Good morning Ames! It’s estimated that there are 63 UN-recognized countries with less landmass than America has parking lots. Now here’s the real trivia question. How many do you think are islands? True islands where the entire country is its own island, not part of a bigger island. Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

Lets do it.

— Chance

Ames Officer Hit on I-35 Monday Night

An Ames police officer was injured Monday night after their patrol car was struck by another vehicle while responding to a crash on I-35 near mile marker 112. The officer is expected to recover. The department is using the moment to remind everyone of something worth repeating: when you see flashing emergency lights on the side of the road, slow down and move over. It's the difference between someone going home at the end of their shift or not. (more)

Gilbert's New Elementary School Opens This Weekend

After two years of construction, the new Gilbert Elementary School is ready for students. Families can get a first look this Friday at an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. The school opens just in time for the 2026 school year, funded by a $35 million bond referendum that passed with an impressive 83% approval back in 2023. The bond covers updates across every school in the Gilbert district, from new classrooms and gyms to track improvements and playground upgrades.

There will be some ongoing construction in the early weeks of school, particularly around the intermediate school where a new playground is expected by October 30. Traffic flow will be adjusted near the east and west entrances, and staff will be outside to help direct drop-off. The district says they'll communicate all changes through email and social media well in advance. (more)

Lincoln Way Closure

Nothing says "welcome back to Ames" quite like a road closure on Lincoln Way during the single busiest move-in weekend of the year. A water main break has closed Lincoln Way between Welch Avenue and Hayward Avenue, right in the heart of campus. Crews are working to repair both the water main and the road surface before it can reopen.

To be fair, water mains don't exactly check the academic calendar before they break. But the timing is rough. Parents hauling furniture, students navigating campus for the first time, and everyone trying to figure out where to park.

Poster Sale @ ISU Memorial Union - The annual fall poster sale takes over the Campanile Room with hundreds of prints, postcards, and tapestries, benefiting the Memorial Union Art Gallery. Runs through Aug. 28, weekdays 10am-6pm

Poetry Slam @ Octagon Center for the Arts - The Octagon's second annual slam brings local poets of all ages to the mic, with same-day sign-ups welcome. 5:30-7:30pm

🎸Matt Woods @ London Underground - 7-9pm

🎸Creekbed Carter Hogan with Lyndsay Audra @ Alluvial Brewing - 7pm

Board Game Night @ Morning Bell - Bring a game to share or just show up ready to play, with a full menu, cocktail and mocktail specials, beer, seltzers, cider, and more to keep things interesting. Loser buys the next round. 6-9pm

🎸Craig Swalwell Band @ Mucky Duck - 7pm

Tiny Deck Concert @ Wheatsfield Co-op - A husband-and-wife duo, both members of local favorite Stranger Than Fiction, bring melodic songs and clean vocals to the east deck. 6-7:30pm

Ames Main Street Farmers' Market @ Downtown Ames - Nathan & Clay make a special appearance this week. 8am-12:30pm

🎸Luke Fox @ Cornbred BBQ - 6-9pm

From Catch to Cuisine for Women @ McFarland Park Conservation Center - A hands-on day of casting, cleaning, and cooking your catch, capped off with a fish fry and good company. 1-5:30pm

Sunday Music Series @ Prairie Moon - Jesse & The Medicine Men take the vineyard stage for wine, pizza, and live music. 3-6pm

June Bugs @ Roosevelt Park - Roosevelts Summer Sundays bringing an all-female cover band to close out the week with sing-along favorites. 7-8:30pm

Thanks for reading this weeks scoop. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who always seems to get stuck in traffic on Duff.

Answer: 31 of the countries are islands.

See you next week.