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Monday, Jan. 12, 2026
Good morning to you! 

Sometime around Jan. 1, many news organizations feel the need to provide a summary of the top news stories from the prior year. On a local level, some community newspapers do this with a summary of their already-published stories. Their editors call it interesting news. I call it lazy journalism. Yes, this is typically a slower news time and, yes, a year’s summary fills pages, but a good reporter can find fresh news stories any time of the year, and readers who are paying a subscription fee deserve more than stories they have already read.

I felt the need to get that opinion out in the open before I penned this morning’s column, as I am being a hypocrite of sorts. Maybe even lazy. As those of you who are regular readers of this column know, I write about a variety of subjects of the day and often don’t close the loop. With that in mind, here is a look back on some of my more personal columns in recent months along with a few updates.

I had shoulder surgery on Sept. 24. It wasn’t a walk in the park, but the shoulder is definitely healing. I can now operate the TV remote control just fine.

A burst water line in a wall in our Johnston office dampened our carpets and our spirits. After a week or so of industrial fans and dehumidifiers, we are now drier than the Atacama Desert. And, hopefully soon, the sheetrock repair will begin.

During Christmas, our hot water heater AND our furnace quit working at our home. Thanks to some handy repairmen and a couple of large checks, we are now showering and enjoying the comforts of warmth again.

As of Jan. 9, we still have a Christmas tree up. I achieved my goal in keeping it standing until the Epiphany, but time has slipped away since. It might become an Easter tree.

My wife said I either needed to build a bigger closet or throw away some slippers. So, I caved in and tossed out one worn pair of my cozy foot coverings.

I have not returned any Christmas gifts, and I won’t be.

I reread Robert Hullihan’s Christmas classic many times, and I enjoy it more and more each time. Thank you, Michael.

Despite my best intentions, we regretfully did not get any Christmas cards sent out this year, but we did send a few New Year cards to family members.

With only a few weeks remaining, we still don’t have Super Bowl plans, and that’s just fine by me. Unless, of course, you have a great party to invite me to.

Most importantly, I am still smiling.

Have a memorable Monday, and thanks for reading

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

Read more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

 
News headlines

FROM KCCI: West Des Moines school board to vote on future of Walnut Creek alternative school. The future of an alternative high school that has served West Des Moines students for more than three decades is now in the hands of the school board. The West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education is scheduled to vote Monday night on a proposal that would close the Walnut Creek Campus at the end of this school year and replace it with a district-wide alternative education model. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: 1 injured during crash that ruptured a gas line in Des Moines. One person was injured during a crash that ruptured a gas line in Des Moines’ Capitol East neighborhood. The Des Moines Police and Fire Departments were called to E. 16th Street and E. Grand Avenue just before 4 p.m. on reports of a crash with injury. Crews arrived on scene and found that one of the involved vehicles had struck and ruptured a natural gas line. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: ISEA says report showing teacher vacancies at historic low 'is not the lived experience' of educators. State officials say Iowa is doing better than most other states when it comes to staffing at schools. According to a new report from the Iowa Department of Education, the percentage of open teacher positions is about half the national average. For the 2025-2026 school year, full-time teacher vacancies in Iowa are at 1.12%. Last year, that figure was 1.75%. ... READ MORE

 
 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as the death toll in protests rises to at least 544. U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown on protesters, a move coming as activists said Monday the death toll in the nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 544. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Venezuelans in the US are torn between joy and worry after ousting of Maduro. In the days since the Trump administration ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a late-night military raid, Alejandra Salima has spoken to fellow Venezuelan migrants in her role as an advocate. Like her, most voice feelings that seesaw between joy and trepidation, she said. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Iowa man who ran into roadway dies after being hit by truck. Authorities say a Winterset man has died after being struck by a pickup truck on Highway 169 in Madison County. It happened around 10:45 p.m. Saturday near East Madison Street in Winterset. According to an Iowa State Patrol crash report, 23-year-old Logan Smith "ran into the roadway" from the east ditch, crossed the northbound lane and struck the side of a southbound Ford F250 driven by an 18-year-old man from Afton. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash is still under investigation. ... READ MORE

 

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Warming up into today and Tuesday. Colder and breezy Wednesday with flurries. Light snow accumulations possible Thursday and Friday.

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

 
 
The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Landscaper
 
1. Premier Landscape
 
2. Ted Lare Design Build
 
3. Solid Rock Landscaping
 
See all of the results
 
Back to Biz
 
A 535-pound blue fin tuna from Oma dock in northeast Japan sold for 510 million yen ($3.2 million dollars) at the New Year Fish Auction in Tokyo, the biggest fish auction of the year. That was considerably more than the previous record of 300 million yen set in 2019.  Kiyoshi Kimura won the bidding war. He owns SushiKanmai, a Japanese chain that opened its first U.S. store in Los Angeles' Korea Town last May. Three pieces of blue fin go for $17 there. Blue fin are most popular at New Year because they are considered lucky for those who eat them then. (Those pictured here are from Masao.)
 
