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States Aid Monarch Butterfly Migration with Roadside Habitats

States Aid Monarch Butterfly Migration with Roadside Habitats

Eastern monarch butterflies have begun their annual 2,000-mile migration south through the central U.S. to overwinter in Mexico. States are actively assisting this migration by planting milkweed and native plant habitats along roadways. This initiative stems from a significant decline in monarch populations, which reached a record low in 2013, with their overwintering grounds in Mexico shrinking from 50 square acres to fewer than three. The Obama administration formed a task force to address this decline, leading to the idea of creating monarch habitats along interstate highways. While the initial "Monarch Highway" project along I-35 faced funding and priority challenges, states like Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa have independently embraced the concept. Illinois, whose official state insect is the monarch, has established the Route 66 Monarch Flyway, and Missouri has the Highway 13 Butterfly Trail. Iowa has been reintroducing native plants along roadsides for decades, providing crucial habitat for butterfli...

Price of gas, diesel fuel continue to soar

Price of gas, diesel fuel continue to soar

The price of crude oil continues to soar. Gas prices are high, again, and diesel fuel cost is causing truckers to sit some rigs.

Why grocery prices could rise after a summer of extreme weather

Why grocery prices could rise after a summer of extreme weather

Scientists say climate change is increasing the intensity of extreme weather events, while this year's El Niño could further disrupt food production.

Scientists Research Deeper-Rooted Crops to Enhance Climate Resilience and Carbon Sequestration

Scientists Research Deeper-Rooted Crops to Enhance Climate Resilience and Carbon Sequestration

Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies are investigating whether genetically engineered crops with deeper root systems can help combat climate change. The goal is for these roots to withstand the effects of climate change, such as drought, while also drawing more carbon from the atmosphere and storing it underground. Over the past six years, Salk scientists have created an 'encyclopedia' of plant genomes, identifying 347 genes related to carbon storage and root growth. By editing the DNA of common row crops like soybeans and sorghum, they have developed plants with roots that penetrate deeper into the soil. An $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund is supporting field tests in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa to measure the resilience of these plants to climate stressors, their carbon storage capacity, and their potential for large-scale adoption on farms. Initial field results are expected this fall.

Midwest Faces Elevated Flash Flood Threat as Stalled Front Brings Heavy Rainfall

Midwest Faces Elevated Flash Flood Threat as Stalled Front Brings Heavy Rainfall

The Midwest region, including areas from eastern Iowa to northern Illinois, northern Indiana, and western Ohio, is under an elevated threat of flash flooding due to persistent heavy rainfall. A frontal boundary has stalled across the central U.S., leading to multiple days of rain and storms. This weather pattern is influenced by a heat dome positioned in the Southeast, which causes approaching fronts to slow down and release significant precipitation over the same areas in the Midwest. Cities such as Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Columbus are particularly vulnerable to local flash flooding. These areas have already experienced flooding rain in the preceding week, and the saturated ground increases the likelihood of further flooding with additional rainfall.

Salk Institute Researchers Develop Deeper-Rooted Crops to Combat Climate Change and Enhance Food Security

Salk Institute Researchers Develop Deeper-Rooted Crops to Combat Climate Change and Enhance Food Security

Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies are developing genetically modified crops with deeper root systems to combat climate change and improve food security. This initiative, part of the Harnessing Plants Initiative, aims to enable crops like soybeans and sorghum to store more carbon underground and withstand drought conditions. Scientists have identified 347 genes related to carbon storage and root growth, allowing them to edit plant DNA to create roots that penetrate further into the soil. The goal is to leverage natural plant variations to enhance carbon sequestration and improve plant resilience. An $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund is supporting field tests to measure the effectiveness of these deeper-rooted plants in real farming conditions, assessing their drought resistance, carbon storage capacity, and impact on crop yields. Initial field results are anticipated this fall from test sites in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa.

