Oct. 2 Daily Umbrella: DMPS officials hired superintendent despite false doctorate claim; more than 600 Latino restaurants in Io

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

Good morning to you!

As Iowans, we are used to some gentle ribbing from our neighbors in other states about the things that make us Iowans. Eating supper. Obsessing with ranch dressing. Buying sweet corn out of pickup trucks. Riding bicycles across the state for fun. Drinking pop. Living with a lot of hogs. And attending our wonderful state fair. We are not offended, as we simply think the non-Iowans don’t know what they are missing.

But, from time to time, our great state makes national headlines. Usually, this is around caucus time when national reporters seek quotes from a toothless couple in bib overalls sitting on hay bales. We shake our heads, but we accept it. Others can think what they want. We know the truth.

This week, that changed. Iowa — and Des Moines, specifically — was in the national headlines due to the unbelievable circumstances surrounding Des Moines Public School Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts. At least, that used to be his role. And, we assume that is his name. And, we thought he had a doctorate. As you all certainly must know by now, Roberts resigned from his role after fleeing immigration officials with a loaded gun, a knife and $3,000 in cash. Lots of questions still linger with the one at the top of the list being how the school board could possibly hire an illegal alien as superintendent. Needless to say, we Iowans are not being viewed in a positive way across the nation.

Roberts made a number of mistakes that I don’t need to detail further here, but he did the right thing by resigning before he was officially fired. This isn’t the first rodeo for his attorney, Alfredo Parrish, and their team is playing their cards carefully. Some say we should ultimately expect a lawsuit against the school district, in some way placing blame on the board for not exposing the potential problems and, in the end, harming Roberts’ name and destroying any future employment for him. More than likely, that would end in yet another settlement, but that’s the way these things seem to roll. Nancy Sebring is smiling somewhere, saying, “Do you miss me now?”

Others say the school board members should take responsibility for the error and resign. Specifically, they want School Board President Jackie Norris to do so. Don’t expect that to happen anytime soon. I know Jackie. We have written about her many times. She is smart. She is experienced. And she is a fighter. Yes, she is running for U.S. Senate, and this clearly puts her in a pickle. Ultimately, she will leave the school board, but she has a mess here to clean up first — and a new superintendent to hire. I trust she will.

Meanwhile, let those from other states poke fun at us about this superintendent debacle. We can take it, and we know we deserve the criticism. We can still be friends, and we will even invite them around the table for supper, as long as they bring the ranch dressing.

Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
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: Des Moines officials hired superintendent despite false Morgan State doctorate claim on his resume. One day after voting to accept the resignation of Superintendent Ian Roberts, officials with Des Moines School Board say they are among a growing list of victims "of deception by Dr. Roberts." A spokesperson with the Des Moines Public Schools provided an update Wednesday about the resume Roberts used before he was hired as superintendent in 2023. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Parents react to Roberts resignation, faith in DMPS board to select new district leader. It has been five days since the arrest of former Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts by Immigrations Custom Enforcement. The Des Moines School Board had to act quickly after the arrest to name Associate Superintendent Matt Smith as the interim. Since then, the board placed Roberts on paid administrative leave, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked his administrator license and then the board placed him on unpaid leave. Just yesterday, the board accepted Roberts’ letter of resignation as the leader of the district. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Casey's faces lawsuit over misleading discount advertising. A southern Iowa man has filed a lawsuit against Casey's, alleging the store failed to deliver advertised discounts. In a petition filed on Aug. 28, Kit Mason of Allerton highlights instances where he purchased cans of alcohol that had labeled discounts, and then shows receipts showing they were not implemented at the register. In one instance, Mason's petition shows an advertisement of two Four Lokos for $4. A corresponding receipt shows he paid $7 before tax and deposit fees. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: UK leader says additional police to be deployed at synagogues after attack near Manchester. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Thursday that additional police officers will be deployed at synagogues across the U.K. after the attack near Manchester that left four people injured. Starmer made the announcement as he prepared to fly home early from a summit of European leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Government shutdown takes hold with mass layoffs looming and no end in sight. The federal government was thrown into a shutdown Wednesday with no easy endgame in sight, as Democrats held firm to their demands to salvage health care subsidies that President Donald Trump and Republican in Congress have dismissed as something to possibly discuss later. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: 1 critically injured when lawn mower goes up in flames in Webster City. An individual was critically injured when a lawn mower went up in flames in Webster City on Monday. At around 3:09 p.m., the Webster City Fire Department responded to a report of a possible house fire. According to the fire department, when firefighters arrived at the scene, they discovered a riding lawn mower, not a home, was on fire. Firefighters were able to quickly put out the flames. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Warm and dry conditions continue through the weekend. Rain chances and cooler air move in Monday and Tuesday.

