Sept. 3, 2026, Des Moines Daily Umbrella Podcast

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.Good morning, central Iowa. It is Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. Here is your Daily Umbrella Podcast. Let’s get started. …The Buc-ee’s battle is spreading across Iowa. After the Urbandale City Council rejected the first step toward allowing Buc-ee’s to build near Northwest 100th Street and Northpark Drive, other Iowa communities are stepping forward. Gov. Kim Reynolds says she is working to find a community willing to approve the project. And several cities apparently would be happy to take Urbandale’s place. …Authorities are investigating a plane that made an emergency landing Wednesday outside the Guthrie Center Regional Airport. A small blue-and-white, single-engine plane crashed near Redwood Avenue. WHO 13 crews were on the scene. …In Newton, at least 17 people were taken to hospitals following a potential chemical exposure incident at the Newton Correctional Facility. The Iowa Department of Corrections says emergency protocols were put in place while the incident was investigated. …Around the country, a shooting in downtown Minneapolis left three people dead, including the suspect, and five others wounded, including two Minneapolis police officers. …Here in Iowa, the University of Iowa is honoring longtime broadcaster Gary Dolphin. The radio booth at Kinnick Stadium will be named after Dolphin, who spent 30 years as the play-by-play voice for Hawkeye football and men’s basketball. …Now, let’s talk gas prices. The average price for regular unleaded in Iowa is $3.89 a gallon, down 14 cents from last week. But that is still $1.05 higher than a year ago. And if you are hunting for a bargain, Sinclair in West Des Moines is listed at $3.39 a gallon. …And now, your central Iowa weather. It is going to be hot. Really hot. Today will be partly cloudy with a high around 96 and a 20% chance of rain. Friday could reach 97, with Saturday around 95. The allergy alert is also elevated. Today’s pollen level is 11.5, in the high range. Top allergens include nettle, chenopods and ragweed. …Now for something a little more fun. Tonight, the Des Moines Symphony is hosting an art open house at Liz Lidgett Gallery and Design from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday night is First Friday at Mainframe Studios. And Saturday night, the Des Moines Symphony presents “7 Bridges: The Symphonic Eagles Experience” at 7:30 p.m. It features music from the Eagles, including “Hotel California,” “Desperado” and “Take It Easy.” Then Sunday, the symphony presents a free family festival and concert at Water Works Park, with activities beginning at 4 p.m. and the concert at 5:30. …Here is a look at today in history. On Sept. 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the American Revolution and recognizing the independence of the United States. In 1928, Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin after noticing that mold had killed bacteria on an uncovered laboratory plate. …And now, today’s morning chuckle: How do you know if an ant is a boy or a girl? 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. …That is your Daily Umbrella Podcast for Thursday, Sept. 3. Have a great Thursday. Stay cool, stay hydrated — and if your city wants that Buc-ee’s, apparently now is the time to make your pitch.