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Good morning, Des Moines! It is Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. Thank you for starting your day with The Daily Umbrella, your five-minute briefing of news, weather, sports and a little fun to help you get your week rolling. Let’s get right to it. …

We are experiencing summer in October, apparently, and Mother Nature does not seem particularly interested in checking the calendar. Des Moines hit 88 degrees Sunday, setting a new record high for the date. The previous record was 86 degrees, set in 2024. That record had also been reached in 1960 and 1962. …

Authorities in Worth County have issued a precautionary alert following a hazardous-materials spill north of Manly. The Worth County Sheriff's Office says a commercial vehicle transporting sulfuric acid experienced a chemical release onto the roadway near Highway 65 and 380th Street on Thursday, Oct. 8. Motorists should be alert to the potential exposure risk in the area. …

There is good news for residents of Carlisle, who have dealt with water problems since last Wednesday. The city lifted its boil advisory at 10 a.m. Saturday after water testing confirmed the supply was safe to use. …

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia continues to strike Ukrainian energy facilities despite President Donald Trump's statement Sunday that the two countries had agreed to an energy ceasefire. The war has now stretched into its fifth year. …

Several Republican-led states have adopted new voting rules this year, some reflecting proposals from Trump. His efforts to enact a national proof-of-citizenship law and voter ID requirement did not take effect in time for the 2026 midterm elections. …

In sports, the Green Bay Packers made a statement Sunday, defeating the Chicago Bears 31-7 at Lambeau Field. The victory came after Bears receiver Luther Burden III said last week that Chicago wanted to beat Green Bay badly enough to make the Packers quit. Green Bay had a different ending in mind. In college football, No. 7 Indiana rallied to beat Nebraska 20-17 in a game marked by gusty winds and offensive struggles. Georgia is the new No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 after beating Alabama 20-17. …

And now, to the weather. Another hot day is in the forecast for central Iowa. Today, expect a high of 88 degrees and a low of 63, with no chance of rain. Tuesday will be mostly sunny, with a high of 74 and a low of 56. There is a 30% chance of rain. Wednesday turns cloudy and cooler, with a high of 67, a low of 57 and a 20% chance of rain. The allergy alert today is 5 on the medium-range scale. The leading allergens are ragweed, sagebrush and chenopods. …

Here is a look at this day in history. On Oct. 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus reached an island in the Bahamas during his expedition across the Atlantic. Believing he had reached East Asia, his expedition claimed the land for Spain. In 1964, the Soviet Union launched Voskhod 1, the first spacecraft to carry a crew of three into orbit. And in 2007, former Vice President Al Gore and the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to raise awareness of human-caused climate change. …

Are you ready for the morning chuckle? Last Friday, we asked why a milking stool has only three legs. The answer? Because the cow has the udder! Today's riddle is this: What is a firefly's favorite dance? 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.