This year marked a record number of state beach closings due to microcystin, a liver toxin produced by cyanobacteria, more commonly called blue-green algae. What are the risks for people, pets and livestock that come into contact with the toxin? And why are we seeing more of it at Iowa beaches?
A “place of enchantment” that promised to “bewilder attendees with its surpassing beauty” and “compel the admiration of all who see it.” Those flattering words described the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904 or as most people called it — the St. Louis World’s Fair.
The presidential race is heating up in Iowa but also other states. Each state has its own way of determining which candidate from the Republican and Democratic parties will get support. These three questions should help you understand Iowa’s method – the precinct caucuses.
Cargill is on its way to dominate another part of the food supply chain. Last week, Cargill announced it had entered into a $1.5 billion agreement to buy EWOS, an international salmon feed supplier based in Norway.
Research on marijuana’s potential for medicinal use has been hampered for years by federal restrictions, even though nearly half of the states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana in some form. News21 report.
Agribusiness giant Cargill last week released its annual corporate responsibility report, a set of goals focused on sustainability that influence how the company will operate worldwide.
In April 1910 the US Census Bureau reported 2,400 Iowa farmers raised over 20,664 goats and kids on their farms. But only 266 of those reported producing goat hair or mohair. If they weren’t raising the goats for the fleece, why did so many Iowa farmers have the animals?
Register now for the IowaWatch annual banquet. First Amendment expert and educator Ken Paulson will be the guest speaker at the third annual Celebrating a Free Press and Open Government Banquet, titled this year “Journalism's Core...The Contemporary First Amendment.
Investigate Midwest takes a look in a series of reports at U.S. renewable fuel policy, corn ethanol and advanced biofuels, all important topics in Iowa.
This year, Iowa’s state-owned beaches set records for the number of health advisories issued for high microcystin levels. Microcystin is a liver toxin that can form from cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae. Test your knowledge of algae and microcystin in Iowa lakes.
That paint-like scum that covers some Iowa lakes every summer isn’t just gross and smelly. People, pets, and livestock coming into contact with or ingesting toxins produced by the algae are at risk to symptoms including skin rashes, gastrointestinal issues and, in high doses, liver failure. The toxi