burger baskets on Mondays and Fridays.

• Urban Cellars (640 S. 50th St., West Des Moines) offers $60 wine dinners for two on Mondays including two entrees with soup or salad, a dessert and a bottle on wine. 

• Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines) has a burger basket with fries deal Mondays for $9. 

• Red Lobster's Monday special is lobster and shrimp scampi with a side for $20. 

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) has a Monday special homemade tuna, chicken or egg salad sandwiches on croissants for $12.50. 

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a Monday steak night special, sirloins and truffle fries for $18.

• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) offers $14 calzone specials with up to three ingredients on Mondays. 

• Price Chopper delis offer two-piece, bone-in fried chicken dinners, with two sides and a roll, for $6 on Mondays. 

•  Fareways have specials through Saturday on pork butts at $1.99/pound, deli-sliced smoked pork loins at $5.99/pound and boneless charcoal steaks for $5.88/pound. 

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW
 

CARS IN THE CITY
Honda Shadow — a good choice for beginners

By Jackie Wilson

Summertime in Iowa means spending time outside, soaking up the sunshine and experiencing the great outdoors. For some, cranking open the windows on their vehicles or opening the sunroof on their SUVs is just enough breeze. For others, an open-air ride on a speedy two-wheeler is an ideal way to spend the summer.

This month’s Cars in the City column does not feature a car but rather a two-wheeled ride on a 2025 Honda Shadow. I’m not a motorcycle driver, so this was a test ride — not a test drive. I recruited Gary Bland as my driver.  ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$319,450

4219 Fifth Ave. S.W.
Altoona, IA 50009

Welcome to this great 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom The Bourne is a stunning two-story designed floor plan featuring 1,399 square feet of living space with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a 2-car garage. The living area and kitchen are perfect for entertaining, including a spacious kitchen with soft close Legacy Cabinets, quartz countertops, and a large island.  ....

  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
3201 FOREST AVE., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-03-17
SALE PRICE: $6,250,000
SELLER: FOREST AVE APARTMENTS LLC
BUYER: FOREST AVE VILLAGE LLC
ACRES: 1.421
SQUARE FEET: 43,090
 
More transactions
 
Featured in the current
issue of Winterset  Living magazine
 

Meet Belle Johnson
Encouraging students as they grow as readers and Huskies

By Lindsey Giardino

When Belle Johnson was 10, her nephew was born. She vividly remembers the first time he started reading.

“Watching him learn was fascinating and beautiful, and I knew I wanted to be part of helping others grow and discover the joy of learning,” she shares.

Johnson followed this interest to college, attending Iowa State University for her bachelor’s degree in education, which she earned in 2021.  ...

 
Read more
 
Sports headlines
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Bubba Wallace Wins Brickyard 400, Clinches NASCAR Playoff Spot. Bubba Wallace is going to the NASCAR playoffs.
On Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the veteran driver outdueled Kyle Larson in overtime and got to the line first to win the Brickyard 400. The 31-year-old was able to conserve enough fuel to get to the finish and notch the biggest win of his career. ... READ MORE
 
FROM ESPN: Ichiro joins Sabathia, Wagner, Parker, Allen in Hall of Fame. Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese-born player to be enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, one of five new members of baseball's hallowed institution. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: England stuns Spain in penalties to earn second straight Euro title. England came into Sunday’s UEFA Euro 2025 final looking for revenge — and got it. Two years after losing to Spain in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Lionesses defeated Spain in penalties, 1(3) - 1(1), to take home back-to-back Euro titles. ... READ MORE
 

1868: 14th Amendment adopted. July 28, 1868: Following its ratification by the necessary three-quarters of U.S. states, the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including formerly enslaved people—is officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution. Secretary of State William Seward issues a proclamation certifying the amendment. ... READ MORE

1968: American Indian Movement (AIM) is founded. On July 28, 1968, several hundred Native Americans in Minneapolis, Minnesota attend a meeting, organized by community activists George Mitchell, Dennis Banks and Clyde Bellecourt, to discuss issues facing their local Indigenous community. This event marks the start of the American Indian Movement, or AIM, a primary proponent of the Red Power movement. Inspired by the gains of the Black civil rights movement, AIM sought to address the extreme suffering of Indigenous people and create a path for self-determination and empowerment. ... READ MORE

2016: Hillary Clinton accepts Democratic nomination for president. Ninety-five years after women were first granted the right to vote, on July 28, 2016, former Secretary of State, Senator and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton makes history by accepting the Democratic Party's nomination for president, becoming the first woman to lead a major U.S. political party. ... READ MORE

 www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 

These celebrities were born on this date: Elizabeth Berkley, Sally Struthers, Lori Loughlin, John David Washington, Jacoby Shaddix, Soulja Boy, Simon Kirke, Nolan Gerard Funk, Steve Morse, Alan Alda, Jim Davis, Britney Spears

SUBMIT: Send your local birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: Where is the guy who drank invisible ink? AT THE HOSPITAL WAITING TO BE SEEN! - Gail Tomlinson. Or... Hiding in plain sight! - Bill Snyder

Today's riddle: What kind of felines can bowl?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW magazine, contact:

Aaron Burns
Advertising Sales Manager
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 330
Mobile: 712-310-3860
aaron@dmcityview.com

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