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Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Good morning to you! 

I believe it was Mrs. Schweer who taught my third-grade classmates and me how to write in cursive. Mine wasn’t pretty, but it wasn’t Mrs. Schweer’s fault. My cursive writing still looks like something scripted in German. Some of you may recall this process and how we used to be judged not just on what we wrote but on how fancy we made it look. Big loops. Dramatic flourishes. Cursive wasn’t just handwriting — it was a personality.

Then, around 2010, cursive quietly got ghosted. Blame the Common Core. Blame keyboards. Blame the fact that typing is faster than perfecting a capital “G” that looks like a roller coaster. Schools pivoted. Efficiency won. Laptops took over. Loops lost. Cursive went from essential life skill to something your grandma does in birthday cards.

The results? Equal parts funny and slightly alarming. In 2022, historian Drew Gilpin Faust pointed out that some Harvard students couldn’t read cursive. Harvard. The place with Latin on the buildings.

To be fair, cursive has always been going through makeovers. In the 1800s, Platt Rogers Spencer made it elegant and nature-inspired. Then Austin Norman Palmer came along and said, “What if we made this faster?” Suddenly, cursive had a job to do.

Then technology really sped things up. Quills became pens. Pens became typewriters. Typewriters became computers. Now we communicate in emails and texts. Cursive no longer stands a chance.

Still, it is not completely dead. Some states are bringing it back, arguing kids should at least be able to read historical documents. There is even evidence cursive can help students with dysgraphia, which is a nice comeback story for something we almost retired.

Today, cursive lives in a weird middle zone. Not required. Not extinct. Just … there. Like landlines or knowing how to use a fax machine. A full comeback is unlikely. Keyboards are here. Emojis are thriving. No one is giving up autocorrect for a fancy lowercase “f.”

But cursive might stick around as a niche skill — part tradition, part practicality, part “look what I can do.” It’s still good for signatures, old documents and feeling vaguely sophisticated while writing a grocery list. And, honestly, that might be enough.

Because, in a world of screens and taps and endless notifications, cursive offers proof that a human hand was here. And if the Wi-Fi ever goes down for good, those of us who can still write in cursive might suddenly look less old-fashioned and more like we have been quietly preparing for this moment all along.

Have a watchful Wednesday, and thank you 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.

 

FROM KCCI: Infant dead, toddler seriously injured in separate dog-bite incidents in Des Moines. A 2-year-old child was seriously injured after being bitten in the face by a dog at a Des Moines hotel Tuesday morning in what authorities say is one of two recent incidents highlighting the risks young children face around animals. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Johnston man charged with grooming, sending explicit content to undercover deputy. A Johnston man is charged with grooming in Guthrie County after court documents reveal he was having sexual conversations and sending nude photos to a Guthrie County Sheriff’s deputy posing as a 15-year-old. Charles Rash III, 39, is expected to be in court Friday on charges of grooming and telephone dissemination of obscene material to minor. He had an initial appearance in Guthrie County on Monday, where a bond of $5,000 was set. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa restaurants adjust as Gen Z ditches alcohol. Gen Z is drinking less liquor than previous generations. Connor Hayes, general manager of Judges on Court Avenue, is feeling the effects firsthand. “I definitely have noticed an upward trend in mocktail sales and non alcoholic beverages in general,” Hayes said. “It’s important to cater to those guests as well.” Hayes has worked at different places on Court over the past decade. Recently, he’s noticed a greater demand for spirit-free options. ... READ MORE

 
 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: US, Israel and Iran agree to a 2-week ceasefire but attacks resume in Iran and Gulf Arab countries. Iran, the United States and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire, an 11th hour deal that allowed U.S. President Donald Trump to pull back from his threats to unleash a bombing campaign that would destroy Iranian civilization. But attacks in Iran and Gulf Arab countries resumed Wednesday, throwing the deal into question. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Artemis II astronauts make long-distance call to the space station as they head home from the moon. Still aglow from their triumphant lunar flyby, the Artemis II astronauts put in a call to their friends aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday as they headed home from the moon. It was the first moonship-to-spaceship radio linkup ever. NASA’s Apollo crews had no off-the-planet company back in the 1960s and 1970s, the last time humanity set sail for deep space. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Deere & Co agrees to pay $99 million to settle 'right to repair' lawsuit. Deere & Co. has agreed to pay $99 million as part of a settlement that would resolve a class action lawsuit accusing the farm equipment giant of monopolizing repair services. The Moline, Illinois-based manufacturer, which does business under the John Deere brand, has faced a handful of “right to repair” complaints over the years. ... READ MORE

