Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation. A recent report points to contaminants in our water, soil and air as key culprits. On this episode, we talk with two of the authors of this report on environmental risk factors including pesticides, PFAS, nitrates and Iowa's cancer crisis. The report offers several policy and personal recommendations to reduce adverse environmental exposures, including expansion of the state's water monitoring network. The Iowa Legislature diverted funds for the Iowa Quality Information System in 2023. While county governments and other groups have helped fund the system the last few years, Iowa Flood Center Director Larry Weber is asking lawmakers to reappropriate funds before the end of this year's session. (The Harkin Institute and Iowa Environmental Council are sponsors of IPR.)
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A report published this week by Investigate Midwest dives into the connection between pesticide use and rising cases of cancer for those in farming communities nationwide. Editor in Chief Ben Felder details the findings, and we hear from two Iowans that recently fought cancer who are featured in the article. Later in the episode, Luther College junior Mansur Kasali led a student initiative focused on making the federal budget and national debt a matter of shared civic responsibility, rather than abstract politics. -
According to new DNR reports, raptor surveyors and volunteers documented 58 osprey fledglings and 28 peregrine falcon fledglings in 2025. The positive numbers stem from years-long restoration efforts in Iowa. -
Many people are concerned that Iowa’s high cancer rates are tied to the state’s large agricultural industry and all the chemicals farmers use to grow crops and kill weeds. But researchers say making that connection is hard.
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Roundup maker Bayer has been pushing bills in at least 11 states, including Iowa, to shield itself and other pesticide companies from cancer lawsuits. The Iowa House has declined to advance the bill ahead of a key legislative deadline. -
Iowa is in the minority of states that offer no paid parental leave to state employees.
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Republicans in the Iowa Senate advanced a bill Wednesday that would limit lawsuits by Iowans seeking compensation for pesticide-related illnesses. Bayer proposed it to cut down on lawsuits alleging that farmers got cancer from being exposed to Roundup.
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Republicans in the Iowa Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would bar Iowans with severe illnesses from suing pesticide manufacturers for failing to warn them of potential health risks like cancer. -
The EPA has completed less than 5% of its Endangered Species Act caseload in reviewing pesticides. Now the agency is proposing a new strategy for scrutinizing agricultural chemicals’ effects on listed species.
