A severe thunderstorm outbreak is forecast across parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening, with the highest risk focused on northern Illinois, far eastern Iowa, and far southern Wisconsin.

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The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley, Midwest and Great Lakes region under Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) through June 11 and 12, 2026, warning that thunderstorms may produce hail larger than 5 cm (2 inches), wind gusts exceeding 120 km/h (75 mph) and several tornadoes, including a few strong tornadoes.

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Dangerous heat is expected across much of the central United States on June 9, 2026, with multiple National Weather Service offices warning that heat index values will reach 38 to 42°C (100 to 108°F) during the afternoon and evening. Heat Advisories remain in effect across Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, with the most…

The Center for Intellectual Freedom is a comically-named educational institution established by Iowa's conservative legislature to counter the liberal indoctrination of traditional education. Few students have availed themselves of its "top-tier scholarship," though, though, leaving commissars with a numbers problem. A solution is at hand: force University of Iowa students to take classes there…

As War in Iran Drives Push for Energy Security, Energy Storage Forecast Revised Upwards over Next Five Years WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. energy storage industry installed 9.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of new capacity in the first quarter of 2026, the strongest first quarter in the sector’s history. According to the ... [continued]

The post REPORT: U.S. Adds 10 GWh of New Energy Storage Capacity in…

When looking at "American Gothic," context is everything.

The post A seemingly innocent painting of a farmer and family member caused outrage in 1930 appeared first on Upworthy.

A Particularly Dangerous Situtation (PDS) Tornado Watch issued for northeast Kansas and southeast Nebraska on May 18, 2026, was followed by multiple tornado reports, hail up to about 7 cm (2.75 inches), and damaging wind reports across the central U.S. Preliminary SPC storm reports included 19 tornadoes, damage to farm structures, grain bins, trees, and power lines.

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At least 25 tornadoes were reported across four states in the central United States on May 17, 2026, with widespread damage being reported in parts of Iowa and Nebraska.

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DES MOINES, Iowa — The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rolling back protections that stop coal-burning power plants from dumping toxic wastewater—including arsenic, mercury, selenium, and lead—from coal ash waste landfills into U.S. waterways. The discharge of coal ash wastewater has been an issue at Iowa coal plants, including in Sioux City on ... [continued]

The post Iowa…

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) placed Iowa under an Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms late May 15, 2026, with severe/damaging winds and large to very large hail forecast late this afternoon and evening. Initial supercells may produce hail of 5 cm (2 inches) or larger before storms organize into clusters capable of localized wind gusts above 120 km/h (75 mph).

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Janet Varney and John Hodgman are ready to celebrate the 2026 MaxFun Drive! Now is the best time to go to MaximumFun.org/joinmotto to become a MaxFun Member for as little as $5 a month. With that recurring contribution you’ve helped ensure that this show will continue and earned access to our bonus content library. Our hosts will take a look at each state from season 2 to discuss which movies…

An Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms is in place from eastern Iowa into southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and the southern Great Lakes region on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with large to giant hail, several tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and severe wind gusts possible from late afternoon through overnight. The threat follows an April 13 outbreak that produced at least 14…

A severe weather outbreak on April 13, 2026, produced at least 14 preliminary tornado reports across Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with the most serious reported damage in and near Ottawa. No fatalities were immediately reported, but storm surveys were still underway as forecasters warned of additional rounds of severe weather through at least April 16.

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The new analysis combines science on environmental risk factors with the lived experiences of Iowans battling cancer.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect across the Central Plains and Southeast United States on March 28, 2026, as the National Weather Service (NWS) warns of critical fire weather conditions driven by strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels. Wind gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph) and humidity levels as low as 10–20% are expected to promote rapid fire ignition and spread. Outdoor burning is…

An Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms is in effect for parts of the Midwest on March 10, 2026, including northeast Missouri, southeast Iowa, northern and central Illinois, and northwest Indiana. The forecast environment supports the development of supercells and organized thunderstorm clusters capable of producing tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail during the afternoon and evening…

This odd battle has been going on for so long that I had actually forgotten about it. There’s a quirk in some US state laws that they require automobiles to be sold through 3rd party auto dealers. That is actually rooted in something, in some potential for consumer abuse identified ... [continued]

The post You Can’t Buy EVs Directly from Auto Manufacturers in Iowa … But Maybe Soon appeared first…