 
Weather forecast
Wednesday, April 8
 
Windy and showers
High: 70
Low: 40
Rain chance: 40%
 
Thursday, April 9
 

PM showers
High: 61
Low: 43
Rain chance: 70%

Friday, April 10
 

Partly cloudy
High: 60
Low: 43
Rain chance: 20%

 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Vietnamese Food
1. A Dong Restaurant 
2. Pho 888
3. Snack & Go
 
See all of the results
 
 

Fast Food news 
• Burger King's new Cinnamon Apple Pie is a turnover-style fried pie with a crispy crust and a warm, cinnamon apple filling. BK also added to its breakfast menu with Double Candied Maple Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissan'wich and the Candied Maple Bacon Burrito Jr.

• Arby's launched a new French Dip Royale as a premium take on the chain's signature French Dip & Swiss sandwich.

• Papa Johns added sandwiches to its menu with the launch of Oven-Toasted Sandwiches.

• Subway is running a limited-time promotion where its Sub Club members can buy a footlong sub and get one free through April 28.

• Krispy Kreme commemorated NASA's Artemis II launch by introducing its Artemis II Donut.

Deals today
• B&B Grocery, Meat and Deli (2001 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Philly cheesesteak on special today.
 
• Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola) offers Chicago dogs as today's special. 
 
• Waveland Cafe (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a wiener Wednesday special today. 
 
• Today is kielbasa day at Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni).
 
• Wednesdays are Chicago Italian beef sandwich day at Graziano Brothers (1601 S. Union St., Des Moines).
 
•  AJ's (Prairie Meadows) has a new early bird menu on Wednesday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. Half-pound burgers with frites $15, pasta and chicken dinners, $20-22, seafood and steak dinners $27-30. Prime rib dinners for $30 all night. 
 
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moine) offers Walleye Wednesday with dinners $21.
 
• Jack’s Place (6112 S.W. Ninth, Des Moines) has 10 wings for $10 Wednesdays.
 
• Mitzi's (125 Fifth, Valley Junction) offers $7 cheeseburger and fries deals on Wednesday. 
 
• Wednesday at Short E's BBQ (8805 Chambray Blvd., Johnston) the lunch special is tacos and taco salads and Wednesday evening is rib night.
 
• Fareway is offering $5 rotisserie chicken on Wednesdays. Other days they cost about $9.
 
• Whatcha Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a brisket burnt ends special on Wednesdays.
 
• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers any burger with a side for $10 on Wednesdays. 
 
• Exile (1514 Walnut St., Des Moines) offers a $12 burger basket with fries and a beer on Wednesdays. 
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $8 French toast or pancake breakfasts and $2 tacos, $9 wraps and $10 half pounds of wings on Wednesdays. 
 
• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a chicken Madeira special on Wednesdays before 4 p.m., $15 including beverage.
 
• Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines) offers 10 wings for $10 on Wednesdays and steak night, too.
 
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) has a $10 classic burger and beer all day. 
 
• Paula's (524 Elm, Valley Junction) has a Wednesday special beef stew with biscuit, $13.50.
 
• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) has all you can eat fried chicken dinners on Wednesdays, $23.99 after 5 p.m. 
 
• Wednesdays bring steak night to Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines). Steaks are cooked to order with salad, potato and bread, $14.99.
 
• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) offers hot beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy for $11.50 on Wednesday. It's also hot beef sandwich day at Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave.) where the gravy is made with pan drippings.
 
• Wine bottles are half price on Wednesdays at Trostel's Greenbriar (5910 Merle Hay Road, Johnston), Table 128 (220 S.W. Ninth, Des Moines) and The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines). 
 
• Barntown's (9500 S.E. University Ave., West Des Moines) Wednesday specials are a pound of chicken tenders with fries and two sauces for $11.99, plus $13 core pitchers of beer.
 
• Wednesday is Biryani Festival at Chowrastha (5910 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines). Buy two and a third is free.
 
• Tacos Mariana's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) and The Station (3124 Ingersoll, Des Moines) have specials on tacos today. 
 
• Village Inns offer free pie with entrees on Wednesdays. 
 
• It's lasagna day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) and breaded pork tenderloin day at Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines).
 
• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) offers $5 off pizza on Wednesdays.
 
• Kwik Stars' Wednesday special is eight pieces of fried chicken for $10. Their fried chicken is ridiculously good for a convenience store.  
 
