Daily Umbrella Jan. 6: Ankeny man charged with murder; flu activity reaches high level; who is Frosty's favorite aunt?

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

Good morning to you!

I was reminded of an important fact recently about news and sports coverage, one that I first learned more than three decades ago: Sports readers are loyal and passionate, but they are few in number.

Before The Des Moines Register’s demise, it was truly the newspaper Iowans depended on — for news and sports. The sports readers, though, were fewer than one might think. Three decades ago, readership by section showed that sports ranked at the bottom, right next to the classifieds section. The same is true with sports radio — a small but loyal audience. I have had many discussions with sports fans and sports editors about this, but the numbers don’t lie.

This also holds true with weekly paid subscription newspapers. I managed several through the years. We would see subscriptions from parents drop off once their kids no longer played in sports, and we would gain new ones from parents of kids whose kids replaced them. I have learned that, aside from parents, most other readers are satisfied with knowing which team won and what the score was, along with some solid photography.

This all hit home in recent weeks when we sought to publish a series of stories in our Iowa Living magazines on how residents celebrate Super Bowl Sunday. The story suggestion was mine, as I rationalized that with 127.7 million people watching the game, there must be some great local stories to tell about the food, the festivities and the fanfare that are all part of it.

Our writers who sought the stories for those 14 magazines told us that most people, aside from the rabid sports fans or those whose teams make the Super Bowl, simply don’t care all that much. Yes, they tune in to watch at least some of the game. Enjoy some food. Watch the commercials. But, it isn’t as much of an event as I assumed it would be or that I remember it being. (In case you are wondering, the Super Bowl is Sunday, Feb. 8.)

The cold, hard truth is that a lot of people don’t know the difference between a touchdown and a home run, and they don’t care to. But, apparently, many of them do watch the commercials, which now bring $8 million or more for 30-second spots. The highest-rated Super Bowl was in 1982 with a 49.1 household rating, meaning 49.1% of TV-owning households were tuned into the Super Bowl during its broadcast.

I guess I don’t have to look far to understand the viewing trend. With my Minnesota Vikings out of contention for this year, I will likely be lounging in my living room and watching the game with a few family members or friends. And, that’s just fine by me.

How about you? What are your Super Bowl plans? Send me a note and let me know.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thank you for reading.

Shane Goodman
Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

Read more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

News headlines

FROM KCCI: Ankeny man charged with murder after woman found stabbed in apartment. An Ankeny man has been charged with first-degree murder after an alleged stabbing that left a woman dead at an Ankeny apartment on Monday. Ankeny police say officers were conducting a welfare check at 1010 NE Crestmoor Place, Unit 201, shortly before 9 a.m. Monday when they found a dead woman inside the apartment with an apparent stab wound. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Barn at Stuart egg farm gutted by fire. A large fire broke out at an egg farm in Stuart Monday night. At around 6 p.m. the Stuart and Menlo fire departments responded to a report of a structure fire at Rose Acre Farms in the 2600 block of 350th Road. Due to the size of the fire, mutual aid was requested, and multiple agencies responded to assist in battling the blaze. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen retires after historic tenure. Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen retired Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, concluding her tenure as the university’s 16th president.
Wintersteen, who was appointed president in 2017 by the Iowa Board of Regents, was the first woman to lead the university. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Venezuelan government seeks to show it is operating free from US control. The Venezuelan government on Monday sought to show its people and the world that the country is being run independently and not controlled by the United States following its stunning weekend arrest of Nicolás Maduro, the authoritarian leader who had ruled for almost 13 years. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: US cuts the number of vaccines recommended for every child, a move slammed by physicians. The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of cutting the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — a move that leading medical groups said would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Flu activity reaches high level in Iowa as doctors warn peak may be ahead. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified Iowa’s flu activity as "high" for the first time this season, and doctors say the state likely has not yet reached the peak. Dr. Dhruv Patel, an infectious disease physician at UnityPoint Health, said the facility has seen both an increase in cases and more severe symptoms. ... READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

Mostly cloudy and slightly warmer today with morning fog. A great Wednesday. Rain Thursday night changing to snow Friday, followed by cooling.

