The Supreme Court's pesticide liability ruling yesterday is putting new attention on Iowa's governor's race.

Why it matters: The decision lands in a state with high cancer rates, heavy pesticide use and a governor's race where criticism of chemical company protections is coming from both parties.

Driving the news: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that people suing Monsanto over Roundup's cancer risks cannot use state law to demand warning labels beyond what the EPA has approved.

• The 7-2 decision could block thousands of pending lawsuits from people who say they developed cancer after exposure to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup.

What they're saying: Republican nominee Zach Lahn called the ruling "a terrible decision."

• "This is not a win for farmers — in any way," he wrote, saying the decision strips people harmed by pesticides of legal recourse and undermines civil liability as "a key part of the free market."

The other side: Rob Sand, the Democratic nominee, also criticized the ruling, saying he would push federal officials to prioritize Iowans' health over "big corporations, powerful insiders, or their party bosses."

• "This decision is wrong, gross, and will continue to make life worse for Iowans," Sand said in a statement to Axios.

Zoom in: Lahn has aligned himself with the Make America Healthy Again movement, blaming part of Iowa's cancer surge on pesticide exposure and opposing legal shields for pesticide manufacturers.

• Sand has also made Iowa's cancer rates and water quality central issues in his campaign, including proposing a Cabinet-level cancer task force, more water monitoring and a dirty-water notification system.

What we're watching: Whether the ruling undercuts state-level fights over pesticide liability — and whether Lahn and Sand keep competing over who is tougher on chemical companies.

Simon Estes Amphitheater's long-awaited comeback kicks off with two free concerts starting next month.

Why it matters: The shows mark a milestone in the revival of a once-popular downtown Des Moines venue that's been sidelined for seven years — first for repairs, then the pandemic, and most recently for nearby bridge work.

Driving the news: The Des Moines Parks and Recreation Board this week approved a request to allow alcohol sales at the venue during two performances hosted by the Historic East Village as part of its Vibes in the Village series.

Zoom in: DSM-based singer and songwriter Andrew Hoyt performs July 18, and Brian Herrin, the co-founder of the DSM pop-rock band Decoy, performs Aug. 22.

• Both events run from noon to 5pm.

Flashback: The venue, which can hold about 1,200 people, was once a stop for regular events like Nitefall on the River, drawing acts including Drive-By Truckers, Gin Blossoms, Dwight Yoakam, Fitz and The Tantrums, and George Clinton.

What we're watching: What happens next year after the city hires an operator to manage events and concessions at the venue, and whether the venue could generate revenue to offset city costs.

Linh here. Last summer, I won second place in the husband-calling contest at the Iowa State Fair.

• With way too much confidence, I decided to enter another contest and chose to grow a giant pumpkin, despite my lack of a green thumb.

State of play: With less than two months to go, I'm not going to lie, I'm a little stressed.

• When you grow a giant pumpkin, you think you're going to quickly have a beautiful, bulbous orange marinating in the sun.
• Months later, we still haven't even reached that point!

How it works: I planted Hope #1 and Hope #2 on Easter. They've grown vines and leaves, which will later help pump energy into a gourd after I pollinate a flower.

• According to this timeline, pollination should occur around 60-70 days old. They're 83 days old.

Zoom in: Recently, I've upped their fertilizer and chicken manure, in hopes of getting some female flowers I can pollinate.

• After you hand-pollinate, the gourd should appear.

The bottom vine: My little late bloomers.

Countdown: 48 days until judgment day.

Friday

🌼 Native Plant Pop-Up | Learn how to create a pollinator-friendly garden with native Iowa plants. | 4–7pm | Iowa Food Co-op | Free!

🌈 Pride Night with the Menace | Cheer on the Menace as they take on Peoria City. $5 from every ticket sold benefits Capital City Pride. | 7pm | Valley Stadium | Tickets: $15

🎶 Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus | Celebrate the chorus' 25th anniversary with an evening of music, reflection, and community at this Silver Jubilee concert. | Today and tomorrow, 7:30pm | Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University | Tickets: $35

Saturday

📷 Film Photography Meetup | Dust off your film camera and learn the basics of shooting film, from loading your camera to composition. | Noon | Central Library | Registration: $54

Sunday

🏳️‍🌈 Valley Junction Pride | Celebrate Pride with live entertainment, local vendors, family activities, and the Pride Pet Parade through Historic Valley Junction. | 10am–4pm | Free!

🛍️ Vintage & Handmade Market | Browse 70–100 vintage vendors, handmade artists, and boutique owners while enjoying live entertainment and food trucks. | 10am–5pm | Franklin Junior High Event Center | Free!

🌳 Woodland Realm Summer Celebration | Celebrate the season with family-friendly activities and a local art show. | 1–4pm | 2323 High St., Des Moines | Free!

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel became a U.S. citizen last night at Principal Park.

State of play: Abel — a Canadian native living in Des Moines — succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, one of the world's largest companies, on Jan. 1.

• He was among 29 new citizens from 16 countries who were naturalized during a ceremony before an Iowa Cubs game.

Zoom in: U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher presided over the ceremony, which the I-Cubs hosted as part of their annual citizenship celebration.

• Abel, 64, also threw the first pitch before the Iowa Cubs faced the Buffalo Bisons.