Maura Curran
News FellowMaura Curran is IPR's 2026-2027 News Fellow. Curran has experience reporting, producing and photographing stories in Springfield, Mo. She has reported on education, business, the environment and culture for news outlets in Iowa and Missouri. Curran has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Missouri State University.
Expertise: Culture, education, business and environment
Education: Missouri State University
Favorite Iowa Destination: Des Moines Art Center
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The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge in Johnston is welcoming a first-of-its-kind exhibit that focuses exclusively on military nurses. The display will open to the public during a dedication event on Saturday. -
UpLift’s Central Iowa Emergency Rental Assistance study is looking at how long emergency rental assistance should be provided to families in a crisis for them to regain economic stability. -
Iowa HHS plans to transition the state’s public health system into a regional model by 2028. The move will shift the oversight of funds for each county to a lead entity in each region. Public health officials are warning the new system will leave gaps in services for residents. -
A Johnson County judge ruled against the state’s decision to close its State Historical Society of Iowa research center in Iowa City. Since the Iowa Department of Administrative Services closed the building in December, advocates have been fighting for it to be reopened and for displaced items to be returned. -
What’s a leafy green that’s packed with protein? It’s not spinach — it’s lenga lenga! The vegetable is a staple ingredient in many central and eastern African recipes. This harvest season, you can try the superfood at Global Greens’ International Market in Des Moines. -
Interim Superintendent Matt Smith has been appointed to the role permanently nearly one year after the district's former superintendent, Ian Roberts, was arrested. Smith has served as associate superintendent and as interim superintendent twice. -
The Des Moines City Council voted 6-1 to approve a proposed budget for fiscal year 2028, which includes service and staffing cuts across departments to balance a significant gap in city funds. -
Indianola is the third city in Iowa to discontinue its use of Flock cameras after controversy over who has access to the automated license plate readers’ data. -
Two former extended-stay hotels in the Des Moines metro will be converted into affordable housing and essential services for people experiencing homelessness. The vacant hotels are located in West Des Moines and Urbandale. -
A new art installation in Des Moines will honor former Des Moines Water Works CEO Bill Stowe, who spent years advocating for better water quality in Iowa. The artwork doubles as an outdoor classroom, where people can learn about the threats to Iowa’s drinking water.
