Economy

As Iowa’s rural communities age and young people continue to leave, immigrants are fueling population growth. Data shows that one year of Trump administration immigration enforcement policies have affected that growth.

John Norwood, a Democrat from West Des Moines, has entered the 2026 race for Iowa state treasurer. He pledges to safeguard Iowa’s financial future as he challenges Republican incumbent Roby Smith, who announced his reelection bid in December.

In a visit to Iowa, President Trump rallied Republican support ahead of the midterms and tried to appeal to voters with provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill and by asserting his support for ethanol industry priorities.

What are the real solutions for the program you've paid into your entire life? Social Security's trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2033, which would trigger automatic benefit cuts unless Congress acts. Democrat Martin O’Malley, Former Social Security Commissioner, and Marc Goldwein from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget discuss the outlook of the program.

The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most expensive, but there are ways to scale-back spending and give meaningful gifts without going into debt.

Snowstorms and cold temperatures dampened sales for many Christmas tree farms across the state. While the work is year-round, their retail season is typically condensed to a two or three week window in late November and early December.

It’s no secret people are moving away from rural areas of Iowa. The exodus toward bigger cities has been growing for decades. Fewer than a quarter of Iowans live in the country. In 1960, it was around 50%. One Iowan took an unusual route to reverse that trend.

For more than 60 years, Iowa State University has sponsored an annual land survey. This year shows a small increase that lags behind inflation.

This year's Iowa Climate Statement warns that extreme weather is already pushing insurance costs higher for homeowners and farmers. We break down what the data means for the state’s future.

In this extended edition of River to River, Marketplace’s Kai Ryssdal joins Ben Kieffer for a wide-ranging conversation on the U.S. economy and Ryssdal's career.