😁 Happy Friday! Fun Fact: Last year, Americans spent over $2.3 billion on fireworks. Yep— most of it wasn’t even for the big city shows, but for backyard blasts and questionable bottle rocket launches.
We really do love our sparkly chaos.

-Money Digest

Weekend Weather:
Today ☁️ Hi 84, Sat 🌤️ Hi 92, Sun 🌩️ Hi 91, Mon ⛅️ Hi 86

B&A Club: 
🎂 Happy Birthday
Lyndsie Kammin -- Carroll
Mike Franey — Carroll (Saturday)
🥂 Happy Anniversary
Wendell & Jeanne Heuton -- Carroll (72 yrs)
Alex & Kristen Vonnahme -- Arcadia (16 yrs)

MARKETS FROM SHERWOOD
Uber could be moving more into Google and Tesla’s territory

Travis Kalanick, the former UberUBER $92.75 (2.42%) CEO who was forced out in 2017, is back at the company — sort of. Uber is in talks with Kalanick to help fund the purchase of autonomous vehicle company Pony.aiPONY $14.71 (11.98%), The New York Times reports.

Uber’s stock is up 2.6% today while Pony.ai has spiked 12% on the news. Kalanick would run Pony.ai if the deal goes through, but it’s unclear what role Uber would play.

This is all happening as the self-driving space is heating up. Earlier this week, Uber and Waymo (which is owned by GoogleGOOGL $173.32 (1.66%)) launched their self-driving partnership in a second city, Atlanta, sending Uber’s stock soaring. On Sunday, TeslaTSLA $326.57 (-0.54%) finally launched its long-awaited robotaxi in Austin with about 20 cars in a limited area to some Tesla influencers. see article

LOCAL NEWS

Carroll City Council Approves "Local Preference" Purchasing Policy Amendment

The Carroll City Council has approved a new purchasing policy that will favor local contractors and vendors when selecting bids. The council previously expressed interest in formalizing the city’s commitment to supporting local when prudent for taxpayers. City Manager Aaron Kooiker says he drafted updated language for council review using another Iowa community’s policy as a template. Ward 4 Councilwoman Carolyn Siemann sought clarification from City Attorney Dave Bruner on some of the legal language used in the proposed policy amendment, specifically the difference between “businesses” and “private enterprises.” Bruner says they are functionally synonymous, but he wanted the language to align with the state code. The policy was brought to the council’s attention earlier this year after several local contractors and vendors expressed their displeasure with the city on social media regarding the selection of an out-of-town company for a substantial roof replacement project. The low bid of $635,000 from Rigid Edge Exteriors from Anita won the contract. The next lowest bid was more than $77,000 higher and also came from an out-of-town contractor. The updated policy would not have applied in that case, as the project exceeded the $100,000 threshold.

More Local Headlines

• Carroll Driver Airlifted After Single-Vehicle Crash Monday At 5th And Clark

• USDA Rural Develoment Recognizes UBI As One Of Iowa’s Top Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program Lenders

• Farm Bureau Federation Survey Finds Fourth Of July Celebration Costs Still Near Record Highs

• Sens. Grassley, Ernst Meet With Local Students In D.C. For Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour

PODCAST
NEW EPISODE of Must Know People Podcast: How Growing Up in Iowa Shaped My Music

Brad Morgan joins us to discuss his evocative musical journey from the heartlands of Iowa to the bustling city of Nashville. Raised on the values of hard work and community, Brad's story is a testament to the dreams held by many small-town musicians aiming for bigger stages. We unravel his early inspirations, his transition from aspiring football player to musician, and the significant role his family and local community played in fostering his talent. In our conversation, Brad reflects on his initial steps into the Nashville scene, highlighting both the excitement and the learning curve he encountered. He shares insights on his songwriting process, focusing on the importance of authenticity and the joy of creative collaboration. Discover how Brad's Midwest upbringing continues to shape his artistry, influencing the themes and messages in his songs. Join us for an engaging discussion filled with personal anecdotes, industry insights, and a closer look at the passion driving Brad’s musical endeavors. listen now

AREA NEWS
Area headlines

🤠 Don your cowboy boots and Stetson and head to Lake City this weekend for the Top Rail Saddle Club’s 66th annual Western Days Rodeo. Piper Richardson, a Top Rail member and one of Western Days’ many organizers, says the fun begins Friday night with a pool party for kids 9-18 at the Lake City Aquatic Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the beer garden in the town square from 8 p.m. to midnight, featuring DJ Mike Mendenhall. Richardson says there will be plenty to do around town on Saturday, even before the first night of rodeo. Richardson says they have two full nights of entertainment planned at the club grounds. Sunday night’s rodeo gets started a little early at 6 p.m. Admission to the rodeo is $15 for adults and $5 for kids 12 years of age and younger. There are moderate chances for rain over the weekend in Lake City, but the rodeo will be held rain or shine. Western Days is Lake City’s largest event of the year, drawing thousands to enjoy the parade, vendors, and, of course, the rodeo. Richardson says Top Rail Saddle Club makes it a priority to make the fun accessible for the whole family. Other highlights from the Western Days schedule this weekend include a time capsule ceremony at the Lake City Community Building on Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by the Southern Cal all-football reunion at 2 p.m. in Goins Park. The full schedule can be found included here.

