DU July 31: CyTown project delayed to 2028; police identify body recovered from Halice Lake; what kind of music do aliens like?

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Friday, July 31, 2026

Good morning to you!

Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by readers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“It's true that you are never too old to learn (Learn something new every day, July 21, 2026). I am a good example. I was raised to realize education and accrued knowledge are never a waste of time. But, I am also a good example of not wanting to continue to learn new technology. Bah, humbug. I'm now old enuf for others to learn that for me. Give me the old days. I intend to give up on that kind of learning and just relax without tensions and frustrations, thus enjoying the short time I have left. I do wonder, though, what my tombstone will read.” - Margaret

This is why you can order and prepay for those things. Of course, I haven’t done it either. - Shane

“Good morning, Shane. Traveling along the New Jersey Turnpike near Newark, only four lanes then versus 12 now, was always an eye-watering experience (Clean air, clean water, July 22, 2026). The sulfur smell and whatever the mace-like ingredients were in the air made our eyes water like an east-sider disobeying a state trooper the first Friday of the Iowa State Fair. The refinery along the turnpike produced those pollutants. Environmental regulations make the air tolerable now. As to the rivers, my uncle recently reminded me that my grandfather used to hunt frogs in the sandy Hackensack River. Years of sewage have coated the bottom of it. George Washington once stayed nearby in the Von Steuben House on its banks. It is such a HazMat sight now, dredging it to move the USN Ling, a WWII submarine, is far too expensive. The once-hoped-for museum piece is destined for the cutting torch.” - John

Suddenly, our pig manure doesn’t smell so awful. - Shane

“But don’t plan on swimming in the lake at the state park where you set up your RV (Clean air, clean water, July 22, 2026).” - Bill

Unfortunately, that’s solid advice. - Shane

“It should not be lost on any of us that the further removed we are from an agrarian society, the general work ethic has diminished (A cow’s vacation, July 23, 2026). A decade ago I was walking through a store and saw a young person wearing a T-shirt that stated: ‘I don't need a job. I need money.’ In a broader sense, it's a predictive life statement for a growing number in the current era, I think, and troublesome on many social, economic, health and political fronts. On the other hand, it is clear that escalating food, health and transportation costs have far exceeded income growth, and while the government really ought not be doing much on the income side, there is plenty of undone work on the regulatory side when it comes to over-consolidation and excessive profiteering. Underlying the ‘I don't need a job. I need money’ statement is the deeply rooted belief that there is no way to catch up, let alone get ahead, and that might actually be true because it sure seems as if the big guys are squeezing every dime they can, in every way they can, out of the little guys. An example is that oil was $85/barrel this week and the price of a gallon of regular unleaded was around $3.85 in Iowa. Over the past 20 years, when oil was at $85/barrel, the average price of a gallon of gas was $3.25. Perhaps we should make T-shirts that say, ‘I bust my rear. Profiteers take my money. Congress included.’ ” - Brad

Great points, but the cow is still not getting a vacation. - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman

