Sept. 4, 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 Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. Here is your Daily Umbrella Podcast morning update. Let’s get started. …If you drive through the Southwest Mixmaster in West Des Moines, get ready for some changes. Closures and intermittent lane reductions are beginning as preparation gets underway for a $146 million renovation of the interchange. The three-year project will add two flyover bridges to the Southwest Mixmaster, similar to the ones at the East Mix and near Ames. The project also will add a lane to Interstate 235 between 50th Street and Valley West Drive, along with ramp improvements. …Around the state, Lincoln Savings Bank is planning to merge with Kansas-based Equity Bank. The deal is valued at about $124 million and is expected to close by the end of the year. Lincoln’s 16 locations in the Cedar Valley and Des Moines metro areas are expected to become Equity Bank locations in spring 2027. The good news for customers: Equity says there are no planned branch closings or consolidations. …And now for some Iowa Nice. Choose Iowa says its Local Food for Schools Program is providing $200,000 to help Iowa schools buy food grown and raised in the state. The program was made permanent through the 2026 Iowa Farm Act, creating new markets for Iowa farmers and food businesses. Iowa also is expanding its free nitrogen soil sampling program for farmers, including those in central Iowa and the Des Moines area. …And here is some good news for local track and field fans. Waukee Northwest High School coach Ben Duea has been named the 2026 National High School Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year. He is the first coach from Iowa to receive the honor. Duea just completed his fifth year at Northwest, where he coaches girls track and teaches special education. This fall, he will coach girls basketball. …Now, let’s check the weather. Saturday will be partly cloudy, with a high of 94 and a low of 74. There is a 20% chance of rain. Sunday looks similar: partly cloudy, a high of 93, a low of 73 and a 20% chance of rain. Monday stays partly cloudy, with a high of 90, a low of 71 and a 20% rain chance. And if your nose has already figured out that fall is coming, the allergy alert is in the high range today, with a pollen level of 11.7. The top allergens are nettle, chenopods and ragweed. …Today in history: On Sept. 4, 1951, President Harry Truman delivered a speech in San Francisco that became the first television program broadcast from coast to coast. And on this date in 1957, Arkansas National Guard troops blocked nine Black students from entering Little Rock Central High School. The event became a major test of the federal government's commitment to school desegregation. …And finally, today’s morning chuckle. Yesterday’s riddle asked how you know if an ant is a boy or a girl. One answer: Toss it in the water. If it sinks, it’s a girl. If it floats, it’s a buoy-ant! Today’s question: What classical ballet did the pig pen perform? 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’s your Daily Umbrella Podcast morning update for Friday, Sept. 4. Have a great Friday — and a great weekend.