DU June 4: Iowa’s new speed limit law; $3.52 gas; how do you make a gold cake?

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Thursday, June 4, 2026

Good morning to you!

Today marks my 25th anniversary with Big Green Umbrella Media. Or, at least, it marks the day I was first entered into the payroll system of a related company operating under a different name. Either way, a quarter-century seems like a milestone worth recognizing.

Back in 2001, I loaded my wife and kids into our trusty minivan and headed west to Nebraska. The destination was Syracuse, a small and wonderful town where I had the opportunity to work once again for Michael Garter and Gary Gerlach. At the time, they owned Maverick Media, a diversified operation that included a commercial printing plant, a daily newspaper, a weekly newspaper and two shoppers.

The company was built on ink, paper and hard work. While the publications were important, the commercial printing side generated most of the revenue. That was especially fitting because the company president, Bill Welsh, loved the printing business.

Bill hired me to work with the company’s largest customer and develop an expansion strategy that we expected would take us into the Kansas City market. The plan was ambitious. We were to build a printing plant, acquire or launch community newspapers and establish a larger regional presence. Until then, my assignment was simple enough, at least on paper. I was to learn every aspect of the business, understand the customer and settle into Nebraska for a year or so.

As often happens in business — and in life — the plan did not survive its first contact with reality. Instead of Kansas City, our expansion efforts eventually pointed us toward West Virginia, where I spent a considerable amount of time. Bill understood that convincing Jolene to move to Nebraska had already required a significant sales pitch. Convincing her to pack up and move to West Virginia would have required federal intervention.

One evening, Gary and Bill took me out to dinner and explained they wanted me to stay in Nebraska and oversee the printing and publishing operations. Fortunately, by then, Jolene had fallen in love with the Cornhusker State. I took her into Nebraska kicking and screaming. Four years later, I took her out kicking and screaming, too. She had built lasting friendships and deep connections, and leaving was not easy.

Still, the opportunity to come home and start my own company was one we could not pass up. We purchased CITYVIEW and used it as a launching pad to expand into lifestyle magazines, events, digital products and a variety of other ventures. Over the next 23 years, I had the privilege of helping build something meaningful, with some of those early years spent working in both Nebraska and Iowa.

I have spent a quarter-century in an industry that many people predicted would disappear, working alongside talented people who continually found ways to prove the skeptics wrong. There have been long days, late nights and unexpected detours, but here we are.

As I look back on the 25 years, I realize the story was never really about newspapers, printing presses, magazines or media companies. It was about people. The people who took a chance on me, worked alongside me, challenged me, supported me and shared the journey. Those relationships have been the foundation of every success and the source of every worthwhile lesson. That seems like a pretty good anniversary gift, and I am deeply thankful.

The road has taken me farther than I ever imagined when we packed that minivan and headed west. And while I am proud of what has been accomplished over the past 25 years, I am even more excited about what comes next.

Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman

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

Read more of Shane Goodman's columns here.

FROM KCCI: What Iowa's Senate primary results could reveal about the race between Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek. The race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is officially set. Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic State Sen. Josh Turek secured their parties' nominations Tuesday night and now have five months to make their case to Iowa voters before November's election. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Iowa’s new speed limit bill signed into law. When will it go into effect? Iowans will be able to drive a little faster on some roads this summer. Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF 378 on Monday. The law raises the default speed limit on the state’s two-lane highways from 55 mph to 60 mph. Some lawmakers were concerned about passing the bill, specifically for rural roads where visibility can be limited, and farm equipment is traveling. Other lawmakers cited modern safety enhancements in vehicles and the passage of other legislation, like the Hands Free Law, as reasons why they supported the speed limit change. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Polk County Board of Supervisors receives major shake-up. Polk County District 1 supervisor Matt McCoy lost to John Forbes in the Democratic primary election on Tuesday, June 2. McCoy, also the board's chair, only received 39.46% of the vote. "I can walk into this job day one and be able to impact things that happen here in Polk County," Winner John Forbes told Local 5. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Trump acknowledges calling Netanyahu ‘crazy’ and says Israel is complicating peace talks with Iran. President Donald Trump acknowledged criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “crazy” in a phone call that involved expletives, saying he was “a little bit perturbed” that Israel’s fighting with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon was holding back peace talks with Iran. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: Latest Luigi Mangione hearing shrouded in secrecy as judge shuts out press and public. A hearing in Luigi Mangione ’s state murder case in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was held in secret Wednesday after the judge shut out the press and public without explanation. New York Judge Gregory Carro said he sealed the virtual proceeding at the request of the defense but provided no other details, raising questions about transparency in the closely watched case. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: One killed, one injured in semi vs. train crash that caused massive derailment. Iowa authorities say one person was killed and another was injured when a train struck a semi-truck in Poweshiek County, causing the train to derail. The crash was reported on Highway 21 where it intersects with Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks between Brooklyn and Victor in Poweshiek County. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, Highway 21 between Interstate 80 and Highway 6 is closed in both directions due to the derailment. ... READ MORE