President and 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: Iowa State's CyTown project delayed to 2028 with groundbreaking this fall. Members of the Iowa Board of Regents have been invited to CyTown’s groundbreaking at Iowa State University this fall, though the timeline for the development’s completion has been pushed back into 2028. Michael Norton, general counsel and senior advisor to the president at ISU, told board members Wednesday that the projected time for completion of the CyTown development has been moved from the fourth quarter of 2027 to the first quarter of 2028, but the planned Sept. 2 groundbreaking for the bulk of the project will bring with it a more concrete timeline. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Urbandale Police identify body recovered from Halice Lake. Urbandale Police have identified the body that was recovered from Halice Lake last week. On July 24, Urbandale Police reported that a person had been unresponsive in the water around 10 a.m. at Lake Halice near the 2700 block of 86th Street. Upon arrival, the Urbandale Fire Department recovered the body of an adult male from the water. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Repeated power outages in southeast Des Moines highlight need for preparedness. East Watrous Avenue and Indianola Avenue in Des Moines was the site of a crash that knocked power out for many southside residents about a week ago. Since then, there's been more outages, and with extreme temperatures, that can be dangerous. Southeast Des Moines has seen four different outages in a two-week time frame. That's something that Geoff Greenwood with MidAmerican Energy
Company says was quite unusual. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Palestinian authorities ask Supreme Court to halt $656M judgment pending aQuake survivors in southwestern Japan sleep in cars in sweltering heat as death toll rises to 34. Thousands of survivors of a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan spent Friday in crowded shelters or sleeping in cars as they faced shortages of water and fuel and punishing summer temperatures that stoked fears of heat-related illness. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Colin Gray, who gave his son the gun used in Georgia school shooting, is sentenced to 15 years. A man who gave his son the gun he used to kill two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Georgia was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison. Colin Gray’s sentencing comes days after his son, Colt Gray, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the Sept. 4, 2024, shooting at the school 45 miles (70 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. Colt Gray, 16, had pleaded guilty to murder and other charges. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Iowa toddler in critical condition after being hit by vehicle driven by her mother. A Coon Rapids family is asking for prayers after a 15-month-old girl was hit by a car Monday night and remains in critical condition. Police said Mia Mauricio was struck around 8 p.m. when she was in the path of an SUV driven by her mother, who did not see her. Family members began CPR before an ambulance arrived, and Mia was flown to an Omaha hospital with life-threatening injuries. ... READ MORE

Friday, July 31

Scattered showers
High: 78
Low: 65
Rain chance: 70%

Saturday, Aug. 1

Clouds clearing
High: 81
Low: 65
Rain chance: 0%

Sunday, Aug. 2

Sunny
High: 85
Low: 64
Rain chance: 0%

Allergy alert

Today: 0.7, low range

Top allergens:

Nettle

Cattail

Grasses

See more: https://www.pollen.com/forecast/current/pollen/50301

The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®

Best Local Margarita
1. Coa Cantina
2. Iowa Distilling Company
3. Mi Mexico

See all of the results

Health news
Coffee, yes. Red Bull, no? The American Heart Association (AHA), whose experts who told us for decades that trans fats were better for you than butter and cream, now proclaim that up to five cups of coffee a day may have benefits for heart health. Three to five 8-ounce cups daily, or around 400 milligrams of caffeine, is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, heart failure, stroke and Type 2 diabetes, according to the AHA. AHA also noted that energy drinks often contain much higher amounts of caffeine than coffee but that consuming them can lead to irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure.

More than 40% of individuals with atypical anorexia nervosa (where all criteria for anorexia are met except the individual is not underweight) reported using a GLP-1. “They used GLP-1s to lose weight. They ended up in treatment for anorexia.” That Wall Street Journal headline sounded scary, but is it? Some stats: Within two years of beginning GLP-1 treatment, 1.275% of patients developed a documented eating disorder. Out of the patients who developed an eating disorder in that timeframe, anorexia nervosa made up the largest share, accounting for roughly 52% of the diagnoses. Approximately 11% of individuals diagnosed with strict anorexia nervosa report using a GLP-1 medication.

Weekend deals
• Exile offers half-priced kids meals on Fridays.

•Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) has $6 buckets of eight pieces of baked chicken on Fridays.

• Desi Bites (1475 S.E. Bishop Drive, Waukee) has weekend specials on nine biryanis and five pulavs.

• Marianna's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers green enchiladas combos for $10 Fridays and Saturdays and four shrimp tacos for $12 Sundays.

• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has a steak dinner deal Friday $16.

• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has wings on sale Fridays for $8.

• Waveland Cafe (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) offers hot beef sundae specials today.

• Friday lunch special is $12 Italian beef with fries and soda, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines).

• Friday is ramen day at Wilson Orchard & Farm (3201 15th Ave., Cumming).

