FROM KCCI: Fireworks activity keeps Des Moines crews and police busy over holiday weekend. The city of Des Moines reported that firework activity kept crews and police busy during the Independence Day weekend. City officials said five parks and trails experienced debris or damage tied to fireworks, compared to 12 incidents in 2025. Des Moines police responded to 3,375 calls for service between July 1 and July 5, marking a 12% increase from 2025. Of those calls, 300 were related to fireworks. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Name of teen killed in West Des Moines July 4 shooting released. Authorities have identified the teen killed in a shooting in West Des Moines over the holiday weekend. On July 4, the West Des Moines Police Department responded to a shooting report in the 1100 block of 20th Place. According to the WDPD, in the midst of a large party, officers located a teenager suffering from a gunshot wound. The teen was transported to a local hospital, but later died. On Monday, the WDPD identified the victim as Teonnie Tillman, 17, of Ankeny. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: 'It's just extremely hot': How local food trucks navigate heat waves. Last week, a heat wave overtook much of the U.S., including Iowa. With the heat came negative effects, like excessive sweating, dehydration, and fatigue. For local food trucks, those effects were multiplied. "It's just extremely hot like inside the food truck. It's a lot hotter in there than outside. We have the fryers going and the grills going," said May Sauceda, owner of Asian fusion food truck Banh May. ... READ MORE

By Mike Rowley

Led by the organization efforts of Benjamin Harrington, an Eagle Scout and one of the newest members of Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, a celebration of the 250th birthday of the U.S. was held at Fort Des Moines.

Almost as if by divine intervention, the reflecting pool was filled with fresh water from heavy rains only the day before.

A tour of the museum reminded us of the important history of this place. Memories of ceremonies here were shared by Compatriot Skilton, making it possible to visualize those past formal promotion ceremonies in the rooms that housed us on this day.

Visitors of all ages donned uniforms and took photos. Ideas were discussed on how to preserve and protect this important part of our past for the next generations.

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: NATO unveils billions in arms deals to prove its firepower to Trump. NATO on Tuesday showcased a series of military projects worth billions of dollars in an attempt to persuade President Donald Trump that U.S. allies are converting fresh defense spending into real firepower. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: More video expected during hearing in case against man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors seeking to convince a Utah judge to put the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk on trial are expected to present more law enforcement video and a recorded statement from the defendant’s roommate as a weeklong preliminary hearing continues Tuesday. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Auction at former Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School draws concern from alumni, former staff. An auction scheduled this month at the former Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton has alumni and former staff concerned about what items may be sold off. Pat Hamling, a former student who started at the school as a third grader in 1945, said the campus holds decades of personal history. “I graduated in ’55. Those were wonderful years of my life,” Hamling said. ... READ MORE

Tuesday touts
Prime & Providence's Sunday dinner for two includes a choice of two appetizers, two sides, two desserts and a generous steak to split for $99. That's a Wonder Bargain. 

DMACC is teaching 18 different classes this summer in hospitality. From wedding planning (with certification) to virtual convention engineering and elite floral design, six week courses prepare students for new careers in hospitality. When I was a college student, only Cornell (New York), Cal Davis and Iowa State offered degree programs in hospitality. 

Big Moe Cason of Des Moines moves from National Geographic channel to Food Network for "Pitmasters," premiering on Monday, July 13, at 8 p.m. CDT. Episodes are available on Max and Food Network GO after airing. 

Today's deals
• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) has $6 rotisserie chickens on Tuesdays. No membership fee required. 

• The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Tuesday special is chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes $10.

• Flamingo Lounge (3089 North Ave Norwalk) has half priced flatbreads on Tuesdays. 

• Tuesday is $5 chats day at Desi Bites's (3820 100th St.,, Urbandale.)

• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a beef filet tips Stroganoff special on Tuesdays, $14 including beverage. Till 4 p.m. That's our Wonder Bargain of the week.
 


• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has a deal Mondays on fried beef tacos, $3.
 


• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers half-priced appetizers on Tuesdays.
 


• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (150 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines) celebrates Tomahawk Tuesday with a choice of 35-ounce prime tomahawk or 34-ounce prime porterhouse, two salads, two sides and two desserts. $162.
 


• Waveland Cafe (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) offers Italian subs special today.
  


• B&B Grocery, Meat and Deli (2001 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special Killer's grinder with fries and soda $11.95.
 


• Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St.) has a $12 double smash with fries and soda every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 


• All pizzas are half priced at Maggie's Rumble Room (1432 Second Ave., Des Moines) 5-9 p.m. on Tuesdays.
 


• Chicken and noodles are today's special at Crouse Cafe  (115 E. Salem, Indianola).
 


• It's steak night at Grand Junction (1970 Grand Ave., West Des Moines). Steak, salad and potato $13.99.

• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers fried chicken dinner special on Tuesdays, $17-23, plus half-priced whiskey pours.
 


• Mullet’s Norwalk offers a free kids meal per adult meal on Tuesdays 4 p.m. to close.
 


• Mickey's Irish Pub (50 S.E. Laurel St., Waukee) has a special $7 half-pound burger with a side all day Tuesday. 
 


• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers a "Tendy's Tuesday" pork tenderloin basket with a drink for $11.50.
 


• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special pork tenderloin with a side for $10.
 


• Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special cheeseburger with fries, tots or salad and a drink for $10.
 


• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $7 breakfasts and $8 burgers Tuesdays.
 


• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) offers a special smashburger with cheese, fries and a draft beer for $12 on Tuesdays.
 


• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a beef stroganoff special on Tuesdays, $14 including beverage.
 


• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts 222 BBQ today from 5-9 p.m.
 


• Baklava is half priced Tuesdays at Istanbul Cafe and Bakery (3281 100th, Urbandale). 
 


• Red Robin stores are featuring a $10 cheeseburger with an "endless side" on Tuesdays.
 


• Jethro's Tuesday special is 2 pounds of bone-in smoked wings for the price of one. 
 


• Kids meals are half price till 2 p.m. today at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale).  
 


• Taco Tuesday brings serious discounts to La Familia (1610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines), all Taco John's, all Abelardo's, all Fernando’s, Baja Cocina (1938 SE Sixth, Des Moines), Malo (900 Mulberry St., Des Moines), Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines), Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines), The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines), Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines), Jack's Place Grill & Bar, (6112 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines), Paula's (Elm Street at 6th, Valley Junction) and both Faustino's. 
 


• Most Hy-Vees offer $6 two entrees Chinese deli meals on Tuesdays. 
 


• Today is beef and noodles day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines).

 — Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1930: Preliminary work begins on the Hoover Dam. On July 7, 1930, building begins on the future site of the Hoover Dam. Over the next five years, a total of 21,000 men would work ceaselessly to produce what would be the largest dam of its time, as well as one of the largest manmade structures in the world. … READ MORE

1865: Mary Surratt is first woman executed by U.S. federal government. Mary Surratt is executed for her role as a conspirator in Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. She is the first woman put to death by the U.S. government. Surratt, who owned a tavern in Surrattsville (now Clinton), Maryland, had to convert her row house in Washington, D.C., into a boardinghouse as a result of financial difficulties. Located a few blocks from Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was murdered, this house served as the place where a group of Confederate supporters, including John Wilkes Booth, conspired to assassinate the president. … READ MORE

2005: Terrorists attack London transit system at rush hour. On the morning of July 7, 2005, bombs are detonated in three crowded London subways and one bus during the peak of the city’s rush hour. The synchronized suicide bombings, which were thought to be the work of al-Qaeda, killed 56 people including the bombers and injured another 700. It was the largest attack on Great Britain since World War II. No warning was given. … READ MORE

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