Aug. 28, 2026, Des Moines Daily Umbrella Podcast

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Good morning, Des Moines. Today is Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, and this is The Daily Umbrella Podcast. Here is what is happening around central Iowa today. …More than 100 Marshalltown residents turned out for a public meeting about a potential data center development. The biggest concerns? Environmental impacts and what the project could mean visually for the community. Residents questioned what the proposed development would look like, where it would be located and what it could bring to the area. The project is still in the discussion stage, but the turnout shows that residents are paying close attention. …The city of Des Moines is looking at $11.5 million in budget cuts over the next two fiscal years. More than 43 city jobs could be affected, including positions being eliminated as the city works to reduce spending. City Manager Scott Sanders says 15 people have already been laid off as officials look for ways to balance the budget. That means fewer dollars — and potentially fewer people — providing city services in the years ahead. …A group of Warren County landowners is celebrating after a judge ruled in their favor following an eight-month legal battle. The case involved rezoning approved by the Warren County Board of Supervisors to allow a gun club to open. The judge ruled that the rezoning was done illegally. …And now for a name that may take some getting used to. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of the Interior to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” in the United States. The move comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Canada. There is one small problem for anyone hoping the new name catches on everywhere: The United States cannot force Canada to use it. So, if you are visiting the Canadian side, you might want to stick with Lake Ontario. ...Today will be mostly sunny, with a high of 85 and a low of 69. There is a 20% chance of rain. Saturday brings scattered storms, with a high of 88 and a low of 76 and a 30% chance of rain. Sunday could be the hottest day of the weekend, with clouds, wind and a high near 94. The rain chance is 30%. Today's top allergens are nettle, chenopods and ragweed. …On Aug. 28, 1917, women’s suffragists picketed outside the White House, demanding that President Woodrow Wilson support a constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. In 1952, the presidential campaign was dominated by the Red Scare and accusations about communism in America. And in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington. About 250,000 people attended the event, which called for voting rights, equal opportunity and an end to racial segregation and discrimination. …Yesterday, readers tackled this morning chuckle question: Why should you never drink toilet water? The answer? Number one and number two! Today's question: What keeps a dock floating above the water? Think you know the answer? Send your guess to [email protected] before noon today for a chance to be featured in the next edition. And be sure to subscribe to our full email version of The Daily Umbrella for free at www.TheDailyUmbrella.com.