Oct. 27 Daily Umbrella: Iowa farmers eye relief; “Made with real potatoes,” what's a ghost with a broken leg called?

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Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

Good morning to you!

I have shared this story before, but it’s worth repeating. I was a teenager in 1985, riding along with my father in his Oldsmobile sedan. I asked him if he ever gambled. He asked me if I had a dollar bill. I peeled one out of my trusty Velcro wallet and handed it to him. He proceeded to roll down his car window and let my dollar bill fly down the highway. “That’s gambling,” he said.

That moment had quite an impact on me, and it was out of character for my father. But, it worked. And, with the massive growth of online gambling and the related societal problems, more parents should be doing the same with their children today.

I am convinced that online gambling is the single greatest problem we will be facing, as it will become the single greatest addiction for a generation. Bringing addictions into the home is the turning point. Drinking or using drugs in public situations is one thing, but when the user brings those addictions home — behind closed doors, with zero accountability — that’s when the real trouble begins. Gambling in casinos has its own problems, but it is measured and regulated, to some degree. Gambling in the home behind a computer screen or a mobile phone creates entirely new scenarios.

Generally, I believe legal products and services should be able to be marketed openly and freely with limited restrictions. If what is being marketed is truly that awful, then make it illegal. But, we don’t. Our lawmakers simply create a few hoops to jump through and tax those addictions through the roof. Meanwhile, the addictions soar… and multiply. Today, online gambling is bigger than ever, and so are the consequences.

In the U.S., online gambling revenue grew from $2.5 billion in 2018 to nearly $20 billion by 2023, with projections of hitting $40 billion by 2029. The global online gambling market is projected to grow significantly also, with revenues expected to reach $182.21 billion by 2030, up from approximately $58 billion in 2021.

In the U.S., about two million adults are estimated to have a severe gambling problem, and four to six million are thought have a mild or moderate problem. Those numbers do NOT include minors who are finding ways to illegally gamble after being subjected to the onslaught of marketing.

How can you recognize a possible gambling problem? The Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen from the Cambridge Health Alliance's Division on Addiction tests for gambling disorder risk by asking three questions:
• During the past 12 months, have you become restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to stop and/or cut down on gambling?
• During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled?
• During the past 12 months, did you have such financial trouble due to gambling that you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends, or welfare?

And how do you know if you are engaging in harmless or harmful gambling? According to the Harvard Health Publishing, here is what is considered the threshold of low-risk gambling:
• You gamble no more than 1% of household income.
• You gamble no more than four days per month.
• You don't gamble at more than two types of games.

I am truly thankful for the teaching moment from my father about gambling. Now is the time for more of us to do the same with our children, our grandchildren and other youth we are in contact with.

Have a memorable Monday, and thanks for reading.

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

See more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

FROM KCCI: Iowa farmers eye relief as U.S. and China move toward trade deal. Iowa soybean farmers could soon see long-awaited relief as the United States and China edge closer to a trade agreement that may reopen the world’s largest market for American soybeans. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Osceola man arrested in Waukee park with alleged drugs and gun. The Waukee Police Department arrested an Osceola man for allegedly illegally possessing drugs and gun in a Waukee park on Friday. The Waukee Police Department states in a criminal complaint that officers were called to a suspicious vehicle at Fox Creek Park, located at 522 NE Westgate Drive in Waukee, just before 2 a.m. on Friday. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Authorities investigating after garage explodes in Boone. The Boone Fire Department is investigating a garage explosion on Sunday afternoon. Fire crews responded to a reported explosion at a residence in the 1300 block of Monona Street, according to a Facebook post. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: For Japan’s new leader, the key to connecting with Trump could be a Ford F-150 truck. President Donald Trump arrives Monday in Japan where new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is banking on building a friendly personal relationship with the U.S. leader to ease trade tensions. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1, raising the stakes for families nationwide as the government shutdown drags on. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Juvenile charged with attempted murder after Dubuque shooting. Dubuque Police responded to a report of gunfire near East 17th and Jackson Streets on Friday morning. Officers say Kareem Sehwail, 18, was involved in a disturbance with two others in a nearby alley just before 10 a.m. Investigators say during the altercation, a juvenile male fired a handgun at Sehwail, missing him but hitting a car. Police say traffic cameras captured the suspects fleeing as Sehwail ran to Jackson Street. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Breezy conditions will be with us through Wednesday. Rain chances return today and linger into Wednesday as well.

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

Pollen tracker

Tree pollen: Low

Grass pollen: Low

Ragweed pollen: Low

Mold: Low

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

Best Local Permanent Makeup Salon

1. Pinpoint Permanent Cosmetics

2. Nova MedSpa

3. Layochè Beauty

See all of the results

Back to the Biz
Getting real. Before the end of the year, Lay's iconic yellow potato chip bags will include a new phrase: “Made with real potatoes.” Some Lay’s varieties are switching to olive or avocado oil from seed and corn oils. Barbecue flavors will be reformulated to remove artificial coloring used to give the chips their signature red-brown color. Lay’s is redoing their bags with pictures of "real potatoes" and chips. The bag’s front trumpets the lack of artificial flavors and dyes; the back describes Herman Lay’s original chip recipe, which parent company PepsiCo says is still in use but “has evolved” over more than 80 years.

