July 20, 2026 Des Moines Daily Umbrella Podcast

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Hello, everyone, and welcome to your Daily Umbrella podcast for July 20, 2026. We bring you the stories you need to know to start your Monday. …Let's begin with a thought from publisher Shane Goodman, who admits that patience is something he's still trying to master. He jokes that he taps his foot waiting for the microwave to finish, assumes the internet has collapsed if a webpage takes more than three seconds to load, and somehow always picks the slowest checkout line at the grocery store. His conclusion? Patience isn't about enjoying the wait. It's about recognizing that the best things in life — friendships, gardens and great barbecue — simply take time. A fitting reminder as we kick off another busy week. …Now to today's headlines. Forecasters say Monday will be the hottest day of the current stretch, with heat index values climbing between 100 and 105 degrees. There's also the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening, so be sure to stay weather aware if you have outdoor plans. …In Polk County, authorities recovered a victim Sunday from a vehicle submerged in a retention pond near Hubbell Avenue. According to investigators, a passing motorist reported seeing the vehicle leave the roadway and enter the water. The incident remains under investigation. …RAGBRAI officially rolls on this week, and organizers say electric bicycles are becoming a larger part of the annual ride. They welcome the growing number of e-bike riders because the technology allows more people — especially older cyclists — to continue participating. At the same time, organizers are reminding everyone that e-bikes are heavier and often faster than traditional bicycles, so extra caution is needed to keep all riders safe. …Around Iowa, crews continue monitoring a partial building collapse in Albia's historic town square. Officials have closed part of downtown while engineers evaluate the structure, and residents are being asked to avoid the area. …Let's check today's forecast. Expect a hot Monday with a high around 95 degrees and about a 40 percent chance of storms. Tuesday brings welcome relief with sunshine and highs in the upper 80s, while Wednesday looks even more comfortable, topping out near 82 degrees. …Now here's what's happening around town. Saigon Day Café has opened in Clive, serving Vietnamese coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches and fresh-baked treats. Johnston has welcomed Zeke's Rooftop, named after one of the community's earliest settlers. And if you're looking ahead to the weekend, don't miss the Corn Bred Cornbread Renaissance on July 25 at Riverview Park. Organizers promise concerts, competitions, exhibits and, naturally, plenty of cornbread. The Des Moines Tea Festival also arrives at Mainframe Studios on July 26. …Sports fans woke up to plenty of headlines this morning. Spain captured the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a one-to-nothing victory over Argentina in extra time. In golf, Ryan Fox earned his first major championship by winning The Open Championship after an impressive performance at Royal Birkdale. …Today also marks one of the most memorable anniversaries in American history. On this date in 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon, delivering the famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." …And before we go, today's Daily Umbrella riddle: What do vegetarians call an occasion for burping? Think you know the answer? Send your guess to [email protected] before noon today for a chance to be featured.