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Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Good morning to you! 

Better. Stronger. Faster. If you watched television in the 1970s, those three words probably bring to mind a man sprinting in a red tracksuit. And no, it was not Santa Claus. It was Col. Steve Austin from “The Six Million Dollar Man.”

The ABC series aired from 1973 to 1978 and blended science fiction with fantasy. Austin, a former astronaut, was nearly killed in a NASA test-flight crash. Thanks to bionic implants, he emerged with superhuman strength, speed and vision. Better. Stronger. Faster. Naturally, the government put him to work as a secret agent.

As kids, we wanted to be Steve Austin. We leaped off picnic tables, jumped across ditches and attempted feats of strength that usually ended with scraped knees and parental lectures. In our minds, we were bionic. In reality, we were one bad landing away from a trip to the emergency room.

I owned the Steve Austin action figure that Kenner introduced in 1975. Let’s be clear: It was not a doll. It was a 16-inch action figure, complete with a red tracksuit, T-shirt, socks, underwear and, for reasons known only to toy designers, an engine block.

The figure featured a telescopic eye that was supposed to simulate bionic vision. It didn’t. You could also push a button on its back and watch Steve Austin lift objects weighing up to 2 pounds. The toy even made bionic sounds, or at least what 1970s engineers thought bionic sounds should be.

The coolest feature was a rubber skin sleeve that rolled up to reveal the bionic parts. Nothing in my toy collection came close — at least until the arms and legs snapped off. At that point, even Oscar Goldman couldn’t save my Steve Austin. I tried anyway, using Elmer’s Glue, duct tape and the Bionic Transport and Repair Station, which conveniently doubled as a rocket. Yes, I had that, too. There were advantages to having a mother who worked at a toy store.

The man behind Steve Austin, actor Lee Majors, was a star in his own right. Being married to Farrah Fawcett of “Charlie’s Angels” fame certainly didn’t hurt his popularity.

More than 50 years later, the premise of “The Six Million Dollar Man” no longer seems so far-fetched. People receive artificial hips, knees, shoulders, heart valves, pacemakers and cochlear implants. Technology continues to blur the line between human and machine. We may not be leaping over buildings or lifting engine blocks anytime soon, but every year we get a little closer to the future that Steve Austin promised. And if my knees keep aging at their current pace, I will gladly settle for better. Maybe stronger. Definitely faster.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thank you 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: Two Libertarian candidates removed from Iowa ballot after State Objection Panel ruling. Two Libertarian candidates were removed from Iowa's November ballot Monday after the State Objection Panel upheld challenges to their candidacies, setting up what party leaders say will be an appeal. The panel, made up of Secretary of State Paul Pate, Attorney General Brenna Bird and State Auditor Rob Sand, reviewed objections filed against several Libertarian candidates seeking statewide and congressional office. ... READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV: Grimes father now facing murder charge in baby’s death. Charges have once again been brought against a Grimes father accused in the death of his child. In August 2025, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in Grimes for a report of a 2-month-old not breathing. The baby was transported to a hospital for serious injuries. The baby was hospitalized for over a week before passing away. ... READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa laws going into effect July 1. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed about 200 bills into law this legislative session. A number of those bills go into effect July 1, the first day of the state government's 2026 fiscal year. Read on for the most significant bills impacting health, education and more. ... READ MORE

 
 

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Iran says the deal to end the war with the US requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon. Iran’s top diplomat said Tuesday that the deal ending the war with the United States would also require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon. But with Israel insisting it will keep forces in Lebanon, questions are growing about the still-unpublished agreement and whether disagreement over its terms could prolong the conflict. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE NATION: 8 people died in B-52 bomber crash at US Air Force base in Southern California, officials say. A B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert and burst into flames Monday, killing all eight people aboard, military officials said. Aerial footage showed virtually nothing left of the aircraft that went down around 11:20 a.m. during a routine test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, which is north of Los Angeles. ... READ MORE

FROM AROUND THE STATE: Cedar Rapids drilling new well, Linn County monitoring water levels amidst data center construction. Linn County is starting a water monitoring program to track water level and quality data - seeking to fill gaps in information. It will include 10 monitors in existing deep, bedrock wells as well as 16 planned for shallower, sandy locations along the Cedar and Wapsipinicon Rivers. County Sustainability Director Cara Matteson said this data will be uploaded online to be public facing, along with being available to state and national partners and geologic surveys. ... READ MORE

