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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026
Good morning to you! 

I have mixed feelings about wind turbines. Many of you likely do, too. Driving across Iowa recently reminded me why. There is something about watching those enormous blades rotate that makes me envision daggers being thrown at a person strapped to a spinning wheel. And, frankly, I feel like the target. It is not exactly the most comforting roadside scenery. Still, it is difficult to argue with the success Iowa has had generating electricity from the wind.

The numbers are staggering. In 2024, Iowa had roughly 13,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity, and wind turbines generated 62.84% of the state’s electricity. In other words, about six of every 10 electrons produced in Iowa came courtesy of something spinning in the breeze.

And there are a lot of things spinning. As of August 2024, Iowa had 6,481 wind turbines. They are not scattered randomly across the state. Northern and western Iowa have some of the strongest and most consistent winds, which explains why those areas are increasingly populated with these oversized pinwheels planted in the middle of cornfields.

Adair County led the state with about 1,133 megawatts of wind capacity from 528 turbines. Other major wind-producing counties include Buena Vista, Cherokee, Worth, Cerro Gordo, Wright, Pocahontas, O’Brien, Clay and Sac.

You don’t have to drive far west of the Des Moines metro before the landscape starts changing. The cornfields remain. The soybean fields remain. But suddenly there are also structures tall enough to make a 100-foot grain bin look like a garden shed.

Iowa’s wind story began decades ago. In 1983, Iowa became the first state to adopt a renewable-energy standard, requiring investor-owned utilities to purchase a specified amount of electricity from renewable sources. In 1993, Waverly Light and Power installed an 80-kilowatt wind turbine. Two larger turbines followed near Alta in 1999. Then the industry really took off.

The reasons were not complicated. Iowa had excellent wind, wide-open land, federal tax incentives, favorable state policies, an established electrical grid and plenty of landowners willing to lease acreage. Best of all, the turbines could coexist with agriculture. A farmer can still raise corn and soybeans around a turbine while collecting lease payments.

And these are not your grandfather’s windmills. The turbines near Alta stand roughly 26 stories tall, with blades approaching the wingspan of a jumbo jet. Modern turbines can have towers hundreds of feet high and blades longer than a football field. They appear to turn slowly, almost lazily, as you drive past. Don’t be fooled. The tips of some blades can travel more than 100 mph.

The most remarkable fact may be how in 2019, Iowa’s wind turbines generated more electricity than the state’s coal-fired power plants for the first time. By 2024, wind was producing nearly three times as much electricity as coal. So, perhaps Iowa’s wind has not changed nearly as much as we have. The old farm windmill once used the breeze to pump water. Today, its enormous descendants turn that same Iowa wind into electricity for hundreds of thousands of homes. That is quite an evolution.

Meanwhile, I still have my daggers-and-spinning-wheel problem. Every time I drive near those giant blades, I can’t help but feel as if someone has put me on the wheel and started throwing. The difference is, these days, those daggers are keeping the lights on.

Have a watchful Wednesday, and thank you 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: Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy continues across Iowa through free books. Dolly Parton was known around the world for her music, but her legacy is also arriving in Iowa mailboxes every month. The country music legend died Tuesday at age 80 after a career that spanned six decades. Beyond her work as a singer, songwriter and actress, Parton was a philanthropist whose Imagination Library has provided free books to young children across the country and around the world. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Pilot program to provide storage lockers for people experiencing homelessness. The Des Moines City Council unanimously approved a six-month pilot program with the goal of providing people experiencing homelessness a secure place to store important personal belongings. St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines will operate the program, which will provide 12 gym-sized lockers at its location on 1426 6th Ave, just north of downtown. The lockers will give people a place to store important items such as birth certificates, identification and other personal belongings. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Multiple Des Moines schools dismissing early after water main break, part of Douglas Avenue closed. Seven schools in Des Moines dismissed students early on Tuesday because of a water main break on the city's north side.
Cowles Montessori, Hillis Elementary, Hoover High, Hubbell Elementary, Meredith Middle, Moore Elementary and Perkins Elementary dismissed students at 10 a.m., according to Des Moines Public Schools, and the families of the affected schools were notified. ... READ MORE