Corn Belt Ports Consortium Receives U.S. Maritime Administration Center of Excellence Designation

Corn Belt Ports Consortium Receives U.S. Maritime Administration Center of Excellence Designation

The Corn Belt Ports Rural Maritime & Logistics Training & Education Consortium, led by Western Illinois University (WIU), has been designated as a 2026 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). This recognition highlights the consortium's efforts to prepare workers for careers in the national supply chain, encompassing afloat, ashore, and logistics roles. The consortium, a collaborative initiative between WIU and Corn Belt Ports, involves partners across Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Its focus is on river ports and terminals, inland waterways, multimodal freight, logistics, and maritime-adjacent workforce development. According to MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel, these Centers of Excellence are crucial for training the next generation of maritime workers and enhancing shipbuilding capabilities. The designation also emphasizes the consortium's support for the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway lock-and...

U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski Receives 2026 Champion of the Industry Award from AEM

U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski Receives 2026 Champion of the Industry Award from AEM

U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) has been honored with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers' (AEM) 2026 Champion of the Industry Award. This recognition is bestowed upon policymakers who demonstrate leadership in supporting policies that enhance America's industrial competitiveness. Representative Budzinski, who is currently running for re-election in the 13th Congressional District against Republican Jeff Wilson, expressed her honor in accepting the award, emphasizing her role as a champion for the people who drive the industry, from farm workers to contractors. AEM's Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations, Kip Eideberg, highlighted that the award recipients, including Budzinski, have shown unwavering commitment to policies that empower equipment manufacturers to innovate, compete globally, create jobs, and invest in their communities. The award is AEM's highest recognition for public servants, selected by their Government and Public Affairs Committee for support of l...

Stewart Hagestad joins exclusive club with second Crump Cup win at Pine Valley

Stewart Hagestad joins exclusive club with second Crump Cup win at Pine Valley

Stewart Hagestad secured his second consecutive Crump Cup victory at Pine Valley Golf Club on Sunday.

Hy-Vee to Offer Free Drive-Thru Flu Shots in September Across Multiple States

Hy-Vee to Offer Free Drive-Thru Flu Shots in September Across Multiple States

Hy-Vee is set to provide free drive-thru flu shots during September, with additional opportunities for vaccination throughout the flu season. Individuals receiving a flu shot at Hy-Vee will also be eligible for a 20-cent Fuel Saver reward. While appointments are not mandatory, patients have the option to schedule their flu shots online in advance. Hy-Vee Pharmacies also allow for multiple vaccines to be administered during a single visit. Flu shots are available without a prescription for eligible patients aged 6 months and older in Hy-Vee stores located in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. For Hy-Vee locations in Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, flu shots are available to patients aged 3 years and older, in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' PREP Act. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, ideally in September or October, to allow time for antibody development before potential ex...

Midwest Faces Elevated Flash Flood Threat Amidst Persistent Rainfall and Heat Dome

Midwest Faces Elevated Flash Flood Threat Amidst Persistent Rainfall and Heat Dome

The Midwest region of the U.S. is currently experiencing an elevated threat of flash flooding, particularly in areas like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis. This situation is primarily due to a stalled frontal boundary combined with a persistent heat dome located in the Southeast. These meteorological conditions are leading to continuous rounds of heavy rain and storms across the affected areas. Regions including eastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, northwest Indiana, and southwest Michigan are under a moderate risk of flash flooding. Flood watches have been issued and are expected to remain in effect through Sunday morning. Localized heavy downpours are anticipated to cause isolated flash flooding impacts, especially in areas with poor drainage, throughout Sunday. The rainfall is a result of storms traveling around the outer rim of the heat dome, causing any approaching fronts to slow down and release their moisture over the same Midwestern areas.

Severe Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding in Illinois, Iowa

Severe Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding in Illinois, Iowa

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for northeastern Illinois and eastern Iowa until 2:15 AM CDT on Sunday. Thunderstorms are moving northeast at 50 mph, bringing strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall to the region. Additionally, a Flash Flood Warning is in place until 7:30 AM CDT due to the potential for significant rainfall and localized flooding. The Quad-Cities area is also under a heat advisory through Thursday evening, with high temperatures expected to persist. These weather conditions are part of an active weather system impacting the region overnight and into the early morning hours.