It's Monday, May 4.

Today's emoji forecast: 🌦️ We'll be warm today, but some rain chances will reach the state in time to cool us down tomorrow. Jon Rivas has your forecast.

What people are talking about:

A Des Moines man is now in custody following a hit-and-run crash that left a 14-year-old girl injured.
A North Polk school board member was charged with assault last week and taken into custody by Winterset police.
Meet the winner of the 2026 Iowa's Best Burger Contest!

TOP STORY: 2026 legislative session ends with marathon weekend

📸: Rep. Travis Sitzmann, R-Plymouth County, rubs his eyes after an overnight marathon at the Iowa Statehouse to close out the 2026 legislative session.

THE 101: After a grueling, nearly 40-hour final push, Iowa lawmakers adjourned the 2026 legislative session, bringing weeks of debate, negotiation and last-minute dealmaking to a close.

WHY IT MATTERS: The marathon finish underscored both the urgency and the divisions that shaped this year’s agenda, as leaders from both parties reflected on the session’s accomplishments, unfinished business, and the path ahead for Iowans.

Senate File 2472 passed both the Senate and House. You can read more about the bill here.

RELATED STORIES:

4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

🏥 Rudy Giuliani hospitalized: The former mayor of New York City, now 81, is in critical condition. Read more

🚓 Central Iowa mayor arrested: Leslie Meyers, of Gilman, was arrested last week on harassment charges. Read more

🔎 Spending issues: State Auditor Rob Sand released a reaudit report Friday of the Oskaloosa Community School District, finding more than $146K that went toward a program not formally discussed by the school board and a gap in the superintendent's license with the state. Read more

💧 Water quality funding: Central Iowa Water Works will get $25 million for infrastructure improvements to deal with high nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. Read more

WEEKLY WEATHER OUTLOOK

Plan for sunny skies and peak UV index values in the high category, around 6 to 7. Winds will be breezy from the southwest for the first half of the day, with northwest winds returning in the afternoon with gusts around 20 to 30 mph. We will see a slight chance for a few showers and storms to form as a cold front passes through during the warmest part of the day. The areas most likely to see these isolated storms will be in southeastern Iowa. Small hail and gusty winds will be possible in these storms, but the overall severe weather threat is low.

Rain chances will linger overnight, with thunderstorm chances steadily decreasing into Tuesday morning. We could see some lingering showers during the morning hours, but dry air will be rushing into the state, preventing any lingering rain chances into the afternoon. We will be dry and cloudy for Tuesday and Wednesday, as highs return to the 50s and low 60s. Temperatures will be back on the climb Thursday, with a chance for a few showers in the afternoon.

Mother’s Day weekend will have warmer temperatures in the 60s and 70s. We will be mostly dry, with a chance for showers returning on Sunday. The severe weather threat appears to be low during this time.

DAY BY DAY FORECAST:

Today: Mostly sunny and warm. A shower or thunderstorm possible later in the afternoon. Highest chance in SE Iowa. High 82F. Winds shifting from SW to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of shower, mainly in the morning. High 58F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday: Partly to mostly cloudy. High 57F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph.
Friday: Partly cloudy. High 68F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.