 
Weather forecast
Tuesday, June 16
 
Some clouds 
High: 78
Low: 62
Rain chance: 60%
 
Wednesday, June 17
 

AM storms possible, warm
High: 86
Low: 59
Rain chance: 60%

Thursday
 

Sunny and mild
High: 75
Low: 56
Rain chance: 0%

 
Allergy alert
 
 Today: 5.8  medium
 
 Top allergens:
Mulberry
Oak
Grasses
 
 
The 2026 results: CITYVIEW's Best of Des Moines®
 
 
Best Local Appliance Store
1. Metro Appliance
2. Appliance Warehouse
3. Warners’ Stellian
 
See all of the results
 
 

Tuesday Touts
Taco Tuesday is a great bargain in Des Moines but chiles rellenos are Mexico's greatest food gift to America. This beauty, a poblano stuffed with cheese and drenched in ranchero sauce, comes with a plate of rice, beans and salad at Los Laureles for $9.99 at lunch, seven days a week. It's our Wonder Bargain of the Week.

"Breadfruit: Three Global Journeys of a Bountiful Tree" by Russell Fielding (Columbia University Press) is a marvelous non fiction tale which includes "The Mutiny on the Bounty."

World Cup is bringing out some great vibes locally. Tito's Lounge provided the best possible late lunch place for Bosnia's game with Canada. Mariana's Tacos has a World Cup special of $1.50 tacos on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday during the cup. Fong's Pizza is all-in hosting indoor and outdoor watch parties for USA games. 

Today's deals
• The Empire's (223 Fourth St., Des Moines) Tuesday special is chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes for $10.
 
• Tuesday is $5 chats day at Desi Bites (3820 100th St., Urbandale).
 
 Johnny's Italian Steakhouses have a beef filet tips Stroganoff special on Tuesdays, $14 including beverage. Till 4 p.m.
 
Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has a deal Mondays on fried beef tacos, $3.
 
The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) offers half-priced appetizers on Tuesdays.
 
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (150 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines) celebrates Tomahawk Tuesday with a choice of 35-ounce prime tomahawk or 34-ounce prime porterhouse, two salads, two sides and two desserts. $162.
 
Waveland Cafe (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) offers Italian subs special today.
 
Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) offers hot beef sandwiches on special today.
 
B&B Grocery, Meat and Deli (2001 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special Killer's grinder with fries and soda $11.95.
 
Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St.) has a $12 double smash with fries and soda every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
• All pizzas are half priced at Maggie's Rumble Room (1432 Second Ave., Des Moines) 5-9 p.m. on Tuesdays.
 
• Hamburger steak in mushroom gravy is today's special at Crouse Cafe  (115 E. Salem, Indianola) and it is gyros day at Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni).
 
• It's steak night at Grand Junction (1970 Grand Ave., West Des Moines). Steak, salad and potato $13.99. 
 
Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers fried chicken dinner special on Tuesdays, $17-23, plus half-priced whiskey pours.
 
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.
 
• The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines) has a Tuesday special pork tenderloin with a side for $10.
 
 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. 
 
• 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), 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 Eighth St., West Des Moines), Jack's Place Grill & Bar, (6112 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) and both Faustino's. 
 
• Most Hy-Vees offer $6 two entrees Chinese deli meals on Tuesdays. 
 
• Today is beef and noodles day at Maxie's Supper Club (1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines).

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com

 
 
Featured in the current issue of CITYVIEW  Living magazine.
 

FILM REVIEW
‘Mortal Kombat II’ delivers button-mashing delight that will leave movie-goers feeling ‘toasty!’

By David Rowley

“Mortal Kombat II”
R | 1 hour, 56 minutes
Director: Simon McQuoid
Writers: Jeremy Slater, Ed Boon, John Tobias
Stars: Karl Urban, Ludi Lin, Jessica McNamee

When the “Mortal Kombat” big-screen reboot bludgeoned its way into the mainstream back in 2021, it carried the weight of a pandemic-weary audience looking for pure, unadulterated escapism. While it offered flashy choreography and a highly anticipated dose of R-rated gore, it ultimately stumbled over its own self-serious tone, an overly long origin story, and the controversial choice to center the narrative on an entirely original, somewhat bland protagonist. ...