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: None

Ragweed pollen: High

AUDITIONS – Ankeny Community Theatre. “Miracle on 34thStreet, The Play.” Saturday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. for children only, ages 8-14, Sunday, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m. (adults only), Monday, Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m. (adults only). Performances Dec. 5-14.

Ankeny Community Theatre
“Blithe Spirit” opens this Friday, Oct. 3 through Oct 12. Come experience Noël Coward’s playwriting brilliance in the intimate confines of Ankeny Community Theatre.

First Friday at Mainframe Studios – Pen & Ink
In what has become an eagerly anticipated monthly cultural immersion, Mainframe Studios becomes a vibrant space for cultural adventurism. This Friday, Oct. 3, the doors are wide open from 5-8 p.m. in this energized, free, family-friendly event. Come enjoy this unique opportunity to visit a wealth of artists in their studios, discuss their works, and enjoy the bounty of visuals. Food, music, fun all await the cultural adventurer as they explore October’s featured multimedia exhibition.

Drake University Alumni Choir: Umeri “Into One Song”
University Alumni Choir will perform a free Oct. 5 concert - "Into One Song."

“Proyecto Echoes Migrantxs”
This is the very first Spanish-language theater project in Des Moines, debuting on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Stoner Theater. “Proyecto Echoes Migrantxs” is more than a play. It’s a six-week collective creation project led by Latinx adults who have long dreamed of exploring the performing arts but never had the opportunity. English interpretation available for non-Spanish speakers.

Plymouth Church to host Censorship and Banned Books Event
Oct. 5 at 12:15 p.m., at the beginning of Banned Books Week, Plymouth Church in Des Moines will be hosting “Censorship! Banned Books Panel & Discussion.” Panel members: Kevin and Mollie Cooney, retired long-time Iowa journalists (moderators); Sen. Janet Petersen, Iowa State Senator; Mark Stringer, Executive Director, Iowa ACLU; Sara Parris, Annie’s Foundation; and, Jacquie Easly, Black Child Development Institute.

Banned books and librarians
Amanda Jones, author - “That Librarian”
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 7-8 p.m., Drake University's Olmsted Center.

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®

Best Local Pharmacy

1. Medicap Pharmacy

2. Hy-Vee

3. Walgreens

See all of the results

This is not you grandparents' Iowa, praise the lord
The Iowa Latino Restaurant Association reports that there are more than 600 Latino restaurants in Iowa. Almost all are family owned; Taco Bell, Taco John's and their imitators do not count in this category. Even in their hey days, Italian restaurants never dreamed of such numbers. In fact, they were mostly just a Des Moines phenomenon. Some small towns in Iowa today, like Columbus Junction on our last visit, might have multiple Latino restaurants and no others.

With its stock losing about 20% of its value this year, and with MAHA moms watching their kids' junk foods closer than ever, junk food behemoth Kraft Heinz fought back recently with "new ideas." One is selling their infamous mac and cheese in larger boxes that "can feed a family of five for less than $2." Another is "using better cookies and crackers" in Lunchables. These should hit supermarket shelves this autumn.

Thursday deals
• Masao (512 E. Grand, Des Moines) is now open for lunch Wednesday through Friday.

• Aldi stores haves sales through Tuesday on baby bellas at $1.29/half-pound package, white grapes at $1.29/pound and pumpkins at $3.99.

• Mullets Norwalk offers two two-topping pizzas for $20 on Thursday’s 4 p.m. to close.

• Buzzard Billy's (615 Third St., Des Moines) has $2 off appetizers on Thursdays.

• Whatch Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a pork belly burnt ends special on Thursdays.

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

• 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. 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 p.m.

• 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. $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., 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.

• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) has a sale through Tuesday on red or green organic grapes at $1.99/pound, mini watermelons at $2.99, and Coho salmon filets at $6.99/pound.

• Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) new Thursday special for $20.95 is half a fried chicken with potato, side of spaghetti and a salad. Lunch and dinner.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

FEATURE STORY
Raw talent

By Cyote Williams

IOWA WILD

The Iowa Wild finished the 2024 regular season in sixth place in the Central Division with a 27-37 record on 62 points. Identical to the year before. At the conclusion of the season, then-head coach Brett McClean accepted a job with the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant.

The Wild’s job search landed Greg Cronin. Cronin was most recently managing the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. Last season, under Cronin, the Ducks accrued an 80-point season, going 35-37-10. Those two seasons in charge for Cronin are a small blip compared to the entirety of his coaching career. The Arlington, Massachusetts, native has 38 years of coaching experience under his belt. ...

Featured home for sale

Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.

