Illinois is seeing more dust storms these days, and they’re not just an annoyance—they’re a serious danger. Strong winds can lift dry soil from farm fields, creating sudden walls of dust that reduce visibility to almost zero. These storms can appear quickly, turning highways into risky zones for dri
Kansas baseball had a rough week at the plate and in the standings. A seven-day stretch that included four defeats pushed the team out of the top ten in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. The Jayhawks entered the past week ranked ninth with an overall record of 37 wins and 15 losses. But los
Kansas stands out in American politics for a surprising reason: nearly one-third of its state legislative races in 2024 had no competition at all. That means 57 winners took office without facing a single opponent, locking in their positions before any votes were cast. The pattern isn’t random—two-t
Iowa’s football program brought in 15 new players in 2026, and most came from schools outside the top tier of college football. Nearly nine out of ten transfers joined from leagues below the Power 5, a clear sign the Hawkeyes are hunting for hidden talent that bigger programs often overlook. The mov
Iowa just approved a set of new penalties for crimes that supporters call "firm but fair" and critics warn could fill prisons faster than they can handle. The changes include longer sentences for violent acts and stricter rules for repeat offenders. Lawmakers debated for weeks before pushing it thro
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is no stranger to writing big checks for political battles. But if he decides to run for president in 2028, he won’t be footing the entire bill himself. That’s according to people close to his inner circle, who say he’s already testing the waters with national fundraise
Iowa and Iowa State each had a different story in the 2026 NFL Draft, which ran from April 23 to 25. Only one player from Iowa State landed a spot on an NFL roster: defensive tackle Domonique Orange was chosen 82nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings. Analysts say he is a strong stop‑gap defender,
Kansas baseball has moved up in the national rankings, jumping from 21st to 16th place in a recent coaches poll. The team shares that spot with Nebraska, and the two schools will meet again this week in Lawrence. Kansas is leading its conference after winning a recent series against Oklahoma S
Iowa once had twice as much forest as it does today. Back in 1906, lawmakers created the Forest Reserve Program to stop landowners from clearing poor soil land. The idea was simple: leave trees standing to prevent erosion, protect clean water, and support wildlife. Instead of paying taxes on low-val
Kansas quietly guards some of the nation’s most meaningful places, where grasslands roar, forts stand frozen in time, and a single courtroom changed the course of schooling forever. Five spots across the state fall under the National Park Service, each with a different heartbeat. Four lean into huma