• On Wednesdays, flatbreads are $10 at Tito's Lounge (3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale). 
 
• Jethro's have $9.95 breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches, including a side of choice, on Wednesdays.  
 
• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a Wednesday day special of chopped cheeseburger with a side for $12.

• Price Choppers have sales on russet potatoes at $1.88/5 pounds, zuchinni at $1.29/pound and navel oranges at $2.99/3 pounds through Monday.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW magazine.
 

CIVIC SKINNY
Leading in wind energy. Repurposing turbines. Resolving warrants. Avoiding measles.

By CITYVIEW staff

Iowa leads the country in wind energy, according to iSelect, a business that compares energy costs. The company reported its findings after researching renewable energy trends across the U.S. Data show Iowa’s total renewable energy share increased from 59.42% in 2020 to 65.55% in 2024, a 6.13% rise. More than 65% of Iowa’s electricity now comes from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power. The increase, however, trails several states. South Dakota ranked second, with wind energy accounting for 57.8% of its electricity, a 19% increase from 2020. New Mexico, in fifth place, saw a 17% increase.

And then there’s nuclear power. Iowa’s only nuclear power plant, the Duane Arnold Energy Center, is scheduled to reopen in 2028-2029. The plant sits on a 500-acre site on the west bank of the Cedar River, two miles north-northeast of Palo and eight miles northwest of Cedar Rapids. It was closed after damage from the 2020 derecho. …

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$435,000
5682 Long Meadow Court
Johnston, IA 50131
 
Largest lot in the development! This two story gives you the most green space available with the convenience of snow and lawn care taken care of. You are greeted by the open concept of living and kitchen space. First floor also features a dining room, den/office/bed and partial bath. ...
  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
4801 FRANKLIN AVE., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-10-29
SALE PRICE: $3,300,000
SELLER: IOWA TRUST & SAVINGS BANK
BUYER: 4801 DES MOINES LLC
ACRES: 12.100
SQUARE FEET: 213,269
 
More transactions
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: Staley says she spoke with Auriemma, wants to 'turn the page.' South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said Tuesday that she has spoken to UConn's Geno Auriemma and suggested that everyone "turn the page" after their midcourt argument at the Final Four fueled a firestorm of controversy. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: How Kirk Cousins became a bag-getting God. Kirk Cousins is, as pro football players go, a bag-getting God. That much is pretty easy to ascertain. If you fold in his latest contract with the Raiders ahead of his 15th season in the NFL, Cousins has made $341,469,288 over the course of his career — with $339,369,288 of that money earned as fully guaranteed. That’s 99.4% of the cash he has taken home as a pro, in a sport in which guaranteed dollars are a premium. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Fernando Mendoza, likely No. 1 overall pick, will reportedly not attend 2026 NFL Draft, opts to stay home. When Fernando Mendoza hears his name called during the 2026 NFL Draft later this month, he’ll do so surrounded by friends and family at home. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the likely No. 1 overall pick will stay at home in Miami and not attend the draft in Pittsburgh. ... READ MORE
 

1990: Eighteen-year-old Ryan White, national symbol of the AIDS crisis, dies. On April 8, 1990, 18-year-old Ryan White dies of pneumonia, due to having contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion. He had been given six months to live in December of 1984 but defied expectations and lived for five more years, during which time his story helped educate the public and dispel widespread misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. … READ MORE

1994: Grunge icon Kurt Cobain is found dead three days after his suicide. On April 8, 1994, rock star Kurt Cobain is found dead in his home in Seattle, Washington, with fresh injection marks in both arms and a fatal wound to the head from the 20-gauge shotgun found between his knees. … READ MORE

2005: Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph agrees to plead guilty. Eric Rudolph agrees to plead guilty to a series of bombings, including the fatal bombing at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, in order to avoid the death penalty. He later cited his anti-abortion and anti-homosexual views as motivation for the bombings. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 

Happy birthday, Randy Clarkson and Gary Ross!

These celebrities were born on this date: Dean Norris, Donita Sparks, Emma Caulfield, Ezra Koenig, John Schneider, Julian Lennon, Skai Jackson, Matty Healy, Eliana Girard, Keira Walsh, Robin Wright

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

 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What do you get when you cross a unit of data with a female pop singer? A GAGA-BYTE! -  Gail Tomlinson. Or, BIT-NEY SPEARS! - Carolyn Rogers.

Today's riddle: What message pops up on Russian computers when you can’t get a Wi-Fi signal?

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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Johnston, Iowa 50131

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