The budding advanced biofuel industry stretches from Emmetsburg in the west to Marion in the east in Iowa, and also to several other parts of the country. Although business and political challenges remain, engineers have concocted an expensive cocktail of chemicals called enzymes that are too small
The thought of turning your dinner table leftovers, old cardboard boxes and even dirty diapers into fuel for your car might sound ambitious, or even absurd. But scientists, bioengineers and profit-minded businesspeople say they can do it.
The Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism is in an ambitious year in which it wants to engage Iowans in news that affects their lives. You can support that effort
Federal crop insurance programs may serve even greater roles when it comes to farmers’ risk management plans, in light of a recent government report on global warming, industry officials say.
Earlier this month, the White House released the 2014 National Climate Assessment. Among its findings, the assessment reported that climate change will threaten U.S. food security and negatively effect the $330 billion a year agriculture industry. If the assessment's predictions hold true, crop insu
The agriculture industry will soon face more frequent extreme weather and more tenacious pests, according to a White House assessment released earlier this month. If farmers cannot overcome these challenges, then U.S. crop and farm profits will decline, the assessment warned.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported an estimated $6.2 billion in improper payments in 2013, according to an Office of Inspector General’s April report. Read the report here.
Roughly half of Iowa’s 30 largest districts have updated their school emergency response policies, adopting a popular national program that safety experts say might not be the best choice.
WITH A VIDEO REPORT: "FEEDING THE TANNING HABIT". Millions of people, especially of college age, tan in this country even though they are well aware of the health risks that go with tanning.
Jay Capron, host of Our Town on KXIC radio, AM 800, featured on Tuesday, May 20, IowaWatch stories about debt carried by college graduates in Iowa and hidden costs of study abroad for college students. Our Town features IowaWatch the third Tuesday of every month.
Wet and soggy conditions in some parts of the United States are delaying spring planting for farmers. The conditions have grown so unfavorable in some areas that farmers are taking to social media to publicize their problems. On Twitter, the tag “#plant14” has frequently been populated by images of
GOING GLOBAL special report: Iowans and international students studying at one of the state’s universities and colleges are missing out on a huge opportunity – each other.