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Winterset, IA 50273

Rare 30-acre retreat in Madison County with 4,032-square-foot custom home. Main level features gourmet kitchen with two dishwashers and walk-in pantry, spacious living areas, and a primary suite with sitting room, spa bath, huge walk-in closet and laundry. Upstairs offers loft with wet bar, four bedrooms, three baths and second laundry. Heated/cooled 2,240-square-foot attached garage includes office, canning kitchen, storm shelter and four stalls with drains and hot/cold sprayer. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

1076 21ST ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-05-19
SALE PRICE: $293,500
SELLER: ENA INVESTMENTS LLC
BUYER: GASSETT, BRANDON
ACRES: 0.241
SQUARE FEET: 2,651

More transactions

Featured in the current
issue of Waukee Living magazine

Wauktoberfest celebration
Festival’s fourth year at Triangle

By Jackie Wilson

Are you ready to roll a keg, dance a polka or drink a stein of beer? Whether you’re German or not, you can still join in on Waukee’s Wauktoberfest.

Wauktoberfest, a German-style celebration, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Waukee’s downtown Triangle. Festivities start at 3 p.m.
In its fourth year, Wauktoberfest is a fundraiser sponsored by the Waukee Area Historical Society (WAHS). The WAHS is a local nonprofit established in 2012. The event goes beyond celebrating, as it also supports a great cause: preserving, honoring and recognizing Waukee's proud history. ...

Sports headlines

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Browns’ decision is about Dillon Gabriel’s reality, not Shedeur Sanders’ perception. Let’s, for now, make this about Dillon Gabriel. Plenty of heads were scratched after the Browns took the Oregon star in the third round with the 94th pick—in part because he wasn’t on a lot of fans’ radars as an NFL prospect, and in part because of who else was still available. However, in NFL circles, where people’s jobs actually depend on correctly evaluating draft prospects, especially quarterbacks, there was noticeably a lot less surprise. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: Dodgers oust Reds in wild card, advance to face Phillies in NLDS. The Dodgers felt they addressed any concerns about the state of their team over the final three weeks of the regular season, reeling off 15 wins in 20 games. But in case there was any doubt, they displayed their full might in two wild-card matchups against the Cincinnati Reds, the last of which, an 8-4 victory Wednesday night, advanced them into the National League Division Series. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Big Ten in discussions regarding $2 billion private capital investment into conference. Could the Big Ten get backing from a private equity fund? Per Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, the conference has been in talks “for months” about private capital investments worth at least $2 billion. According to ESPN, the investment would also come with a 10-year extension of the conference’s media rights deal through the 2046 season. The Big Ten has one of the most lucrative media rights deals in college sports with CBS, Fox and NBC. ... READ MORE

1944: General Eisenhower warns of the risk of “shell shock.” On Oct. 2, 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower distributes to his combat units a report by the U.S. Surgeon General that reveals the hazards of prolonged exposure to combat. “[T]he danger of being killed or maimed imposes a strain so great that it causes men to break down. One look at the shrunken, apathetic faces of psychiatric patients…sobbing, trembling, referring shudderingly to ‘them shells’ and to buddies mutilated or dead, is enough to convince most observers of this fact.” ... READ MORE

1965: Gatorade first tested in a college football game. On Oct. 2, 1965, during a football game between the University of Florida Gators and the Louisiana State University Tigers, UF players test a newly concocted sports drink to help them regain the essential chemicals their bodies lose from profuse sweating. Developed in their own school's science labs, the drink is designed to fight dehydration, rebalance their bodies' electrolytes and restore blood sugar, potassium and body salts so they can continue to perform at a high level through their games. The Gators go on to win the match, after the heavily favored Tigers wilt in Florida's muggy, 102-degree heat ... READ MORE

1967: Thurgood Marshall sworn in as first Black Supreme Court justice. Chief Justice Earl Warren swears in Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. As chief counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the 1940s and ’50s, Marshall was the architect and executor of the legal strategy that ended the era of official racial segregation. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: Sting, Kelly Ripa, Lorraine Bracco, Annie Leibovitz, Avery Brooks, Don McLean, Donna Karan, Efren Ramirez, Elizabeth McLaughlin, Marion Bartoli, Tiffany, Brittany Howard

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

Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: Do you know what they say about a clean desk? It's a sure sign of a cluttered desk drawer! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, There’s no work being done there! - Bill Snyder. Or, It's "top drawer"! - Carolyn Rogers. Or, Sign of a cluttered mind! - Rex Post

Today's riddle: Why did the ram run over the cliff?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:

Mary Fowler
Account Executive
515-953-4822 x311
c: 641-485-0555
mary@dmcityview.com

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