 
 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Canada strikes back at US with retaliatory tariffs as trade war escalates. Canada struck back at the United States on Tuesday with retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of American goods, including steel, dairy products, appliances and farm equipment, as the trade war between the once-friendly neighbors escalated sharply. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: In a divided America, the left and right unite to oppose artificial intelligence data centers. In rural eastern Nebraska, a technology revolution could rise from fields of corn and soybean in the form of new data centers to power the artificial intelligence boom. But just like around many parts of the country, opposition has been building in ways that defy typical partisan boundaries. Conservative farmers and the state Sierra Club chapter recently found common cause against labor leaders as they filled the firehouse in Murdock — population around 275 — to share concerns about data center development moving too quickly. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Motorcycle crash in Winneshiek County kills Waterloo man, 65. A motorcyclist died after his bike went off a curve on Old Stage Road near Freeport on Saturday. Winneshiek County investigators say the crash happened just before 6 p.m. The rider was taken to Winmed in Decorah, where he was pronounced dead. He has been identified as 65-year-old Russell Knudson of Waterloo. Investigators have not yet determined what led to the crash. ... READ MORE

 
Weather forecast
Wednesday, August 26
 
Mostly sunny
High: 83
Low: 63
Rain chance: 0%
Thursday, August 27
 

Mostly sunny
High: 83
Low: 64
Rain chance: 0%

Friday, August 28
 

Mostly sunny
High: 86
Low: 68
Rain chance: 20%

 
Allergy alert
 
Today: 10.9, high range
 
Top allergens:
Nettle
Chenopods
Ragweed
 
 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Party/Event Transportation
1. 515 Party Bus
2. Front Row Transportation
3. Charters on Vine
 
See all of the results
 
 

Woebegone Wednesday
In a more perfect world...
• Des Moines Register would give Susan Stapleton and Courtney Crowder a paid vacation at a vegan spa to recuperate from their heroic coverage of junk food at the Iowa State Fair. 

• Iowa media would tout the excellence of our food rather than its most indulgent excesses.

• Politicians would be forbidden to use all forms of the word “fight” in their campaign ads and would instead use the words “solve” and “cure.”

• People, especially politicians, would be outraged that Iowa's nitrate drinking water violations doubled in 2025 in comparison to the previous year, according to the Iowa DNR. At least enough to measure where in the rivers that feed Des Moines Water Works the nitrates originate.

Deals today
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers walleye dinner specials for $21 Wednesdays. 
 
• Fareways have a half-priced watermelon sale on Wednesdays for $2.99. 
 
• High Life Lounge (200 Second St., Des Moines) has a Wednesday special chicken fried steak for $11.99. 
 
• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) has $6 half slabs of ribs on Wednesdays. 
 
• Crouse Cafe's (111 E. Salem, Indianola) special today is breaded pork chops.
 
• Sale Barn's (Lamoni) special today is fried chicken with potato salad.
 
• The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Wednesday special is meatball sandwiches for $9.
 
• Wednesday is biryani day with two for $20 at Desi Bites (3828 100th St.,, Urbandale.
 
• Mariana's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers asada tacos for $2 Wednesdays.
 
• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has a rib dinner deal Mondays, half slabs for $12, full racks $16. 
 
• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has hamburgers for $7 on Wednesdays.
 
• B&B Grocery, Meat and Deli (2001 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has Philly cheesesteak on special today. 



• Waterfont's Wednesday special this week is monkfish.
 
• Waveland Cafe (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a wiener Wednesday special today. 
 
• 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. 
 
• Hy-Vees offer second sushi rolls for half price on Wednesdays.
 
• Paula's (Elm Street at Sixth, Valley Junction) has a Wednesday Cuban sandwich special.
 
• Jack’s Place (6112 S.W. Ninth, Des Moines) has 10 wings for $10 Wednesdays.
 
• Wednesday at Short E's BBQ (8805 Chambray Blvd., Johnston) the special is ribs - $15 full racks, $10 half racks and $5 off rib dinners.
 
• 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. 
 
• Toad's (302 State Ave., Des Moines) special today is wings with two sides for $12.
 
• 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.
 
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) has a $10 classic burger and beer all day. 
 
• 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) and The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines). 
 
• G Mig's (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers a Wednesday special lasagna plus salad and garlic bread for $19.25.
 
• 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.
 
• 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 special of chopped cheeseburger with a side for $12.

• Price Choppers have sales through Monday on frozen tilapia fillets at $4.99/pound, blueberries at $2.50/pint and pork butt roasts at $1.50/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
Featured in the current issue of Grimes/Dallas Center Living magazine.
 

