PRESENTED BY

Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July — and came out of it with all fingers and toes intact.

In todays issue:

• 🏎️ INDYCAR heats up Newton

• 🎈 Sky Parade takes over Indianola

• 🎓️ Simpson names an interim president

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

🏎️ INDYCAR Race Weekend 🏁 

If you’ve never made it out to Iowa Speedway in Newton, this is your sign. The Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet.” With back-to-back days of racing, qualifying heats, and plenty of fan activities, it’s one of the most thrilling weekends of the summer — and a nod to Iowa’s deep racing roots.

Weekend Schedule:
Friday Afternoon – Practice
Friday Evening – Qualifying
Saturday Morning – Qualifying
Saturday Evening – Synk 275 Powered by Sukup
Sunday Afternoon – Farm to Finish 275 Powered by Sukup

Full Schedule →

PRESENTED BY: Springer Brothers Real Estate Team

Looking to make a move? The Springer Brothers Real Estate Team is comprised of third generation real estate professionals, born and raised right here in Central Iowa. We’re deeply rooted in this community. When it comes to finding that place to grow your roots here, the Springer Brothers are experienced at guiding you home.

If you’re in the market to buy, the Springer Brothers work hard to find that house that just feels like home. Whether it’s the first home we see or the 30^th , we encourage our homebuyers to always trust their gut. There’s no greater feeling in what we do than that feeling of finding “the one”.

If you’re the market to sell, our team will work with you to put together a plan that maximizes your homes value. We tailor every situation, using our suite of services, so that homeowners can feel confident when they list their home that they’ll get maximum exposure for their greatest, most-tangible asset.

No matter your situation, we’re ready to get to work FOR YOU so that you can achieve your real estate goals.

Call us at (515) 371-9396, email us at [email protected], or visit our website to learn more about us.

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

Simpson Names Interim President

Simpson College has appointed Susan D. Stuebner as interim president following the unexpected passing of Jay Byers on April 17. Stuebner previously served eight years as president and professor of Business and Social Sciences at Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire. She begins July 28 and will serve for the 2025–26 school year, with the potential to step into the permanent role.
Story →

Middlebrook Agrihood Expands

Iowa’s first agrihood, Middlebrook in Cumming, continues to grow. The first phase — Middlebrook Lofts — is now complete, featuring 26 apartments and five retail spaces set to open later this summer. The $750 million, 800+ acre development includes single-family homes, a general store, a working farm, community gardens, and Wilson’s Orchard & Farm.
Info →

New State Fair Foods Announced

The Iowa State Fair may be a month away, but this year’s food lineup is already here. Sixty-seven new items are hitting the fairgrounds — including a Flamin’ Hot Pickle Pizza and a Saigon Lobster Bomb. See the full list below and start planning your must-tries.
List →

UNI Offers In-State Tuition to Neighbors

The University of Northern Iowa will now offer in-state tuition to students from bordering states. The move is designed to attract more students to its Cedar Falls campus.
More →

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.

🎈 2025 Sky Parade (more)
📆 Thursday | 🕓 5:00 PM
📍 Indianola City Square, 110 N 1st St
Hot air balloons float over downtown Indianola while shops stay open late for this uniquely uplifting community night.

🎭 Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! (more)
📆 Thursday | 🕓 7:30 PM
📍 Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St
NPR’s hit comedy news quiz show is taping live — come see what doesn’t make the final cut.

🎡 Ankeny SummerFest (more)
📆 Friday–Sunday
📍 The District at Prairie Trail, SW District Dr
Celebrate Ankeny’s 150th with a weekend of live music, carnival rides, food, fireworks, and the big Grand Parade.

🎭 Magic of the Night Lantern Parade (more)
📆 Friday | 🕓 7:00 PM
📍 Drake Neighborhood, 28th & Kingman Blvd
Glowing lanterns, giant puppets, and a parade of nighttime magic light up Kingman Boulevard at dusk.

🚴 Hillbilly Bike Ride (more)
📆 Saturday | 🕓 7:00 AM
📍 BonduBikes, 85 Paine St SE
Choose your distance on this free trail ride with stops in Mingo and Baxter. Food, drinks, and live music along the way.

🕺 Midwest Mayhem – DSM Breakerz (more)
📆 Saturday | 🕓 10:30 AM
📍 Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St
Watch local dancers turn up the energy during this street-style showdown right in the middle of the Farmers’ Market.

