Rural Iowa

An EF-3 tornado destroyed homes, businesses and lives in Minden on April 26, 2024. The traumatic experience shifted the perspective of the community's long-time mayor.

For better or worse, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Iowans to adapt.

The natural-cause death rate for those 25-54 years old is 43 percent higher in rural than urban areas, according to a report released from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More states in the Midwest and Great Plains are trying to support rural, independent grocery stores through tailored grant programs. Advocates say these businesses are vital for rural communities to thrive.

So far in Iowa, rumors of large-scale immigration raids have been unfounded. But many worry about what might happen next.

Fifty years ago, the National Weather Service tracked an intense low-pressure system that moved north across Iowa, producing a severe blizzard. In the aftermath, Gov. Robert Ray declared 40 counties disaster areas.

A SCOTUS decision gave cities more authority to enforce bans on sleeping outdoors which changed some cities' policies. These are the solutions providers are working on in this new climate.

Officials with the Iowa Dental Association want state lawmakers to address a major shortage of dentists who accept Medicaid patients. Health officials in northwest Iowa say children and the poor are especially impacted.

Local governments and the state face a challenge in how to pay for damage from historic high water. Leaders in one small community hope to find a way to fill an expected gap in funding and also improve the overall economic outlook.

Kaleb Wyse has more than one million followers on Facebook.