Iowa

While some school district leaders report positive immediate outcomes, there is limited research to show how shortening the school week affects student learning and socialization — or how parents tackle child care and work schedules.

A new survey from The Midwest Newsroom and Emerson College Polling Center asked registered voters in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska about measures on Nov. 5 ballots as well as a variety of political, social and economic subjects.

Documentation status, language barriers and lack of information can all create barriers for immigrants to access federal grants. Now a number of organizations are stepping in to provide direct support.

Donald Trump has endorsed three of the Republicans running for Missouri governor in this Tuesday's primary. The candidates have some policy differences, but the race is more about personality. Plus: How Iowa's new abortion ban could affect care in Kansas.

An Iowa law that bans abortion as early as six weeks of pregnancy is poised to go into effect next week. The law could have rippling affects on abortion care across the Midwest.

This weekend, two teams based in Olathe, Kansas will play in the Granny Basketball national championships. Organizers want to foster camaraderie, sportsmanship and a “gentle game” for women over age 50. Plus: the elite violinist whose world-renowned musical family called Kansas City home.

Two teams based in Olathe, Kansas, will play in the Granny Basketball national tournament this weekend in Decorah, Iowa. Organizers aim to foster camaraderie, sportsmanship and 'a gentle game' for women over age 50.

One Kansas hospital was planning to start welcoming 100 nurses from the Philippines this fall. But a lengthy backlog in visa applications has put that on hold, possibly for a year or longer. Plus: A handful of states have not adopted the federal government’s option to extend postpartum care coverage for mothers on Medicaid.

For two years, federal funds have been available for states to extend postpartum health care from two months to a full year for moms on Medicaid. The policy is popular across the Midwest, with Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska all adopting an extension. Iowa remains hesitant.

Mexico’s plan to ban all genetically modified corn imports has upset U.S. corn farmers, trade groups and officials. The two nations are in talks and have until April 7 to resolve it before the U.S. can take action under the free trade agreement between North American countries.

Emergency allotments that took effect in 2020 for those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will end next month. Many expect the decrease will be especially challenging for low-income families.

Midwesterners are becoming more familiar with derechos after two major storms hit the region in as many years. Scientists are grappling with how to define the storms, gather data and predict what the future of derechos will look like.