• Most Hy-Vees offer $5 fish and chips Fridays, $14 ribs Saturdays and eight-piece chicken buckets for $10 on Sundays.

• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering sweet and sour chicken specials today.

• Machine Shed (11151 Hickman, Urbandale) offers smoked prime rib on Saturday only. Whatcha Smokin? (Luther) offers smoked Dino beef ribs on Saturday only.

• Catfish is today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola). Sunday's is fried chicken.

• Saturday is wine sampling day at Graziano Brothers.

• ShortE's BBQ (8805 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) offers "kids eat free" deals on Friday and Saturday.

• Amruth (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) has 20 dishes on their Saturday and Sunday buffet, noon to 4 p.m. Of course, there will be dosas.

• Waterfront stores' Saturday special includes cocktail shrimp or raw oysters on the half shell for half price until 4 p.m.
  
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers Surf & Turf specials Fridays and $33 prime rib dinners Saturdays.

• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) does Saturday and Sunday brunch buffets for $24.99 for adults. Kids 6 and younger eat free.

• Rube's steakhouses offer a prime sirloin special on Sundays only, $29.

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $9 Philly cheesesteaks or hot honey chicken plus $8 biscuit and gravy breakfasts on Fridays.

• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) offers walleye or steak dinner specials tonight and karaoke after 9 p.m. They have a 10 for $10 wings deal on Sundays.

• Jethro's Sunday special is burger baskets with fries for $9.95. Fridays they have Buffalo turkey sandwiches with a side for $9.95.

• Paula's (Elm at Sixth, Valley Junction) has a Friday special Rachel (turkey Reuben) with fries for $14.

• Heavenly Asian (225 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has an all-day Friday sale on orange chicken served with soup, crab Rangoon, egg roll and rice, $14, available for dine-in and phone carry-out.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a $40 prime rib dinner special Friday and Saturday.

• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.

• It's French dip Friday at Club 2000 (420 Indianola Road, Des Moines).

• Price Choppers have sales through Monday on watermelons at $3.99, Kandy melons at $2.99/pound and frozen tilapia fillets at $4.99/pound.

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on green grapes at $1.29/pound, peaches at $1.39/pound, and boneless chicken thighs at $2.49/pound.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Sunday on prime boneless ribeyes at $19.99/pound and through Tuesday on mini watermelons at $3.99 and 16/20 shrimp at $4.99/pound.

• Fareways have specials through Saturday on boneless chicken breast at $2.99/pound, Iowa chops at $1.99/pound and Romaine hearts at 3/$3.88.

Dinner with a show
Drew Peer plays Kelly's Little Nipper at 7 Friday... El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m... Willie Shay plays Simon’s at 7 p.m. Friday... Joel Baker plays Exile Brewing Sunday at 5 p.m.... Fred Gazzo Quintet plays at Anna Dolce at 6:30 p.m. Saturday... Kelly O’Brien -The Dolly (Parton Tribute) Show plays at The Ingersoll at 5:30 p.m.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of Ankeny Living magazine.

Backyard adventures
Unique play spaces spark local kids’ imaginations.

By Jackie Wilson

In backyards across the community, simple ideas are turning into unforgettable childhood spaces. Whether perched in a towering tree or built at ground level, these play areas invite creativity, independence and hours of outdoor fun.

A playset sharing
Amy Bear’s neighbors bought a used playset from friends, fixed it up, and stained and painted it. A few years later, their twin girls outgrew it, and they asked whether the Bear family wanted it. The neighbors sold it to them and helped move it up the hill to their backyard.

“During COVID, it saved our family. I’ll never forget the day my husband took our daughters to the neighborhood park and texted a picture saying it was closed because of COVID. My girls and I played on it almost every day during the pandemic.”

