Episode notes
Good morning, central Iowa. It’s Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, and this is the Daily Umbrella Podcast. We offer the morning news, information and a little bit of fun to get your Friday rolling. Let’s get started. ...
A 20-year-old Perry woman is charged with first-degree murder after a baby was found dead Tuesday evening in a trash container at Acorns & Oaks Child Care in Perry. Perry police say Stephanie Ubaldo, the mother of the baby, was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree murder. …
Also in the news, Iowa’s measles outbreak continues to grow. Iowa HHS reported Thursday that the state now has 38 confirmed cases of measles. Before Aug. 16, Iowa had identified just one case in 2026. Health officials say no measles exposure locations have been identified in Iowa during the past four weeks, and the state plans to provide updates weekly on Thursdays. …
Here in Des Moines, three people, including an 11-year-old child, were injured in a dog attack Wednesday afternoon near East 21st Street and Alpha Avenue. Police say another dog was also attacked. The child was taken to a local hospital with multiple serious bite injuries. …
Around the country, Warren Buffett is stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway after more than 50 years in the role. The 96-year-old Buffett will become chairman emeritus, while his son, Howard Buffett, becomes chairman. …
And in Iowa’s economy, the state unemployment rate remained at 3.2% in August for the fourth consecutive month. That is down from 3.5% a year ago. Iowa added 2,400 jobs in August, with manufacturing leading the gains. …
Here’s some Iowa Nice. The World Food Prize Foundation is trying to break the Guinness World Record for the most hunger-relief meals packaged in one hour. The effort is planned for Oct. 20 at the EMC Expo Center during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. Organizers hope more than 1,000 volunteers will package 600,000 meals in one hour, surpassing the current record of 530,064. Half the meals will stay in Iowa, and half will go to eight countries around the world. And Prairie Meadows has awarded $275,000 to the WesleyLife Foundation for programs serving older adults in central Iowa. …
Now, let’s talk weather. Today will bring scattered showers, with a high around 84 and a 50% chance of rain. Saturday also brings scattered showers, with a high near 82 and a 40% chance of rain. Sunday will be cooler, with a high around 67 and a 60% chance of rain. The allergy alert is in the medium range at 6.9. Top allergens today are nettle, chenopods and ragweed. …
On this date in 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol. The building took nearly a century to complete. And in 1973, future President Jimmy Carter filed a report with the International UFO Bureau saying he had seen an unidentified flying object in October 1969. …
Finally, our morning chuckle. Yesterday’s riddle asked: Where did the cat go after losing its tail?
The answer: The re-tail store! And today’s chuckle: What do you call a Mayan snake god tied in a knot? Think you know the answer? Send 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. …
That’s your Daily Umbrella for Friday, Sept. 18. Have a fantastic Friday, enjoy the weekend and thanks for listening.