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

The 2025 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®

Best Local Financial Planner

1. Loren Merkle, Merkle Retirement Planning

2. Jeff Lohmeier, Edward Jones

3. Justin Bjerke, Edward Jones

See all of the results

Jaarsma Bakery, on the square in Pella, has become a bona fide Iowa tourist attraction. It's been in Pella since 1898 and in its present location since 1948. One waits in line for a personal assistant to help with orders, and I have almost always meet people in line who traveled as far as I did, or further. Like me, they make the trip several times a year. The Dutch letters are the best seller but there are so many decadent treats here. Tarts, strudels and butter Danish all cost less than $2. Muffins, caramelized on the edges, are the best I have found anywhere and cost just $1.25. And that's your Wonder Bargain of the week.

Le Creuset is retiring its shallot color. The Le Creuset outlet store in Altoona is selling it at 20% off until it's gone.

The Waukee Hy-Vee is now selling pies from Pie Mates Australian Bakehouse of Des Moines. These are superb, individually sized pies, both savory and sweet.

Deals today
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers fried chicken dinner special on Tuesdays, $17-23, plus half-priced whiskey pours.

• Curbin' Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor Road, Suite 200, Ankeny) offers a cheeseburger and fries for $7.99 today.

• Mullet’s Norwalk offers a free kids meal per adult meal on Tuesdays, 4 p.m. to close.

• Mickey's Irish Pub (50 S.E. Laurel St., Waukee) has a special $7 half-pound burger with a side all day Tuesday.

• Kelly's Little Nipper (1701 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines) offers a "Tendy's Tuesday" pork tenderloin basket with a drink for $11.50.

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

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $7 breakfasts and $8 burgers Tuesdays.

• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) offers a special smashburger with cheese, fries and a draft beer for $10 on Tuesdays.

• Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a beef stroganoff special on Tuesdays, $14 including beverage.

• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) hosts 222 BBQ today from 5-9 p.m.

• Baklava is half priced Tuesdays at Istanbul Cafe and Bakery (3281 100th, Urbandale).

• Red Robin stores are featuring a $10 cheeseburger with an "endless side" on Tuesdays.

• Jethro's Tuesday special is 2 pounds of bone-in smoked wings for the price of one.

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) runs a Tuesday special hot beef sandwich for $13.50.

• Kids meals are half price till 2 p.m. today at Machine Shed (11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale).

• Taco Tuesday brings serious discounts to La Familia (1610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines and pictured above), all Taco John's, all Abelardo's, all Fernando’s, Malo (900 Mulberry St., Des Moines), Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines), Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines), The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines), Gilroy's (1238 8th St., West Des Moines), Jack's Place Grill & Bar, (6112 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) and both Faustino's.
• Today is beef and noodles day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines).

• Django (1420 Locust St., Des Moines) has happy hour all night Tuesdays. That means super deals on oysters, shrimp, duck frites, poutine, charcuterie, cheese boards, beers, wine and classic martinis.

• Sully's (806 First St., West Des Moines) has a burger basket special for $12 today.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) hosts a Tuesday burger and beer special, ½-pound burger, chips and dip, with a tap beer of choice $15.

• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a tenderloin Tuesday special with BPT and fries for $10.

• Curbin Cuisine (1325 S.W. Oralabor Dr., Ankeny) offers cheeseburgers and fries for $7.99 on Tuesdays.

• G Mig’s (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers a Tuesday special 8-ounce prime sirloin, baked potato, mixed vegetables and garlic bread for 19.95.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Des Moines Playhouse/Kate Goldman Family Series. "Red Riding Hood: The Rest of the Story." Jan. 9-25.

Des Moines Performing Arts – Live at the Temple. Amythyst Kiah. Jan. 9.

Des Moines Performing Arts. "Six: The Musical." Jan. 13-18.

AUDITIONS: Des Moines Playhouse. "Crazy for You." Jan. 19.

Des Moines Performing Arts. Charlie Berens: The Lost and Found Tour. Jan. 24.

Beaverdale Books at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Beronda L. Montgomery. "When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy. " Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6:30 PM.

Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW

ART NEWS
Des Moines transcends the national gloom

By Jim Duncan

Listen to the elite guardians of American culture, and you might think the art world is self-destructing. The New York Times writes that the Broadway musical is doomed — by bad ticket sales, $250 average ticket prices, and audiences that prefer old classics. They have been saying that about opera for decades, though. The Washington Post writes that the Kennedy Center is doomed by lagging ticket sales and the Rambo-led barbarian hordes of Donald Trump. It has been hemorrhaging taxpayer money for decades, though. ...