Since then, Amy’s husband has expanded the playset. After a close friend across the street lost her husband, her two boys began spending more time playing with the Bear children. The kids often argued over the swings, so he added more. The playset now has six swings — four for their children and two for the boys. He also added a climbing wall, a platform with benches and extended the monkey bars. ...

Featured home for sale

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

$625,000
204 41st St. S.W.
Altoona, IA 50009

Introducing the Jonas Ranch, a thoughtfully designed modern ranch blending style, comfort, and everyday functionality. This open-concept plan features approximately 1,800 sq ft on the main level with a spacious 3-car garage, soaring great room, and designer kitchen with large island perfect for gathering and entertaining. ...

See the listing here.

See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

1517 N. ANKENY BLVD., ANKENY
SALE DATE: 2026-01-09
SALE PRICE: $850,000
SELLER: KMG PROPERTIES 2400 LLC
BUYER: SCHUESSLER ENTERPRISES INC
ACRES: 0.921
SQUARE FEET: 6,804

More transactions

FROM ESPN: Deebo Samuel returning to 49ers on 1-year deal. With concern about the status of receiver Ricky Pearsall's injured right knee, the San Francisco 49ers are turning to a familiar face, bringing back wideout Deebo Samuel to the place where he began his career. Sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Thursday night that the 49ers and Samuel reached agreement on a one-year deal that could be worth up to $7 million. ... READ MORE

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: The WNBA has another embarrassing situation on its hands. The WNBA continues to be in the news for all the wrong reasons. That continued Thursday when the league put out a ridiculous statement about a video it posted on social media earlier in the week that showed two of its best players placing a bet on their game. In case you missed it, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese were shown in the video placing a $400 wager on Wednesday night’s Wings-Dream game. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Tigers reportedly calling up top prospect Max Clark. Top prospect Max Clark is reportedly being called up by the Detroit Tigers, according to Baseball America's Emily Waldon. The 21-year-old Clark, MLB's 13th-ranked prospect, will join the team as it begins a nine-game road trip against the Athletics on Friday. ... READ MORE

1941: Preparations for the Final Solution begin. On July 31, 1941, Hermann Göring, writing under instructions from Hitler, ordered Reinhard Heydrich, SS general and Heinrich Himmler’s number-two man, “to submit to me as soon as possible a general plan of the administrative material and financial measures necessary for carrying out the desired final solution of the Jewish question.” … READ MORE

1964: Ranger 7 photographs moon. Ranger 7, an unmanned U.S. lunar probe, takes the first close-up images of the moon — 4,308 in total — before it impacts with the lunar surface northwest of the Sea of Clouds. The images were 1,000 times as clear as anything ever seen through earth-bound telescopes. … READ MORE

1975: Labor leader Jimmy Hoffa is reported missing. On the morning of July 31, 1975, James Riddle Hoffa, one of the most influential American labor leaders of the 20th century, is officially reported missing after he failed to return home the previous night. Though he is popularly believed to have been the victim of a Mafia hit, conclusive evidence was never found and Hoffa’s fate remains a mystery. … READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: B. J. Novak, Bill Berry, Dean Cain, Dirk Blocker, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Lil Uzi Vert, Rico Rodriquez, Wesley Snipes, Zac Brown, JK Rowling, AJ Green, Matt Shadows

Historical birthdays

George Henry Thomas (born 1816): Renowned Union Army General in the American Civil War, famously nicknamed the "Rock of Chickamauga".

Mary Vaux Walcott (born 1860): American artist and naturalist celebrated for her highly detailed watercolor illustrations of native wildflowers.

Milton Friedman (born 1912): American economist and Nobel Prize winner.

The answer to the last riddle: What kind of music is played inside the vehicle? CAR-TUNES! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, Road Songs! - Rex Post. Or, Car-aoke! - Anne Lentz. The Rolling Stone! - Bill Snyder. Or, Autoharps! - Irving Stone.

Today's riddle: What kind of music do aliens like?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com BY NOON to be sure your answer gets included!

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Winterset Living magazine, 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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