FROM KCCI: Iowa students will return to class with cell phone restrictions. There are some big statewide changes taking effect in the 2025-26 school year after a busy legislative session. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 782 into law on April 30, which requires schools to create a policy restricting the use of electronic devices. While some districts around central Iowa already had bans on cell phones, it's now mandatory to restrict cell phones and some other electronic devices during class time. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: DMPD conducting death investigation in Oak Park Neighborhood. The Des Moines Police Department, along with Polk County Medical Examiners, is investigating a death after a body was found on Saturday evening. Officers responded near the Neal Smith Trail in Des Moines, north of Euclid Avenue, just after 6:30 p.m. According to police, a deceased adult male was located off the trail near a camp. There were no obvious signs to officers on the scene of traumatic injury or criminal action contributing to the death. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: ¡Viva Perry! holds Latino Festival after others cancel amid safety fears. Earlier this year, both the Latino Festival of Washington and VIVA Ottumwa were canceled due to concerns of heightened immigration enforcement. Those fears were voiced both in their announcements and to Local 5 back in May.  ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Moscow says Kyiv has struck a nuclear power plant as Ukraine marks Independence Day. Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Some National Guard units in Washington are now carrying firearms in escalation of Trump deployment. Some National Guard units patrolling the nation’s capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms, an escalation of his military deployment that makes good on a directive issued late last week by his defense secretary. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE:  ‘Leafing’ delays construction, Iowa DOT helps preserve fall color tourism. Businesses in McGregor see a boost in revenue when the leaves begin to change. “It’s very important for us and for all the businesses in town. It’s kind of the last hurrah, you could say, before the winter settles in and things slow down a bit,” says Little Switzerland Inn and Sadie’s Sweet Shop General Manager Jason Stollenwerk. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Cool mornings to start the week, then warming as dry conditions continue.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

Back to the Biz
 
Big Grove has still not opened their $5.5 million, and counting, tap room in Omaha. Now we know why. KETV reports that Nebraska Liquor Control Commission denied Big Grove's application for a liquor license "because they already manufacture alcohol," LNCC Interim Director LeAnna Prange told KETV. Prange said the reason why Big Grove was denied "has nothing to do with the fact they are an out-of-state company or how much alcohol they manufacture." KETV added, "That's despite the explanation Omaha city council members were told by attorneys at Tuesday's Omaha city council meeting."
 
Omaha City Council President Danny Begley told KETV that he supports Big Grove. "I'm hoping they do get their challenges in Lincoln straightened out so they can start getting people in the doors, and, instead of paying legal fees, they can start making money and ... generating great economic development for the city." Instead of a retail license, Big Grove is now seeking a liquor manufacturer’s license. If approved, they’d be the only company in Nebraska to hold one—but it means they could only sell the beer they manufacture. 
 
~ After 20 years, Americana will close on the ides of September.  

~Latino Restaurant Week begins Sept. 5. 

~Happy Joe’s is rolling out a "permanent price rollback" on its best-selling pies — all day, every day. For instance, a large taco pizza: now $24.99 (was $29.99); large cheese pizza: now $15.99 (was $21.99). 

~Jethro's announced a September special 50 smoked bone-in wings or 5 pounds of boneless wings for $50. 

~Saffron opened to excellent reviews in Johnston in the former Mandarin Noodle House space.

Deals today
• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers a "Monday grind" special grinder and fries basket for $9.50.

• Monday brings prime rib specials to both Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) and Christopher's (2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines).

• Eastside Eddie's (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) has a Monday special cheeseburger with fries, tots or salad and a drink for $10.

• Trostel's Greeenbriar (Merle Hay Road, Johnston) has a Monday burger with a side and beer deal for $14. Their chef's special through Wednesday is a 20-ounce ribeye with pepper sauce and asparagus, $50. 

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) has $8 omelets and $10 hot beef sandwiches or Mexican bowls on Mondays.

• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a chicken de Burgo special on Mondays before 4 p.m., $14 including beverage.
 
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts Shelby Smokehouse Soul Food on Mondays, 5-9 p.m.
 
• Haiku (1350 31st St., Des Moines) offers free egg drop soup and crab Rangoon with lunch entrees today.
 
• G Mig's (126 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has $11 smashburgers today with a side.
 
• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a Monday special Graziano grinder with a side for $12.
 
• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) offers a Monday special double smashburger and shoestring fries, $12.
 
• Bad Dog Burgers include three 1/3-pound patties, six pieces of bacon, choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion for $10.95 on Mondays at Kathy’s East 14th Street Tavern (3418 E. 14th St., Des Moines).
 
• Jethro's have a Monday chicken tenders and fries special $9.95. 

• Angry Goldfish (2301 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) has specials on chicken Parmesan and lasagna today, $11.50 with garlic bread and salad.

• Centro (1003 Locust St., Des Moines) offers half-price pizza and Peronis on Monday.

• Hy-Vee Market Grilles are offering a Monday special meatloaf dinner with green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy for $8. 

• Who's on First (810 E. First St., Ankeny) has steak night on Monday, and it's an 8-ounce filet with salad, mashed potatoes and beans for $22.95 

• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special today on hot beef sandwiches, $10.95 until 4 p.m. 

• Tito’s Lounge (3916 Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) offers all-you-can-eat wings Mondays. 

• Johnny's Hall of Fame (302 Court Ave., Des Moines) has $12 burger baskets on Mondays and Fridays.

• Urban Cellars (640 S. 50th St., West Des Moines) offers $60 wine dinners for two on Mondays including two entrees with soup or salad, a dessert and a bottle on wine. 

• Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road) has a burger basket with fries deal Mondays for $9. 

• Red Lobster's Monday special is lobster and shrimp scampi with a side for $20. 

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) has a Monday special homemade tuna, chicken or egg salad sandwiches on croissants for $12.50. 

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a Monday steak night special, sirloins and truffle fries for $18.

• Chuck's (3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) offers $14 calzone specials with up to three ingredients on Mondays. 

• Price Chopper delis offer two-piece, bone-in fried chicken dinners, with two sides and a roll, for $6 on Mondays. 

• Fareways have specials through Saturday on loinback ribs at $3.99/pound, USDA Choice flat iron steaks at $10.99/pound,  and butter at $3.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

1875: Englishman swims the Channel. Matthew Webb, a 27-year-old merchant navy captain, becomes the first known person to successfully swim the English Channel. Captain Webb accomplished the grueling 21-mile crossing, which really entailed 39 miles of swimming because of tidal currents, in 21 hours and 45 minutes. Webb set out to much fanfare the day before, on August 24. During the overnight crossing from Dover, England, to Calais, France, Captain Webb drank brandy, coffee and beef tea to keep his strength and heat up. He was hailed as a national hero upon his return to England, and a triumphal arch was erected in his honor in his hometown in Shropshire. The Daily Telegraph proclaimed, “At this moment the Captain is probably the best-known and most popular man in the world.”. ... READ MORE

1939: “The Wizard of Oz” opens in U.S. theaters. On August 25, 1939, The Wizard of Oz, which will become one of the best-loved movies in history, opens in theaters around the United States ... READ MORE

1944: Paris is liberated after four years of Nazi occupation. On August 25, 1944, after more than four years of Nazi occupation, Paris is liberated by the French 2nd Armored Division and the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. German resistance was light, and General Dietrich von Choltitz, commander of the German garrison, defied an order by Adolf Hitler to blow up Paris’ landmarks and burn the city to the ground before its liberation. Choltitz signed a formal surrender that afternoon, and on August 26, Free French General Charles de Gaulle led a joyous liberation march down the Champs d’Elysees. ... READ MORE

 www.history.com