🚲️ The Sauk Rail Trail near Lake View is back open after being closed for months while a section near wetlands was repaved. The project’s completion marks the end of what had been a lengthy back-and-forth between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Sac County Conservation, the Sauk Rail Trail Association, and local recreationalists. The 0.7-mile stretch had started to crack and buckle due to the nearby wetlands, but the DNR had been hesitant to repave the segment completely. Instead, state officials had initially proposed using crushed limestone, as it would have been less susceptible to ground fluctuations in the wetlands. Proponents for the paving had argued against such a move, as the gravel would have made the section difficult, if not impassable, for the thin tires that many road bikes use. However, the long campaign to change the DNR’s position was successful, and the 33-mile trail remains paved throughout its entire length.

🧑‍🌾 A Sac County farmer has been elected to serve on the Iowa Farm Bureau (IFB) Young Farmer Advisory Committee. Tim Cohoon of Sac City will serve as the organization’s public relations co-char. Cohoon and his wife, Nicole, farm corn and soybeans and raise cattle alongside her father and two brothers. Additionally, Cohoon operates his branding and digital marketing agency, BreakThru 360. Together, the Cohoons are both involved in local and state IFB programs through ag insight tours, policy trips, and more. The Young Farmer Advisory Committee is responsible for planning the IFB Young Farmer annual conference, which brings together the next generation of Iowa producers from across the state for networking and the latest industry news and practices. The 2026 Young Farmer Conference is scheduled for Jan. 23-24 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Des Moines.

LOCAL SPORTS

PODCAST: Weekly Sports Recap and Preview Show

More Sports:

• Sports Schedule

• Brincks Exteriors Sports Reports

• Brincks Cabinets + Design Athlete Spotlight 🆕 

• Macke Motors Photo Gallery

• Culver’s Player of the Game

• Outlaw Graphics Regional Player of the Week

• St. Anthony Athletes of the Week 

• Teamwork with Olsen’s Outdoor Power

If you want the latest local sports anytime when you want it, download our APP to read, listen, and watch everything our local sports department has to offer!

STATE NEWS
New apartment buildings, one for active seniors, open in Des Moines' Gray's Landing

Philip Joens/Des Moines Register

• Two new apartment buildings, The Meridian and The Slate, have opened in Des Moines' Gray's Landing neighborhood.

• The Meridian offers 174 luxury apartments, while The Slate provides 132 units for independent senior living.

• Both buildings are part of the ongoing $154 million Gray's Landing development.

Two long-planned apartment buildings in the Gray's Landing neighborhood on the southern edge of downtown Des Moines are now open for tenants.

Both in the 400 block of SW 11th St., The Meridian, with 174 luxury apartments. and The Slate, with 132 units for independent senior living, officially opened Tuesday, June 24. Grays Landing developers Sherman Associates of Minneapolis built both buildings.

The $154 million neighborhood encompasses about 50 acres of mixed-use and commercial development space between Southwest Ninth and 16th streets. Commercial and residential development there include a 121-room Holiday Inn Express and the 142-unit Nexus apartments.

Together, The Meridian and The Slate add more than 300 apartments. The five-story Meridian has a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, a pool, sauna and hot tub. At four stories, The Slate, first proposed in 2018, has a mix of one- and two-bedroom units and is geared toward "active seniors," according to a description on the city's website.

The Slate will price 10% of its units to be affordable rates to households with 80% or less of the area annual median income, or up to $73,300 for a two-person household.

 full story

MORE STATE NEWS:

• Virtual Iowa driver’s license now available in Google wallet

• NFL player, Iowa football alum Sam LaPorta and his wife get a blessing from Pope Leo XIV

• See photos of the Iowa women's basketball team during a summer practice June 26

• Iowa State basketball: Tamin Lipsey ready to run point again for Cyclones

MORE NEWS
What else!

• Pete Davidson stars in the trailer for horror-thriller ‘The Home’

• Mets starter crumbles to ground, exits in potential Achilles injury catastrophe

• Lorde shares video for ‘Hammer’ off new album ‘Virgin’

WEEKEND

✅FIRE UP THE GRILL: Get excited for grilling all summer long!
✅RED, WHITE & SNACKS: Whip up something festive for the upcoming holiday weekend!
✅SUN SAFETY: 9 of the best sunscreens for the summer!
✅WATCH: Safety hack for the littles!
✅LISTEN: Catch the latest episode of “Must Know People” with John Ryan!
✅GIVEAWAY: Keep an eye on KKRL, KCIM, and KIKD Facebook pages for a chance to win free Culver’s treats😋 
✅COMING UP: Live + Local on Thursdays!
✅MERCHANTS BASEBALL: Summer FAMILY FUN for all at Merchants Park!
✅ADD TO CALENDAR: Templeton’s 40th Annual Sacred Heart Parish Street Dance!
✅SATURDAY: Coon Rapids Farmers Market!

DID YOU KNOW?
The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, but it wasn’t signed by most delegates until August 2, 1776.

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