FROM KCCI: Gov. Reynolds donates blood, calls on Iowans to help address shortage. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called for Iowans to donate blood amid a national shortage this summer — and said she would “lead by example” with a donation Wednesday at LifeServe Blood Center. In late July, the American Red Cross declared a “national blood supply crisis” in the U.S. after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low. It’s the second time in history the organization has declared a national blood crisis, the first happening in January 2022. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Grimes father pleads not guilty in baby’s alleged beating death. A 23-year-old man accused of beating his infant to death during an early morning assault last Summer has pleaded not guilty in the case. Dylan James Brown, who court records show, was in the process of changing his name to “Guy Green” when the incident happened, is charged with first-degree murder, child endangerment resulting in death, and domestic abuse assault by impeding air or blood flow causing bodily injury. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa confirms first case of West Nile virus in 2026. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has identified the state's first case of West Nile virus for 2026. Officials with Iowa HHS said the case was found in an adult between 18 and 40 years old from eastern Iowa. A press release didn't specify the patient's condition at this time. Last year, HHS says there were 57 cases of West Nile in Iowa, and three of them were fatal. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Iran and the US say a Strait of Hormuz deal is close, but one or both would have to back down. Iran said Wednesday it is in the “final stage” of drafting an agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. President Donald Trump has said a deal could be announced this week. That could potentially reopen the critical waterway, ease pressure on the world economy and help bring an end to the war. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Man arrested at Trump’s California golf course faces illegal weapons charges. A California man who was arrested at President Donald Trump’s Los Angeles-area golf course was pretending to be part of the security detail preparing for Trump’s visit and had a stash of illegal weapons in his car and home, authorities said. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Waterloo man arrested after wiping buttocks on grass, vending machines at City Hall. A 35-year-old Waterloo man was caught exposing himself and wiping his buttocks on property at Waterloo City Hall. According to a criminal complaint, Caley Paul Bagby was arrested on Friday after city hall employees saw him pull his pants down past his genitals and wipe his buttocks on the grass outside the building. ... READ MORE

Historical Tour and Happy Hour at Hoyt Sherman Place
Join the Des Moines Historical Society for a special visit to historic Hoyt Sherman Place, Thursday, Aug. 6, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. Built in 1877 as the home of pioneer businessman and civic leader Hoyt Sherman, this beautifully preserved mansion and event space remains one of the city's architectural gems. During this guided tour, guests will explore the historic home, theater and art gallery; learn about its fascinating past; and discover stories that have shaped both the building and the city. After the tour, stay for a casual happy hour with fellow history enthusiasts. A cash bar will be available.

Mainframe Studios – First Friday: “Experimental and Innovative,” Friday, Aug. 7, 5-8 p.m. 900 Keo Way, Des Moines.
 
Penguin Project - Des Moines Playhouse. “Finding Nemo Jr.,” Aug. 13-16.
 
Community Jazz Center Big Band – Goodstock 2
Music of the CJC Big Band with guest singers, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2 p.m. Free admission. Groovy attire encouraged. First Presbyterian Church, Dallas Center, 1204 13th St. A portion of donations benefit the Food Pantry of Dallas Center.
 
Cemetery Tours
Woodland Cemetery Historical Tour by Archie Cook, 2019 Woodland Ave., Saturday, Aug. 8, 9-11:30 a.m. Golf Cart-Assisted Tour.  

Polk County Heritage Gallery. “The Friday Group” – Ron Dinsdale, Elizabeth Engler, Jim Engler, Tom Murphy, Nancy Prizant, Jeff Rider, Denise Wicker. Aug. 5 - Sept. 24.
 
Polk County Heritage Gallery - “By the Blade: Defining Collage.” Iowa artists are invited to submit up to five original collaged creations for an exhibit selected by juror Alyss Vernon. They are looking for: traditional collage on paper, canvas or panel; 3D assemblage and sculpture; textiles; installation art; experimental video and other media. All submitted works must be original and exhibition-ready. For this exhibition, the definition of collage is being widened to welcome works that are not just cut with a blade and pasted to a substrate. Think broadly. Anything that has been re-contexualized goes. Submissions will be open through Aug. 10. The exhibition will be on view Sept. 30 - Nov. 5.

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

Kudos
Seven Iowa breweries brought home a total of 18 medals from the 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship, one of the nation's largest professional beer competitions. Central Iowa winners included Flix Brewhouse, Confluence Brewing Co. and Exile Brewing Co. Big Grove Brewery in Cedar Rapids, Toppling Goliath in Decorah, Full Fledged Brewing Co. in Council Bluffs and Marto Brewing Co. in Sioux City also earned medals across several different categories.