Thursday, June 4

Scattered PM rain

High: 85

Low: 67

Rain chance: 60%

Friday, June 5

Scattered PM storms
High: 85
Low: 65
Rain chance: 60%

Saturday, June 6

Mostly sunny
High: 87
Low: 67
Rain chance: 67%

Allergy alert

Tree pollen: None

Grass pollen: High

Ragweed pollen: None

Total pollen count: 98 grains per cubic meter of air

The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®

Best East Village Store
1. RAYGUN
2. Raccoon Forks Trading Company
3. KIN

See all of the results

Des Moines Playhouse. "Noises Off!" June 5-21.

Iowa Stage Theatre Company. "I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire." June 5-14.

CAP Theatre. “Alice in Wonderland Jr." June 5-14.

Tallgrass Theatre – Summer Concert Show at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater – "Side Show." June 11-13.

Ballet Des Moines visits five cities, including Des Moines, during the statewide BDM Summer Tour
Thursday, June 11, 5-9 p.m., Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines. In addition to free seating at Water Works Park, guests at the Des Moines tour stop have the option of a paid, add-on experience during the performance, including VIP seating, a sparkling wine flight, picnic dinner and post-performance reception with the dancers of Ballet Des Moines.

Mainframe Studios First Friday, June 5 – Nostalgia
From 5–8 p.m. This exhibition explores how the past lives on in the present and shapes the way we see ourselves and the world around us. Guests can enjoy hundreds of open art studios, interactive activities and delicious food and beverage options. Live music will be provided by the Steamer Trunk Novelty Orchestra throughout the evening. First Friday events at Mainframe Studios are family-friendly, free and open to the public. Expanded overflow parking at Eighth and Center Street with a complimentary shuttle.

Free Belin Quartet concerts
• 1:30 p.m., Thursday, June 4, West Des Moines Public Library, Dvořák: String Quartet in G Major, Op. 106
• 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, Salisbury House and Gardens, Vasks: String Quartet No. 6.

Cemetery tours
History comes alive when knowledgeable docents share their stories with guests on these exceptional journeys into Greater Des Moines history and the people who made it. Glendale Cemetery Historical Tour by Ganesh Ganput, Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Ave., Friday, June 5, 10 a.m. to noon. Golf cart assisted tour. Glendale Cemetery is one of the largest and most active cemeteries in our state. When the cemetery first opened, it was so far west of the population center, it was believed it would never be used. Your tour includes a visit to the Glendale Abbey, the GAR section, Former VP Henry A. Wallace's burial site and many other notable residents. Participants also learn about what makes the cemetery unique culturally, how the cemetery operates today, headstone designs, cremations burials, volunteer opportunities and monument cleaning. Your tour is 1.5 miles, and the tour guide is Ganesh Ganpat, Cemetery Manager.

— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz

It's a K Pop world, and we all just live in it

~ A new limited-edition Oreo is inspired by a popular Korean street food, hotteok, which is a sweet, stuffed pancake. The collab also features special packaging that pays homage to South Korea's street market culture.

~ Good Housekeeping magazine actually reviewed McDonalds' K Pop Demon Hunters meals last month.

~ The first ever high end fashion show of clothes made exclusively for robots took place this week in South Korea.

Is there no end to the new derivatives of the K-Pop virus? And why is it still hard to find good kimchee in local supermarkets?

Deals today
• Thursday is $10 kebabs and wings day at Desi Bites (3828 100th St., Urbandale).

• Marianna's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers pastor tacos for $2 Thursdays.

• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has two deals Thursday: jambalaya dinner for $15, lasagna for $10.