CAPTURING THE MOMENT
Local photographers find beauty in everyday life and unexpected places.

By Ashley Rullestad

For some, photography is a way to preserve memories. Others find it a creative outlet or even an adventure into the unknown. For local photographers, it is all of that and more. From capturing everyday moments to embracing the beauty of nature and the cosmos, each has found a unique perspective through the lens.

Sports shots
Kaden Krebs, a recent high school graduate, is drawn to sports and storytelling, and photography became a way to combine his passions.

“I started taking pictures at local sporting events and quickly realized I loved capturing those split-second moments that people might otherwise miss,” he said. “Over time, I kept practicing, upgraded my equipment, and had the opportunity to cover a variety of sporting events through my high school newspaper and livestreams.” ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
 
Post listings here for only $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.
 
$450,000

600 11th Ave.
Slater, IA 50244

 
Natural light abounds in this beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 3-bath home, ideally located near Slater's Southside Park and the iconic High Trestle Trail. Situated in the desirable Ballard School District, this home offers the perfect blend of thoughtful upgrades, inviting spaces, and an exceptional location. ...
  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
6025 S.E. 14TH ST., DES MOINES
DATE: 2026-03-20
SALE PRICE: $2,675,000
SELLER: STICKFORT REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC
BUYER: EXCHANGERIGHT ESSENTIAL INCOME 10 DST
ACRES: 0.836
SQUARE FEET: 9,963
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: SEC draws rule to stop NFL, NBA, WNBA players from returning. The SEC joined the Big Ten on Tuesday in its unanimous opposition to athletes leaving the NFL and returning to college teams, swiftly passing a new conference rule that gives commissioner Greg Sankey full authority to enforce it "with penalties." During an in-person meeting with league presidents, chancellors and athletic directors, the SEC took it even further than the Big Ten, prohibiting anyone who has previously declared for professional basketball from rejoining college athletics without appropriately withdrawing. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: They might not all be title contenders, but these 25 college football teams are must watch. College football is full of high-quality play, pageantry, shenanigans and plenty of unexplainable moments. Each and every year, we sign up for yet another season because there’s no sport quite like it. But with 138 FBS programs, it’s highly unlikely that you can dedicate the time to watch every single game of every single team. So what if you were in a pinch and had the time to watch just one team? Introducing, Sports Illustrated’s college football watchability rankings for the 2026 season. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: At least 25% of former NFL players who died from 2016-2021 had CTE, according to new study. A new study of NFL players who had played in at least one of the league's games and died between 2016-2021 showed at least 25% of them had CTE. The study from researchers at Mass General Brigham — published Tuesday in The British Medical Journal — deepens the link between the head impacts NFL players suffer and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease known as CTE. ... READ MORE
 
 

1939: First televised Major League Baseball game. On Aug. 26, 1939, the first televised Major League baseball game is broadcast on station W2XBS, the station that was to become WNBC-TV. Announcer Red Barber called the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. … READ MORE

1978: “Grease” movie soundtrack earns its second #1 hit. On Aug. 26, 1978, Frankie Valli’s “Grease”—reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. the second chart-topping hit from the album of the same name. … READ MORE

2016: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick sits during national anthem. At an NFL preseason game on Aug. 26, 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick remains seated as other players stand to observe the national anthem. This simple action, which Kaepernick makes no attempt to broadcast to the public, gives rise to a controversy that will bring to light the racial tensions within American sports, determine the fate of Kaepernick’s football career and reverberate across the sporting world for years to come. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 
These celebrities were born on this date: Chris Pine, Macaulay Culkin, Melissa McCarthy, Dylan O'Brien, Keke Palmer, Cassie, John Mulaney, Branford Marsalis, Thalía, Amanda Schull, James Harden, Akiko Wakabayashi, Alison Steadman, Brett Cullen, Candy Moore
 
Historical birthdays
819: Prince Albert – Prince Consort of the United Kingdom and husband of Queen Victoria.
 
1873: Lee de Forest – American inventor who created the Audion vacuum tube, making radio and sound film possible.
 
1874: Zona Gale – American novelist and the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: What song is it when a guy throws his laptop into the ocean? Adele, “Rollin’ in the Deep” - Gail Tomlinson

Today's riddle:  What happens when you get water on a table?

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

 

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Johnston Living magazine, contact:

Andrea Hodapp
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 322
Mobile: 515-883-0523
andrea@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

 

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