Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Good morning, Des Moines, and welcome to the Daily Umbrella Podcast for Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. We offer your morning news, weather and a few things worth knowing before you head out the door. … Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek squared off Wednesday night in their first debate in the race to replace U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not seeking reelection. The candidates traded attacks over immigration, their records on bipartisanship, health care and the war with Iran. It is the first head-to-head debate in what is expected to be a closely watched Senate race. … In Carlisle, city leaders say they have identified what they believe caused the city’s water system to drain. After nearly a week without usable water, the city planned to move from a “Do Not Use” order to a boil advisory Thursday morning. The boil advisory will remain in place until water samples confirm the system is safe. Schools are also expected to reopen Thursday. … And there is a troubling intersection getting attention in Polk County. N.E. 56th Street and N.E. 94th Avenue, north of Bondurant, has recorded five crashes in the past five months, including two fatalities. The most recent victim was 73-year-old Linda Fristoe, who was killed last week. … Around the world, protests continue in France. Police fired tear gas at a high school in Paris after students erected barricades as part of nationwide protests. Dozens of demonstrations are planned Thursday. … Now, your weather. Today will be partly cloudy with a high of 73 and a low of 55. There is a 30% chance of rain. Friday will be partly cloudy and warm, with a high of 81 and a low of 64, with another 30% chance of rain. Saturday looks even better — sunshine and a high of 81, with no rain in the forecast. The allergy alert today is a 5, in the low-to-medium range. The top allergens are ragweed, sagebrush and chenopods. … At the gas pump, the cheapest fuel reported in the metro is $3.79 a gallon at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh in Ankeny. Sam’s Club in Ankeny is at $3.86, and Mega Saver in Des Moines is $3.88. … Here is a little history for Oct. 8. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire began. The two-day blaze killed between 200 and 300 people, destroyed more than 17,000 buildings and left about 100,000 people homeless. In 1945, Raytheon filed the first patent for what would become the microwave oven. And in 1956, the first enclosed shopping mall in the United States opened in a Minneapolis suburb. Southdale Mall was designed to give shoppers a warm, comfortable place to shop during those brutally cold Minnesota winters. … Now, a quick look at sports. The New York Yankees are out of the postseason after the Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep with a 4-3 victory Wednesday night. The game included a controversial moment in the sixth inning. Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe appeared to hit a game-tying two-run homer, but replay showed a fan had reached over the wall and interfered with the ball. The home run was overturned and changed to an RBI double. The Yankees could not complete the comeback and were eliminated from the American League Division Series. In the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings signed veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to their practice squad. The Vikings are 4-0 and are adding Beckham as they deal with injuries, including to star receiver Justin Jefferson. … Now for today’s mystery from the morning chuckle. Why do we tell actors to “break a leg”? Think you know the answer? Email your guess to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com 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.
