Midwest Inflation Continues to Outpace National Rate
(Des Moines, IA) — Midwest inflation rose to four-point-six percent in October, outpacing the national rate for nine straight months. The rising costs of housing, transportation and food were the biggest factors for the spike in Midwest inflation last month. A Common Sense Institute Iowa report finds the typical household spent an additional 63-thousand dollars than in 2020 to maintain the same standard of living. The report says consumer prices in the Midwest are up more than 31-percent in the last six years.
Iowa Board of Regents Hears Proposals from The State’s Three Public Universities
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Board of Regents heard proposed changes from the state’s three public universities Wednesday. Iowa State University proposed eliminating 11 programs, including wind energy science and high energy physics, citing reduced interest. The University of Northern Iowa says it’s considering a new 90-hour degree program for students pursuing higher education at an older age. The University of Iowa outlined plans to expand patrols downtown through a partnership with Iowa City Police. The Board plans on discussing the search for a new UNI president on Thursday. Current President Mark Nook says he is retiring at the end of this school year.
Measles Case Confirmed in A Child in Polk County
(Des Moines, IA) — The Polk County Health Department is confirming a new measles case in a child. The department says, during the time the child was contagious, they visited several locations in Ankeny and Des Moines. This includes the Wal-Mart on National Drive last Thursday, Hy-Vee on North Ankeny Boulevard last Friday and Unity Point Urgent Care and Blank Children’s Hospital on Sunday. Fifty cases have been reported statewide.
Hinterland Announces Headliners For 2027 Festival
(St. Charles, IA) — Central Iowa’s Hinterland Festival has announced its lineup for 2027. On Wednesday, the festival announced Slayyyter Phoebe Bridgers and Billy Strings will headline the festival, with a number of supporting artists on the lineup. The three-day music festival in St. Charles is set for July 30 to August 1, 2027. Presale starts tomorrow.
Iowa Attorney General Joins 49 Peers Urging Improvements to Robocall Mitigation Database
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is joining 49 other attorneys general calling for improvements to the Robocall Mitigation Database. The coalition of attorneys general is urging the FCC to strengthen requirements for voice service providers that use the RMD, saying the FCC should require more disclosures, verify providers’ filings and make it more difficult for scammers to enter and remain inside the database. The coalition argues the changes would strengthen the RMD’s effectiveness at reducing illegal calls.