 
Read more
 
Featured home for sale
 
 
$1,195,000
4062 N.W. 171st Court
Clive, IA 50325
 
This stunning custom 2-story home on 1.75 acres has it all. Located at the end of a private cul-de-sac, backing up to mature trees and a serene creek, this 5,200-plus square foot home offers 5 bedrooms plus 4  1/2 bathrooms. When you walk through the custom front door, you'll notice the exquisite Alder woodwork, 10-foot ceilings, 8-foot doors, an office with custom cabinetry, hand-scraped wood flooring, tumbled travertine and a formal dining room. ...
  
See the listing here.
 
See more homes for sale
 
SOLD: Featured commercial real estate transaction
 
933 18TH ST., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2025-12-16
SALE PRICE: $1,255,000
SELLER: LONG HOMES LLC
BUYER: MILLER, SHANNON
ACRES: 0.217
SQUARE FEET: 7,788
 
More transactions
 
 
Sports headlines
FROM ESPN: QB Brendan Sorsby plans to apply for NFL supplemental draft. Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby plans to apply for the NFL's supplemental draft, a stunning reversal in the saga over his eligibility after he admitted to betting on college sports. Sorsby's decision to leave Tech and pursue the NFL marks an about-face, as he had been granted a temporary injunction by a Texas judge June 8 that appeared to clear a path for him to play for the Red Raiders in 2026. ... READ MORE
 
FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: MLB warns Giants pitchers who wore Bible verses on caps during ‘Pride Night.' Three Giants pitchers were issued a warning from Major League Baseball after they appeared in Friday’s game against the Cubs with Bible verses written on their Pride Night caps. The league notified the players that similar behavior would not be tolerated in the future. ... READ MORE
 
FROM YAHOO SPORTS: Pete Crow-Armstrong hits for cycle as Cubs earn ninth walk-off victory of season. Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong became the 13th Cub to hit for the cycle on Monday, completing the feat with a seventh-inning single in Chicago's 5-4 victory against the Colorado Rockies. Armstrong's hit drew a raucous response from the fans at Wrigley Field. The moment, however, got doused with groans after the Rockies picked off Armstrong on first base. ... READ MORE
 
 

1858: Lincoln warns that America is becoming a “house divided.” On June 16, 1858, newly nominated senatorial candidate Abraham Lincoln addresses the Illinois Republican Convention in Springfield and warns that the nation faces a crisis that could destroy the Union. Speaking to more than 1,000 delegates in an ominous tone, Lincoln paraphrased a passage from the New Testament: “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” … READ MORE

1884: First roller coaster in America opens. On June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in America opens at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York. Known as a switchback railway, it was the brainchild of LaMarcus Thompson, traveled approximately six miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride. The new entertainment was an instant success and by the turn of the century there were hundreds of roller coasters around the country. … READ MORE

1963: Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space. On June 16, 1963, aboard Vostok 6, Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman to travel into space. After 48 orbits and 71 hours, she returned to earth, having spent more time in space than all U.S. astronauts combined to that date.. … READ MORE

www.history.com

 
Birthdays and notables
 
These celebrities were born on this date: John Cho, Daniel Bruhl, Laurie Metcalf, Eddie Cibrian, Diana DeGarmo, Olivia Hack, Fred Koehler, China Shavers, Sibel Kekilli
 
Morning chuckle

The answer to the last riddle: How do fish always know how much they weigh? THEY ALL HAVE SCALES! - Rex Post, Irving Stone, Gail Tomlinson, Judy Anderson, Sharon Hill Watkins, Anne Lentz, Carolyn Rogers. Or, They ask Archimedes! - Bill Snyder.

Today's riddle: Where does a fisherman go to get his hair cut?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

To advertise in the Guthrie Center Times, Panora Times, Lake Panorama Times and Guthrie County Times Vedette, contact:

KERRY JACOBSEN
Account Executive
Office: 641-332-2707
Mobile: 515-619-2788
kerry@iowalivingmagazines.com

 

 

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