🌍 Summer Festival – Lower Beaver (more)
📆 Saturday | 🕓 11:00 AM
📍 Woodlawn Park, 3126 Twana Dr
Celebrate neighborhood diversity with ethnic eats, cultural performances, and local vendors at this family-friendly fest.

🚙 Jeeps, Trucks, Broncos & Breakfast (more)
📆 Sunday | 🕓 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Triple B, 8600 Thomas Ave
Bring your ride or just admire the lineup. Coffee, cereal bar, and good vibes for all.

🎶 Jefferson Porchfest (more)
📆 Sunday | 🕓 1:30 PM
📍 Thomas Jefferson Gardens, 201 E Lincoln Way
Live music on porches all afternoon, capped off by a full-band finale in the gardens. Bring your chair and appetite.

🛍️ Northside Market (more)
📆 Sunday | 🕓 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Highland Park Business District, 3610 5th Ave
Shop local vendors, enjoy handmade goods, and soak up the community spirit in this lively neighborhood market.

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 87 🌡️ Low 70 | 🌤️ | 💧 54%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

Friday

High 83 🌡️ Low 67 | 🌥️ | 💧 49%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

Saturday

High 82 🌡️ Low 62 | 🌥️ | 💧 15%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Sunday

High 87 🌡️ Low 68 | 🌥️ | 💧 7%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

B2wins | 6 | Jasper Winery
Taylor King | 6 | DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park
Brittany Sword | 6 | Confluence Brewing
The Punching Pandas | 6 | Valley Junction
Joshua Sinclair | 6 | Easter Lake
Ezra Furman | 6:30 | Left'y’s
The Droptines w/ Sam Joens | 7 | Wooly’s
Alpha Wolf | 7 | xBk Live
Jordan Beem | 7:30 | The Cork
Ducharme-Jones Duo | 8 | HiFI Brew Lounge
Kevin Best | 8:30 | Bix & Co

Friday

Avey Grouws Duo | 4:30 | Middlebrook Agrihood
Schoon Brothers Acoustic Duo | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
DM Project | 5 | Caffrey’s
The Sons of Gladys Kravitz | 5:30 | Riverview Park
Joshua Sinclair | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Sierra Griggs | 6 | Pelican Post
Brittany Sword | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Jordan Messerole | 6 | DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park
Jack Kemble & Kick | 6:30 | Smash Park
Lakeview | 7 | Wooly’s
Willie Shay | 7 | Simon’s
Matt Jesson | 7 | xBk Annex
Randy Burk & The Prisoners | 7 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Winterland w/ Orbital Velocity | 8 | xBk Live
Bad Decisions | 8 | Annie’s Irish Pub
Touch of Grey | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
Fast Dolly | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
A Wolf Among us | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Flyte Risk | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Dick Danger Band | 8:30 | Riverview Park

Saturday

The People’s Band | 12 | Annie’s Irish Pub
Willie Mac & The Lost Cousins | 2 | Covered Bridges Winery
Dustin Baird | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Haywire | 5 | Lefty’s
Casey Peasley Duo | 5 | Winterset Cidery
Suede | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Patresa Hartman | 7 | xBk Annex
Meadowbrook Circle | 7 | Uptown Garage Brewing
Ole 60 w/ Rob Langdon | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Cover That | 8 | Down Under
The Chuggaluggers Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
GRIND | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Mike Moody & The Outlaws | 9 | Brick & Ivy Rooftop

Sunday

Southbound | 1 | DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park
Ducharme-Jones Band | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Saxman Trio | 2 | Trumans Pizza Tavern
Dirk Von Stein | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Meadowbrook Circle | 5 | Exile Brewing
Flummox w/ Bhagwan and Kibble | 6:30 | Lefty’s
Heart Attack Man | 7 | Wooly’s
Good Morning Midnight | 7 | xBk Live

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Baseball ⚾️ 

Iowa Cubs
45-43 | 5th Place | IL West Division

• @ St. Paul Saints
  📆 7/10 | 🕛️ 7:07
  📆 7/11 | 🕛️ 7:07
  📆 7/12 | 🕛️ 6:37
  📆 7/13 | 🕛️ 2:07

• Next Week | VS Columbus Clippers

Soccer ⚽️ 

Des Moines Menace
9-1-1 | 28 PTS | 1st place | Great Plains Division

• VS St Louis Ambush
  📆 7/12 | 🕛️ 7

Football 🏈

Iowa Barnstormers
1-12 | 7th place | Eastern Division

• VS Fishers Freight
  📆 7/12 | 🕛️ 7:05

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

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