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Farm State Republicans Face Political Bind Over Trump's Policies Ahead of Midterm Elections

Farm State Republicans Face Political Bind Over Trump's Policies Ahead of Midterm Elections

Republicans in U.S. farm states are confronting a challenging political landscape as the 2026 midterm elections approach. These lawmakers find themselves in a difficult position, needing to defend President Trump's policies while simultaneously addressing the negative economic impacts these policies have on their agricultural constituents. Key issues include tariffs, increased beef imports, and high fuel and fertilizer prices, all of which are significantly affecting farming communities. For instance, diesel prices recently hit a record high of $5.90, and gasoline reached approximately $4.15 a gallon over Labor Day weekend, largely due to the ongoing war with Iran. The escalating trade dispute with Canada is also threatening agricultural exports and increasing the cost of machinery. Furthermore, a recent Trump administration decision to temporarily expand tariff-free imports of lean beef has drawn criticism from cattle ranchers. Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa, who represents a swing district, has voiced ...
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Cedar Rapids Residents Protest Proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center

Cedar Rapids Residents Protest Proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center

Dozens of Cedar Rapids residents have protested outside the Alliant Energy building in response to the company's proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center. The planned 720-megawatt natural gas power plant would occupy 160 acres west of Cedar Rapids in the Morgan Valley area. Opponents of the project have voiced concerns regarding its potential environmental and health impacts on the community. Alliant Energy, in response to the protests, stated that the energy center is necessary to meet growing energy demand and maintain reliable electric service. The company also noted that the project is currently undergoing a regulatory review process to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental and public health requirements. This development highlights a conflict between energy infrastructure expansion and community environmental concerns.
1Weather1Weather
Flash Flooding and Power Outages Hit Des Moines After Heavy Rainfall

Flash Flooding and Power Outages Hit Des Moines After Heavy Rainfall

Des Moines, Iowa, experienced significant flash flooding and power outages following heavy rainfall on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the city remains under a flood warning until late Thursday, September 10. Rainfall totals reached 5.89 inches at the Des Moines International Airport, with localized reports of up to 7.8 inches in West Des Moines. The Raccoon River in Des Moines exceeded its flood stage of 12 feet, peaking at 13.4 feet on Thursday morning. Other affected areas include Walnut Creek in Clive and Middle River in Indianola, which crested at 24.3 feet, nearing moderate flood status. Power outages impacted over 34,000 residents in central Iowa, with restoration efforts ongoing. The storm also caused the cancellation of classes at North High School in Des Moines.
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Tama County Sheriff Warns of Detour Confusion After Near Collision Near Clutier

Tama County Sheriff Warns of Detour Confusion After Near Collision Near Clutier

The Tama County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning to drivers regarding significant confusion caused by detour routes near Clutier, Iowa, following a near collision involving Sheriff Casey Schmidt. Dash camera footage from the sheriff's squad car captured a close call on Highway E-36 when another vehicle ran a stop sign, almost resulting in a t-bone crash. The driver involved in the incident admitted to being confused by the detour signage. The official detour directs traffic along Highways 30 and 21, but Sheriff Schmidt noted that GPS systems often lead drivers onto unfamiliar roads, exacerbating the confusion. This incident highlights safety concerns arising from unclear or complex detour navigation.
Buckeyes WireBuckeyes Wire
Big Ten football expert picks and predictions for Week 2 of CFB

Big Ten football expert picks and predictions for Week 2 of CFB

Our experts pick and predict all the Big Ten football games straight up and against the spread for Week 2 of the college football season.
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Iowa's 2026 Roadside Wildlife Survey Highlights Weather and Habitat Impacts

Iowa's 2026 Roadside Wildlife Survey Highlights Weather and Habitat Impacts

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released its 2026 August roadside survey results, revealing significant changes in wildlife populations across the state. The survey, conducted annually for over 50 years, showed a 17% decline in pheasant populations compared to 2025, with an average of 22.6 pheasants per 30-mile route. This marks the second-highest population since 2015 but remains far below levels seen in the 1990s. Bobwhite quail populations also declined, while gray partridge numbers increased by 6%, and cottontail rabbit populations remained stable. Weather conditions, including an average winter and normal spring, were not expected to significantly impact populations, but habitat loss continues to play a critical role in long-term trends. Iowa has lost over 1.4 million acres of habitat since 1995, primarily due to reduced enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
Big 12 football Week 2 odds, point spreads, moneylines, over/unders

Big 12 football Week 2 odds, point spreads, moneylines, over/unders

College football Week 2 betting spreads, lines, point totals for every game on Big 12 schedule, with odds for favorites, underdogs in each matchup.
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
Big 12 football Week 2 picks, predictions for game scores this week

Big 12 football Week 2 picks, predictions for game scores this week

Big 12 football Week 2 score predictions, picks for Arizona State vs Texas A&M, Iowa State vs Iowa, Missouri vs Kansas, Arizona vs BYU, more games.
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Severe Storms and Cooler Weather Expected in Iowa

Severe Storms and Cooler Weather Expected in Iowa

Central and southern Iowa are experiencing a surge of warm air today, with high temperatures reaching the low 90s °F (32-34 °C) and heat index values near 100 °F (37-38 °C) [KCCI, 2026-09-08]. A cold front is moving into the northwest part of the state, triggering thunderstorms that will spread throughout the day. These storms are expected to reach the Des Moines metro area by this evening, bringing heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possibly hail. The risk of tornadoes is low but not zero. Rainfall totals could range from 2-4 inches, potentially causing localized flash flooding.
1Weather1Weather
Severe Storms Set to Sweep From Plains to East Coast

Severe Storms Set to Sweep From Plains to East Coast

A multiday severe weather and flash flood threat is set to sweep from the Plains toward the East Coast. Strong to severe thunderstorms will develop across the Upper Midwest and central Plains on Tuesday, bringing risks of large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain, with Iowa facing a heightened flood threat. On Wednesday, storms will spread along the cold front toward the interior Northeast, with some wind gusts topping 60 mph. By Thursday, the threat shifts south toward the Ohio Valley, Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic, where heavy rain and flash flooding could become the main concerns.
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Iowa Judges Award Jobless Benefits to Fired Healthcare Professionals

Iowa Judges Award Jobless Benefits to Fired Healthcare Professionals

Several healthcare professionals in Iowa who were terminated from their positions have been awarded unemployment benefits by state administrative law judges. These rulings came after the judges determined that the employers failed to provide sufficient evidence of workplace misconduct. In one case, Garmai Rogers, a former WesleyLife nursing home employee, was awarded benefits after the company could not substantiate allegations of abuse or timely response failures. Similarly, Theresa Simpson, a certified nursing assistant at Terrace Hill Healthcare, received benefits because the company did not establish the merit of complaints against her. Heather Bartlett, a nursing manager at Covenant Medical Center, was also granted benefits, with the judge noting no evidence of misconduct despite her voicing concerns about patient care and filing a complaint against her supervisor. Chasity Kephart, a first-responder community health coach for Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, was awarded benefits after her employer...
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
Big 12 football Week 2 schedule, TV channels, how to watch games

Big 12 football Week 2 schedule, TV channels, how to watch games

How to watch Big 12 football Week 2 games on television this week, including schedule, dates, times, matchups, TV channels, streaming for every game.