Midwest

President Trump’s war in Iran is raising questions about U.S. foreign policy and its political consequences closer to home. In rural Iowa and across the Midwest, shifting opinions and economic concerns are putting pressure on traditional bases of support. Political scientists Donna Hoffman of the University of Northern Iowa and Wayne Moyer of Grinnell College join the program to analyze how the conflict is shaping voter attitudes, party dynamics and broader regional sentiment.

Legislatures are in session across the Midwest. Journalists covering statehouses in six states — Nebraska, Wisconsin and Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota — discuss many hot button issues in these states, including voter initiative battles, opposition to energy-hungry data centers, abortion access, property taxes, eminent domain and more.

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.

Performance venues and cultural organizations are seeing a spike in artists from abroad canceling performances and demonstrations — and rethinking U.S. tours.

In an internal meeting on Friday, the Iowa Department of Corrections told employees it is no longer pursuing privatization, saying now is not the right time. About 20% of the medical staff resigned over the past six months.

Seed corn companies are using more laborers with H-2A visas, according to data from Iowa Workforce Development and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Local contractors say they have teens, who rely on the summer jobs, waiting to do the work.