Good morning, Iowa. It is Monday, Aug. 31, and this is the Daily Umbrella Podcast. Here is what is making news this morning. …

Iowa is facing a shortage of high school sports officials as the 2026 football season gets underway. The Iowa High School Athletic Association says about 1,000 referees are registered for the upcoming season. That is about 350 fewer than last year. The association does not assign officials to games, so it cannot say exactly how the shortage will affect individual schools and schedules. Officials with the association remain optimistic that all games will be covered, although some adjustments could be necessary. For anyone who has ever sat through a high school football game and complained about a referee's call, this might be a good time to remember that somebody actually has to volunteer to wear the ...