Featured home for sale

Post listings here for $50. Contact jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com for details.

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1416 N.E. 2nd St.
Stuart, IA 50250

Beautifully maintained ranch with a functional, open layout and thoughtful upgrades throughout. The main level features durable LVP flooring in the living areas with carpeted bedrooms for comfort. The kitchen and living room flow seamlessly, and the electric fireplace stays with the home. With 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, there is plenty of space for everyday living. ...

See the listing here.

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SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

4954 86TH ST., URBANDALE
SALE DATE: 2025-08-12
SALE PRICE: $3,900,000
SELLER: PARK AVENUE PARTNERS LC
BUYER: R&J WEIS HOLDING COMPANY 14 LLC
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Featured in the current
issue of Adel Living magazine

Big game, big party
Capping off the football season with a watch party to remember

By Rachel Harrington

It’s time for the big game, and that’s the perfect reason to gather with your fellow fans around the big screen to see which team finishes the year with a championship ring. And you won’t be alone. Record-breaking viewership has been reported the last two years, with 127.7 million U.S. viewers last year, according to ESPN. Indeed, it isn’t hard to find football fanatics, though many will be disappointed that their favorite team won’t be playing Sunday, Feb. 8, at Levi’s Stadium.
One such fan is Calvin Catron, whose Kansas City Chiefs have won three of the last Super Bowls but failed to make it this year.

Memories and memorabilia
Age has no bearing on whether a person is a die-hard fan of a sports team. Though Calvin Catron is only 10 years old, his love for the Kansas City Chiefs is immense.

“I’ve been a Kansas City Chiefs fan since they won Super Bowl LVII,” Calvin shares. ...

Sports headlines

FROM ESPN: Raiders fire Pete Carroll after one season; GM John Spytek remains. The Pete Carroll era with the Las Vegas Raiders is over after just one year. The team fired the 74-year-old coach Monday after it went 3-14 this season, which ended with a 14-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. ... READ MORE

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Montana State Wins FCS Championship Game vs. Illinois State After Wild OT Finish. The FCS championship game brought all kinds of drama on Monday night, with Montana State holding off a late charge from Illinois State to become champions. Entering the fourth quarter, the Bobcats held a two-touchdown lead and looked well positioned to leave Nashville with the win. But the Redbirds fought back valiantly, controlling the clock for nearly the entire quarter while driving for two scores and forcing Montana State into back-to-back three-and-outs. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Wizards reported as serious potential trade destination for Hawks G Trae Young as team works with his agents on resolution. The Washington Wizards have surfaced as a potentially serious trade destination for Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young. If this deal were to come to fruition, it would reportedly be centered around guard C.J. McCollum's expiring contract. ... READ MORE

1838: Samuel Morse unveils the telegraph, revolutionizing communication. On Jan. 6, 1838, Samuel Morse’s telegraph system is demonstrated for the first time at the Speedwell Iron Works in Morristown, New Jersey. The telegraph, a device which used electric impulses to transmit encoded messages over a wire, would eventually revolutionize long-distance communication, reaching the height of its popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. ... READ MORE

2001: Congress certifies George W. Bush winner of 2000 elections. After a bitterly contested election, Vice President Al Gore presides over a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2001, that certifies George W. Bush as the winner of the 2000 election — an election Gore had lost. In one of the closest Presidential elections in U.S. history, George W. Bush was finally declared the winner more than five weeks after the election due to the disputed Florida ballots. ... READ MORE

2021: U.S. Capitol riot. On the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2021, a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters descend on the U.S. Capitol, attempting to interfere with the certification of electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election. ... READ MORE

www.history.com

Birthdays and notables

These celebrities were born on this date: Rowan Atkinson, Norman Reedus, Alex Turner, Eddie Redmayne, Kate McKinnon, Lil Reese, Hilaria Thomas Baldwin, Johnny Yong Bosch, Julie Chen, Gilbert Arenas, Jameis Winston

SUBMIT: Send your local birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: Why did Dad stop using his loyalty card to scrape ice from his windshield? HE ONLY GOT 10% OFF! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, BECAUSE IT WAS POINTLESS. - Brian Kreps

Today's riddle: Who is Frosty's favorite aunt?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Winterset Living magazines, contact:

Kristine McDonald
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 321
Mobile: C: 515-975-3543
kristine@iowalivingmagazines.com

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