The property at 4704 University in Des Moines sold recently for $252,000. That would mean that  the Waveland Tap has a new landlord. The WT is one of a dwindling number of taverns with live taps, for 14 kinds of draft beer.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast this year will be 8 a.m. at Drake’s Olmsted Center, Jan. 19, $50. You must buy tickets today. 

Deals today
• Hy-Vee Market Grilles offer chicken fried steak specials on Mondays for $8. 

• It's catfish night at Waterfront stores. Dinners cooked any way you like it, $19.99.

• Kids eat free on Monday at Curbin' Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor Road, Suite 200, Ankeny).

• It's Meat Loaf Monday at Mickey's in Yale.

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

•  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.   

• 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 smash burger and shoestring fries, $12.
 
• 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, $15 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.  

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

• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special today on hot beef sandwiches, $10.95 all day. 

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

• 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 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.

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

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on avocados at $.49, green peppers at $1.49/three-pack, and grapefruit $3.99/5-pound bag.

• Fareways have specials through Saturday on pork ribeyes at $1.25/5-ounce steak, mandarins at $3.99/3-pound bag and  80/20 burger at $5.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW
 

JOE'S NEIGHBORHOOD
The death of a teacher

By Joe Weeg

Jay Holstein died the other day. Most of you don’t know him. He was 87 when he died, and his time in the public eye had long passed. Or maybe you didn’t know him, but you heard of him when you were a college student. And, maybe even then, you thought he was just a small man teaching an impractical course in the obscure religion department at the University of Iowa. Who cares about a college professor who touches your life for five minutes before you are on your way to that three-car garage attached to a home in West Des Moines with the cold plunge and granite kitchen counters? ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$559,900
1420 N.W. Linda Lane
Waukee, IA 50263
 
Brand-new 2025 ranch in Waukee’s Parkside neighborhood. Main level features a bright, open layout, tray-ceiling living room with built-ins, electric fireplace, and a kitchen with soft-close cabinetry, quartz counters, large island, and walk-in pantry. Primary suite includes a large tiled shower, dual vanities, and a walk-in closet with built-ins. …
  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
2203 GRAND AVE., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-08-12
SALE PRICE: $1,250,000
SELLER: REC HOLDING LLC
BUYER: 2203 GRAND LLC
ACRES: 0.389
SQUARE FEET: 7,558
 
More transactions
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: Bills use late TD to beat Jags in AFC wild-card playoff game. Josh Allen took a pounding, doled out punishment and delivered Buffalo its first road playoff victory in more than three decades as the Bills beat Jacksonville 27-24 in the AFC's wild-card opener Sunday. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: After playoff exit, Eagles must ask questions about their very identity. In what felt like record time, club music faded into boos. The visual of Quinyon Mitchell picking off a Brock Purdy pass, running into the end zone to celebrate and firing the football 13 rows into the stands with the veracity of a cricket bowler, was followed shortly by another slow trot off the field by Jalen Hurts. Then the Eagles’ defense — clearly the fun parent — having to make another appearance to quell the emotional damage brought on by the take-your-medicine offense; a nonstop array of steamed vegetables and early, sensible bedtimes that, at best, provided a respite for those who needed time at the concession stand. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: HS wrestling coach accuses Marcus Freeman of battery; Notre Dame says video evidence 'fully exonerates' Freeman. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has been investigated regarding a battery accusation from an alleged altercation at his son’s high school wrestling meet. The alleged incident occurred on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Mishawaka High School in Indiana. According to the South Bend Tribune, New Prairie High School assistant coach Chris Fleeger filed a police report against Freeman this week. ... READ MORE
 

1932: Hattie Wyatt Caraway becomes first woman elected to U.S. Senate. Hattie Ophelia Wyatt Caraway, a Democrat from Arkansas, becomes the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate. Caraway, born near Bakerville, Tennessee, had been appointed to the Senate two months earlier to fill the vacancy left by her late husband, Thaddeus Horatio Caraway. With the support of Huey Long, a powerful senator from Louisiana, Caraway was elected to the seat. In 1938, she was reelected. After failing to win renomination in 1944, she was appointed to the Federal Employees Compensation Commission by President Franklin Roosevelt.. … READ MORE

1986: Franklin Chang-Diaz becomes the first Hispanic American to fly in space. On Jan. 12,1986, astronaut and physicist Franklin Chang-Diaz becomes the first Hispanic American to fly in space on the Space Shuttle Columbia, which orbited Earth 96 times, deployed the SATCOM KU satellite used for broadcast television and conducted experiments in astrophysics. It was a high point in an aeronautical career with plenty of high points. … READ MORE

2010: Massive earthquake strikes Haiti. On Jan. 12, 2010, Haiti is devastated by a massive earthquake. It drew an outpouring of support from around the globe, but the small nation has yet to fully recover. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 

 
Birthdays and notables
 

These celebrities were born on this date: Dominique Wilkins, Issa Rae, Jeff Bezos, Howard Stern, Melanie Chisholm, Oliver Platt, Zayn Malik, Rob Zombi, Jeremy Camp

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What do you call a ghost in the winter? Casp-brrr.

Today's riddle: What do you call a snapshot from the North Pole?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Winterset Living magazines, contact:

Kristine McDonald
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 321
Mobile: C: 515-975-3543
kristine@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

 

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