News

Jan 2026 16

Bing, Gucci, and more: Get to know Iowa’s viral animal stars

By Sam Cohen | LOCAL CULTURE, EVERGREEN, Sam Cohen

Iowa animals have been going viral for over a decade. Here are some of the state’s biggest animal stars.

Jan 2026 12

All about Arabella Mansfield and 3 other Iowa women who made history

By Sam Cohen | LOCAL PEOPLE, EVERGREEN, Sam Cohen

Arabella Mansfield, Getrude Rush, Edna Griffin, and Carrie Chapman Catt made history in Iowa and beyond. Here are their stories.

Carrie Chapman Catt, celebrating her campaign's victory. (Amir Abouelw/Shutterstock).

Jan 2026 8

Clean water advocates announce demands for Iowa rivers, streams

By Public News Service | LOCAL NEWS, COMMUNITY, Public News Service

The environmental advocacy group Food & Water Watch has announced a 20-point "clean water blueprint" it says would help protect Iowa's waterways from toxic levels of nitrate and phosphorous pollution. Manure from large-scale agriculture operations routinely pollutes ground and surface water nearby.

Dec 2025 15

Tapestry Farms Executive Director Ann McGlynn on bringing joy to the Quad Cities’ refugee community

By Rowen Light-Wills | LOCAL CULTURE, EVERGREEN, Rowen Light-Wills

Tapestry Farms provides resources to the Quad Cities’ refugee community. We spoke with executive director Ann McGlynn about how its mission has changed lives for the better.

Dec 2025 15

Iowa environmental researchers push back on clean water claims

By Public News Service | LOCAL NEWS, COMMUNITY, Public News Service

The Iowa Farm Bureau has released a statement claiming that the state's waterways are becoming cleaner, despite evidence that nitrates and phosphates are higher than ever.

Iowa's nitrate pollution is not short-term, but continuous, and has been linked to cancer in a state with the nation's second highest number of new cases.

Dec 2025 4

Ordinary Iowans who performed extraordinary acts of kindness in 2025

By Dorothy Scott | LOCAL PEOPLE, COMMUNITY, Dorothy Scott

Acts of kindness can bring a smile like nothing else. Here are nine of our favorite everyday stories in 2025, from rescuing animals to ending local hunger.

Dec 2025 3

Collaboration and Care Guide Return of Meskwaki Artifacts From UNI to Their Tribal Home

By Sam Cohen | LOCAL NEWS, COMMUNITY, Sam Cohen

The Meskwaki Nation worked with the University of Northern Iowa to return cultural artifacts to the tribe. The items will now be housed at The Meskwaki Cultural Center and Museum.