• Cowboy (1234 E. Euclid Ave., Des Moines) has ribs on special today, $2.99/per rib.

• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has jacket potatoes on sale Thursdays for $10.

• The Waveland (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) has chicken and noodles on special today.

• B&B (S.E. Sixth and Hartford, Des Moines) has a Thursday special Killer's double hot Polish with fries and a soda for $12.95.

• Thursdays are triple decker Reuben day at Graziano Brothers (1601 S. Union St., Des Moines).

• Quarter pound cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches are $3.39 each on Thursdays at Kwik Star.

• Paula's (Elm at Sixth, Valley Junction) has a Thursday special grinder made-rite, $14.

• Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Thursday special breaded pork tenderloin with fries and soda for $12.

• Bennigan's (4800 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale) has a $10.99 burger, fries and a pint deal on Thursdays.

• Taco pizzas are the Thursday special at Walker's Place (475 N.E. Broadway Ave., Des Moines).

• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering steak sandwich specials today.

• Smoked pork chops dinners are today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola).

• AJ's (Prairie Meadows) has an early bird menu on Wednesday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. Half pound burgers with frites, $15; pasta and chicken dinners, $20-22; seafood and steak dinners, $27-30. Prime rib dinners for $30 all night.

• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moine) offers spaghetti dinners with 8-ounce meatballs and salad for $22 on Wednesdays.

• Chelsie's Courtyard Diner (100 MLK, Des Moines) has buck burgers Thursdays. $1!

• Istanbul Grill Cafe & Bakery (3281 100th St., Urbandale) has a Thursday special of $11.99 for a döner wrap with fries as well as $5 off döner plate which comes with Turkish salad and your choice of rice or bulgur.

• Maxie's (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines) Thursday special for $20.95 is half a fried chicken with potato, side of spaghetti, and a salad. Lunch and dinner.

• Mullets Norwalk offers two, two-topping pizzas for $20 on Thursdays, 4 p.m. to close.

• Buzzard Billy's (615 Third St., Des Moines) has $2 off appetizers on Thursdays.

• Whatcha Smokin? (Highway 17, Luther) has a pork belly burnt ends special on Thursdays.

• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $10 country fried breakfasts and $9 tenderloins or shrimp/fish tacos on Thursdays.

• Ruth's Chris (Ashworth Road at Jordan Creek Parkway) has a Thursday special with their decadent RBAR burgers and fries going for $16.

• Steak Nights: Sirloin steak dinners are featured specials today at Johnny's Italian Steakhouses (before 4 p.m.), Sully's Irish Pub (860 First St., West Des Moines); Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive); Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse (122 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola); and Hy-Vee Market Grilles. The Station on Ingersoll (3120 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a $12 ribeye sandwich special on Thursdays. Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) offers ribeyes and sirloins only on Thursdays after 5 p.m.

• Mullets has a Thursday pizza special — buy one large specialty pizza and get a free 14-inch two-topping pizza.

• ShortE's BBQ (8505 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) has $1 smoked wings Thursdays.

• Jethro's Thursday special is a pound of boneless "wings" for $8.

• Bevy’s Tavern (1300 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special of beef stew and cornbread Thursdays for $13.

• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a "Comfort Thursday" special chicken fried De Burgo, a gluten free spin on DSM's classic. $16

• The Dam Pub (2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) has a throwback Thursday special goulash with garlic toast.

• The Continental (407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines) has $7 loaded fries on Thursdays.

• Buffalo Wild Wings offers two orders for the price of one Thursdays on orders of six, 10 and 15 boneless wings.

• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on cantaloupes at $1.49, red grapes at $1.49/pound, and beef tenders at $6.99/pound.

• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Sunday on whole beef briskets at $5.99/pound and through Tuesday on swordfish and ahi steaks, orange roughy fillets or snow crab clusters at $10.99/pound.

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

Featured in the current issue of Altoona Living magazine.

Nielsen-Banda’s heritage combines ‘two worlds’
Black mother and Mexican father instill pride.

By Sean Dengler

Vinny Nielsen-Banda has a unique background.

“I'm actually half black and half Mexican,” he says. “When it comes to the heritage side of things, I feel like it's some of everything going on.”

Nielsen-Banda experienced both sides of his heritage as his mom, Lyna, lived in Houston, and his dad, Raynaldo, lived close to the border of Mexico in Texas.