Iowa Restaurant Association released their Celebrating Excellence awards: Restaurateur of the Year - Bob Rand and Lorrie Luense, Archie’s Waeside, LeMars; Chef of the Year - Sam Gelman, The Webster and Paper Crane, Iowa City; Rural Operator of the Year - Brad Waldron, Rusty Duck, Dexter; Employee of the Year - Michelle “Betty” Grandgenett, Orchestrate Hospitality, Des Moines; Emerging Leader of the Year - Cephus Wright and Jason Krull, Aura Restaurant & Lounge, Clive; Philanthropist of the Year - Alfonso Medina, La Carreta Mexican Grill and El Portal Mexican Restaurant, Marshalltown; Faces of Diversity Award - Thakur Neupane, Kathmandu, Windsor Heights; American Dream Award - Arturo Mora, Roots95 and Flame Cantina, Johnston; Purveyor Partner of the Year - WoodRiver Energy, Des Moines; Legislator of the Year - Rep. David Young, Van Meter; Champion of the Year - May Schaben, Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation; Sustainability Award - Rob and Dr. Christi Taylor, Revelton Distilling Co., Osceola; Educator of the Year - Claire Anderson, Johnston High School. They will be honored at the annual IRA banquet Nov. 17 at Iowa Events Center.

Deals today
• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) Monday special is three for $25 on all appetizers.

• Hy-Vee Market Grilles offer a Monday special smoked chicken hindquarter with corn bread and corn on the cob for $8.

• Bubba (200 10th St., Des Moines) has a Monday night sirloin dinner special for $20.

• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers a "Monday grind" special grinder and fries basket for $9.50.

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

• Trostel's Greeenbriar (Merle Hay Road, Johnston) has a Monday burger with a side and beer deal for $14. Their chef's special through Wednesday is a 20-ounce ribeye with pepper sauce and asparagus $50.

• 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.

• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts Shelby Smokehouse Soul Food on Mondays, 5-9 p.m.

• G Mig's (126 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has $11 smashburgers today with a side.

• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll) 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 have a Monday chicken tenders and fries special $9.95.

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

• 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) has a burger basket with fries deal Mondays for $9.

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) has a Monday special homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich 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 black or green grapes at $1.99/pound, St. Louis ribs at $2.99/pound, and chicken wings at $2.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

Terrifying non-horror movies to give you waking nightmares all October long

By David Rowley

“Not a speck of light is showing / So the danger must be growing / Are the fires of Hell a-glowing? / Is the grisly reaper mowing?” (Lyrics from “The Wonderous Book Ride”)

Think the horror genre has a monopoly on fear? Oh, dear reader, how wrong you are. Prepare to have your pulse racing with these non-horror horror movie masterpieces. Far from the typical terrifying fare, each film is a genre-defying tale into the heart of dread. The following eight movies demonstrate, with unnerving precision, that what goes bump in the night is not confined to shadowy corners of haunted houses. ...

Featured home for sale

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See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

308 FIFTH ST., WEST DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-05-29
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Featured in the current
issue of Altoona Living magazine

Meet Tara Lewis
Writing stories and reading what they like helps students enjoy learning.

By T.K. West

Tara Lewis has a passion for teaching early reading. Working as a Montessori preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher and reading specialist, Lewis has built a foundation that has given her the confidence to teach first graders to read. Now, Lewis teaches at Clay Elementary School. Although Lewis was initially hired as a reading and math specialist at the Southeast Polk Community School District, when a classroom opened up, she transitioned into teaching first grade.

“The moment I stepped into Clay Elementary, it felt like home. The staff, students and families were all extremely welcoming. I also feel like the administration, instructional coaches and district coordinators all strive to do what is best for students. They are always willing to answer questions or help out when needed,” Lewis says. ...

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Cam Skattebo exits Giants-Eagles game with gruesome dislocated ankle. Giants running back Cam Skattebo exited Sunday's game against the Eagles after suffering a grisly injury to his right ankle, leaving New York shaken and shorthanded in a key divisional clash. ... READ MORE

FROM ESPN: 'Up-and-coming' Jordan Love stars as Packers defeat Steelers. This was vintage Aaron Rodgers. Except it was Jordan Love. Twenty straight completions. Three hundred and sixty yards passing. Three touchdowns. No interceptions. With Rodgers watching in the Steelers' black and gold, Love, the quarterback who replaced him with the Green Bay Packers, showed just how much he learned from his predecessor in a 35-25 victory on Sunday night in Rodgers' new home, Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Lakers guard Luka Dončić to miss at least 1 week with finger sprain, leg contusion. Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić is set to miss at least a week with multiple injuries, via multiple media reports. Dončić has been ruled out with a left finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion. He will be reevaluated in a week, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported. ... READ MORE

1904: New York City subway opens. At 2:35 on the afternoon of Oct. 27, 1904, New York City Mayor George McClellan takes the controls on the inaugural run of the city’s innovative new rapid transit system: the subway. ... READ MORE

1962: The United States and Soviet Union step back from brink of nuclear war. Complicated and tension-filled negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union finally result in a plan to end the two-week-old Cuban Missile Crisis. A frightening period in which nuclear holocaust seemed imminent began to come to an end. ... READ MORE

1994: Justice Department announces that U.S. prison population exceeds one million. The U.S. Justice Department announces that the U.S. prison population has topped one million for the first time in American history. The figure — 1,012,851 men and women were in state and federal prisons — did not include local prisons, where an estimated 500,000 prisoners were held, usually for short periods. The increase, due to tougher sentencing laws, made the United States second only to Russia in the world for incarceration rates at the time. Today, the U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

Happy birthday, Lindsey Woody!

These celebrities were born on this date: Bryan Craig, Christine Evangelista, David Walton, Fran Lebowitz, Jerry Dale McFadden, John Cleese, Kelly Osbourne, Lee Greenwood, Roberto Benigni, Roberto Picardo, Simon Le Bon

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

The answer to the last riddle: Why are ghosts always drunk? Why are ghosts always drunk? Because of all the BOOOOs (booze) or spirits! - Rex Post, Gail Tomlinson, Bill Snyder, Carolyn Rogers. Or, they can't hold their liquor! - Irving Stone.

Today's riddle: What's a ghost with a broken leg called?

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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