IOWA KANSAS OKLAHOMA

May 12 2026SPORTS

Kansas baseball slides in rankings after tough week

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

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May 10 2026POLITICS

Why Kansas Voters Rarely Get a Real Choice

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

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May 08 2026SPORTS

Why Iowa’s football team is betting on smaller-school transfers

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

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May 04 2026POLITICS

Iowa passes strict new criminal laws

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

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Apr 28 2026SPORTS

'Iowa and Iowa State Draft Picks: A Fresh Look at the 2026 NFL Selections'

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,

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Apr 21 2026SPORTS

Kansas Baseball Climbs the Rankings and Sees Big Games Ahead

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

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Apr 20 2026ENVIRONMENT

Iowa’s woodlands need better protection, not extra costs

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

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Apr 18 2026EDUCATION

Kansas Parks That Tell America’s Story

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

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Apr 17 2026SPORTS

Oklahoma’s Rough Patch and Room for Growth

Oklahoma’s softball team took a surprising hit this week, losing two games in a row for the first time this season. Their top-ranked status didn’t stop Oklahoma State from pulling off a strong win, leaving the Sooners with a tough lesson to learn. Coach Gasso wasn’t happy, calling their effort "unac

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Apr 13 2026OPINION

Iowans Fed Up with Political Parties

Iowa isn't falling for the usual political drama. Unlike D. C. ’s endless bickering, Iowa still values real conversations over blind loyalty. People bond over corn dogs at the fair or long bike rides, not party slogans. But the state’s voting system forces independents into uncomfortable choices. Ov

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