Midwest Home Sales Hit Lowest Level Since Late 2023
(Iowa) — In March, the Midwest recorded its lowest level of home sales since December 2023. Nadia Evangelou, principal economist with the National Association of Realtors, says the region remains the most affordable, but buyers are still cautious, and homeownership is out of reach for many. She adds that despite the slowdown, the Midwest housing market is expected to rebound quickly.
Bill Restricting Mail-Order Abortion Pills Moving Forward After House Debate
(Iowa) — A bill that would restrict mail-order abortion pills in Iowa is moving forward after a debate in the Iowa House. The bill would require a doctor’s visit and informed consent before a patient is prescribed abortion pills. If the proposal is approved, patients would only be able to take the abortion pills in a healthcare setting. Republicans say they aim to regulate the abortion pill, and prevent the sale of what they call black market abortion medications.
Iowa Football Team Vacating 2023 Wins
(Iowa City, IA) — The University of Iowa football team is vacating four wins from the 2023 season as part of an NCAA punishment. The organization says head coach Kirk Ferentz [[ FARE-ents ]] and an assistant coach engaged in tampering in 2022 when recruiting a player who was on another team at the time. The case centers around quarterback Cade McNamara, who transferred to Iowa from Michigan before the 2023 season. The NCAA says phone calls and text messages between McNamara and the Iowa football program were impermissible and made him ineligible to play for the Hawkeyes. Iowa will vacate the wins McNamara was part of while he was ineligible.
>One In Three Central Iowa Households Can’t Afford Basic Needs According To New Report
(Iowa) — One in three central Iowa households can’t afford basic needs. A new United Way of Central Iowa report says rising costs are making it harder for families to pay for essentials like food, housing, clothing, and transportation. It also finds more than 43 percent of renters spend at least 30 percent of their income on housing. The 2026 Community Report looks at economic opportunity, education success, and health and well-being.
Des Moines Ranks 10th for Tech Jobs in Midwest
(Des Moines, IA) — Des Moines ranks tenth for tech jobs among Midwestern metro areas, according to a new study. The report by CommercialCafe ranked metros using nine factors, including tech job growth, median tech earnings, and employment density. Madison, Wisconsin, ranked first overall, followed by Ann Arbor, Michigan.