Des Moines will once again host Niman Ranch's Farmer Appreciation weekend this year. It has moved the event, which honors the elite hog farmers of America, to the third week of September, back from a month earlier last year. The event annually brings top writers, world famous chefs, industry CEOs, animal welfare experts and visits to the top Iowa hog farms. 

Deals today
• The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Thursday special is baked spaghetti for $10.
 
• Thursday is $10 kebabs and wings day at Desi Bites (3828 100th St., Urbandale). 
 
• Mariana's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers pastor tacos for $2 Thursdays.
 
• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has two deals Thursday: jambalaya dinner for $15, lasagna for $10.
 
• Cowboy (1234 E. Euclid Ave., Des Moines) has ribs on special today, $2.99/per rib.
 
• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has jacket potatoes on sale Thursdays for $10.
 
• The Waveland (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) has taco salads on special today.
 
• B&B (S.E. Sixth and Hartford, Des Moines) has a Thursday special Killer's double hot Polish with fries and a soda for $12.95.
 
• Thursdays are triple decker Reuben day at Graziano Brothers (1601 S. Union St., Des Moines).
 
• Quarter pound cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches are $3.39 each on Thursdays at Kwik Star.
 
• Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Thursday special breaded pork tenderloin with fries and soda for $12.
 
• Taco pizzas are the Thursday special at Walker's Place (475 N.E. Broadway Ave., Des Moines).
 
• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering chicken pot pie specials today.
 
• Beef and noodles dinners are today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola).
 
•  AJ's (Prairie Meadows) has an 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 spaghetti dinners with 8-ounce meatballs and salad for $22 on Wednesdays.
 
• Chelsie's Courtyard Diner (100 MLK, Des Moines) has buck burgers Thursdays. $1!
 
• Istanbul Grill Cafe & Bakery (3281 100th St., Urbandale) has a Thursday special of $11.99 for a döner wrap with fries as well as $5 off döner plate which comes with Turkish salad and your choice of rice or bulgur. 
 
•  Turkey club melt on garlic focaccia with fries for $12.99 are a Thursday special at Club 2000. 
 
• Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Thursday special for $20.95 is half a fried chicken with potato, side of spaghetti, and a salad. Lunch and dinner.
 
• Mullets Norwalk offers two, two-topping pizzas for $20 on Thursdays, 4 p.m. to close.
 
• Buzzard Billy's (615 Third St., Des Moines) has $2 off appetizers on Thursdays.
 
• Whatcha Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a pork belly burnt ends special on Thursdays.
 
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $10 country fried breakfasts and $9 tenderloins or shrimp/fish tacos on Thursdays.
 
• Ruth's Chris (Ashworth Road at Jordan Creek Parkway) has a Thursday special with their decadent RBAR burgers and fries going for $16.
 
• Steak Nights: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Johnny's Italian Steakhouses (before 4 p.m.), Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola); and Hy-Vee Market Grilles. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a $12 ribeye sandwich special on Thursdays. Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) offers ribeyes and sirloins only on Thursdays after 5 p.m.
 
• Mullets has a Thursday pizza special — buy one large specialty pizza and get a free 14-inch two-topping pizza.
 
• Kids eat free at Scorno’s Pizza & Pasta (1930 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines) on Thursdays with every $15 order.
 
• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.
 
• Jethro's Thursday special is a pound of boneless "wings" for $8.
 
• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.
 
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a "Comfort Thursday" special chicken fried De Burgo, a gluten free spin on DSM's classic. $16
 
• The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.
 
• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) has $7 loaded fries on Thursdays.
 
• Buffalo Wild Wings offers two orders for the price of one Thursdays on orders of six, 10 and 15 boneless wings.

• Price Choppers has sales through Monday on cucumbers 88 cents, Kandy melons at $1.99 and frozen swai fillets at $3.49/pound.

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on sweet corn at $2.39/six, nectarines and plums at $1.49/pound, and Kandy melons at $1.89.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Sunday on top sirloin at $8.99/pound and through Tuesday on red cherries at $3.99/pound and ground beef at $3.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1787: First draft of Constitution debated. In Philadelphia, delegates to the Constitutional Convention begin debating the first complete draft of the proposed Constitution of the United States. … READ MORE

1926: Gertrude Ederle becomes first woman to swim English Channel. On August 6, 1926, on her second attempt, 20-year-old Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim the 21 miles from Dover, England, to Cape Griz-Nez across the English Channel, which separates Great Britain from the northwestern tip of France. … READ MORE

1945: American bomber drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima. On August 6, 1945, the United States becomes the first and only nation to use atomic weaponry during wartime when it drops an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Approximately 80,000 people are killed as a direct result of the blast, and another 35,000 are injured. At least another 60,000 would be dead by the end of the year from the effects of the fallout. … READ MORE

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