“Summers were spent with dad,” he says. “The rest of it was spent with mom. I felt like growing up it was these two different worlds that I then was left to combine myself.”

This led to an interesting life. ...

Featured home for sale

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

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See more homes for sale

SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction

3800 DIXON ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-12-11
SALE PRICE: $3,750,000
SELLER: 3800 DIXON LLC
BUYER: NPJTC LLC
ACRES: 4.972
SQUARE FEET: 62,800

More transactions

FROM ESPN: Brunson keys late surge as Knicks steal Game 1 in San Antonio. There wasn't a sense of panic from the Knicks when Jalen Brunson limped gingerly to the locker room late in the first quarter of Wednesday night's Game 1 of the NBA Finals after the Spurs' Harrison Barnes landed on his right knee. ... READ MORE

FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Why world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she wanted to ‘quit tennis' after shocking French Open collapse. Aryna Sabalenka snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in devastating fashion in a stunning French Open quarterfinal loss to 25th-seeded Diana Shnaider on Wednesday at Court Philippe-Chatrier. Sabalenka was up a set and serving for the match at 5-3 when she unraveled, and at times lost her cool, before dropping the next 10 games en route to an early exit so demoralizing that it left the world No. 1 feeling both emotionless yet also in one frame of mind in particular. ... READ MORE

FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Donald Trump pitches making UFC White House setup permanent on South Lawn after Freedom 250 event. Could the UFC’s White House event be more than a one-off? As construction continues on the UFC’s makeshift arena on the White House’s South Lawn, U.S. President Donald Trump remains all-in on the June 14 event. Trump proposed Wednesday on TikTok making the towering lighting grid and cage setup for the show — known colloquially as “The Claw” — a fixture on the South Lawn well beyond the first-of-its-kind fight night later this month.
... READ MORE

2003: Martha Stewart indicted for securities fraud and obstruction of justice. For domestic guru and media mogul Martha Stewart, known for her “good things” tips and tricks, things turn very bad when a federal grand jury serves her and her former stock broker a nine-count indictment, including charges of obstruction of justice, securities fraud, conspiracy and making false statements. … READ MORE

1919: Congress passes the 19th Amendment, paving the way for women to vote. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote, is passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. The women’s suffrage movement was founded in the mid-19th century by women who had become politically active through their work in the abolitionist and temperance movements. … READ MORE

1876: Express train crosses the nation in 83 hours. A mere 83 hours after leaving New York City, the Transcontinental Express train arrives in San Francisco. That any human being could travel across the entire nation in less than four days was inconceivable to previous generations of Americans. … READ MORE

www.history.com

Weekly fuel report

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 21 cents from last week's price and is currently averaging $3.91 across Iowa according to AAA. Prices are up 99 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $4.26, down 20 cents from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 4 cents this week with a statewide average of $5.01. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.30 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 40 cents lower than the national average of $5.41.

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.80 for U87-E10, $3.35 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $3.58 for ULSD#2, $3.77 for ULSD#1, and $2.43 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Natural gas prices were up 7 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.20 MMbtu.

Lowest fuel prices in the metro. www.gasbuddy.com
Caseys in Indianola, USA Murphy in Indianola, Kwik Star in Indianola - $3.52

Birthdays and notables

Happy work anniversary to Shane Goodman at Big Green Umbrella Media!

These celebrities were born on this date: Angelina Jolie, Bar Refaeli, Bruce Dern, El DeBarge, Horatio Sanz, James Callis, Quincy Brown, Russell Brand, Bradley Walsh, Michelle Phillips, Skip Marley

The answer to the last riddle: What is a baker’s favorite Beatles song? LOAF IS ALL YOU KNEAD! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, HERE COMES THE BUN! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, “Come Together" sung while kneading the dough. - Bill Snyder. Or, "Ain't She Sweet!" - Carolyn Rogers. Or, "Don't Let Me Down!" - Carolyn Rogers. Or, "Honey Pie!" - Sharon Hill Watkins.

Today's riddle: How do you make a gold cake?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Grimes/Dallas Center, North Polk or Adel Living magazines, contact:

Dan Juffer
Senior Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 303
Mobile: 515-371-2290
dan.juffer@dmcityview.com

This email was sent to: email@example.com

Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc.
8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131

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