I spoke with Cedar Rapids-based landscape architect Natalie Ross about lawn obsessions, native plants and working with her post-derecho yard. Check it out here: www.thegazette.com/news/environ...

The rising cost of gasoline is hard on everyone, but for small business owners who provide their own transportation, it's even worse. I spoke with some Cedar Rapids entrepreneurs to get their perspective. Read more here: www.thegazette.com/news/gas-cos...

Ever wonder why a lane of traffic is blocked even when there's no work actively being done? Find out here: www.thegazette.com/news/state/c...

The City of Cedar Rapids is investigating the Hamilton St and Northwest Ellis Blvd neighborhoods for lead service lines as part of a long-term project. Utilities director Roy Hesemann says the risk of lead exposure for homes with lead lines is still low. More here: www.thegazette.com/news/cedar-r...

Local nonprofit Wings2Water announced $30K in grant funds yesterday. Learn more about the seven organizations and the projects they're working on here: www.thegazette.com/news/environ...

The weather may not be right for it just yet, but when it's time to cool off @thegazette.com has a guide for you to find out when your public pools and splash pads open for the summer. Check it out: www.thegazette.com/lifestyles/r...

There is currently only one reported case associated with the outbreak in Iowa https://www.thegazette.com/news/healthcare/worried-about-salmonella-wash-your-hands-says-linn-county-health-expert/article_4da95270-33d4-4ec6-8cc8-4d8287ff1616.html 

At a roundtable with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa members yesterday, Rob Sand said he would veto further abortion limits and end Medicaid privatization. Read comments from Sand and participating healthcare workers here: www.thegazette.com/news/politic...

You may have heard about the multistate salmonella outbreaks the CDC is investigating. The good news is staying safe is easy: public health expert Heather Meador says handwashing is key. www.thegazette.com/news/healthc...

You simply MUST read my colleague Elijah Decious' story about a doggy drag show in Iowa City. It will be the highlight of your day! www.thegazette.com/news/local/i...

Considering a radon mitigation system for your home but not sure where to start? Check out my latest story for The Gazette, which walks you through the testing and installation process. www.thegazette.com/news/healthc...

You may have seen CDC reports that more people are heading to the ER for tick bites, but that doesn't mean they're more common or dangerous. Most tick bites don't require emergency care even if you develop an infection, according to an Iowa ER physician. More here: www.thegazette.com/news/healthc...

It's been six months since SNAP benefits were delayed for families nationwide. Representatives from Eastern Iowa food pantries say the delay's lasting impact is growing mistrust in the SNAP program. Read more here: www.thegazette.com/news/snap-cu...

Did you know this year's Freedom Festival parade will be in Hiawatha for the first time? Find out why here: www.thegazette.com/news/freedom...

I hope you'll join me in donating to ProjectSLOMiles, an initiative from @thegazette.com to raise funds for our longtime photographer Jim Slosiarek. Jim is a stand-up-guy who goes above and beyond to ensure our stories are as well illustrated as they are written. www.thegazette.com/sports/proje...

Madison Hricik and Jeff Linder have co-founded PROJECT SLO MILES, a fundraiser for Gazette photo editor Jim Slosiarek. https://www.thegazette.com/sports/project-slo-miles-our-way-of-honoring-a-co-worker-on-june-7/article_8db7daf7-490c-4092-80b5-c3326dfa0cba.html 

‘The number of patients seen at the North Liberty campus has far surpassed our initial projections’ https://www.thegazette.com/news/university-of-iowa-north-liberty-hospital-exceeds-first-year-patient-expectations/article_807a7018-0b7e-4666-a150-721a12319bf4.html 

The inauguration of the Eastern Iowa Hindu Temple and Cultural Center Saturday marked a milestone for the local Hindu community. https://www.thegazette.com/news/eastern-iowa-hindu-community-celebrates-new-cultural-home/article_ab90227b-a300-45fb-8834-899a19f41fe7.html  

Saturday was a vibrant celebration of Eastern Iowa's blossoming Hindu community as the Eastern Iowa Hindu Temple and Cultural Center opened its cultural center. Read more here, and be sure to check out the excellent video from @baileycichon.bsky.social! www.thegazette.com/news/eastern...

It's not just you — local government operations are feeling the impact of higher fuel prices. Essential services like school transportation and firefighting will continue regardless of cost, but some departments' budgets are more flexible than others. More here: www.thegazette.com/news/diesel-...

107 Iowa National Guard soldiers received a warm welcome home yesterday from their friends, family and dogs. Check out the story (with a great video from @baileycichon.bsky.social) here: www.thegazette.com/news/iowa-na...

Commuters, rejoice! Although construction is picking up on I-380, the end is in sight. Get the details here: www.thegazette.com/news/the-end...

Darin Monroe wants to keep his soil where it belongs — on his property and out of the Yellow River. By working with his local watershed coordinator, he's made improvements to his land that align with USDA best practices for water quality. Read more here: www.thegazette.com/news/environ...

In 2026, Iowa is slated to get over $202 million in tobacco settlements and revenue from tobacco sales. Yet the state will only spend $3 million on anti-tobacco programs, and none of it will come directly from those sources. Read more: www.thegazette.com/news/healthc...

More Americans are eligible to open an health savings account — a kind of tax-free investment account that lets them sock away money for medical expenses — after changes that were part of new legislation last year. More on how HSAs work and when they’re worth it ⤵️

Iowa health care providers could opt out of procedures that violate their moral and ethical beliefs under a bill passed by the legislature last week. Advocates say it could have an outsized impact on LGBTQ+ Iowans' access to care. Read more here: www.thegazette.com/news/healthc...

Smoke-free casinos bill moving again in Iowa House after Senate lawmakers rejected similar proposal

Influenza activity increases in Iowa

Capitol Notebook: Iowa begins distribution of $78.6M in federal funding for rural health care

Bill to fund pediatric cancer research advances in Iowa Legislature after three-year push

A very belated announcement – this Tuesday marked my 3-month anniversary of becoming a health care reporter at The Gazette in Cedar Rapids! I was absent here while I adjusted to my new role, but I'm back and excited to share my work with you all.

Chicago is installing almost 300 air quality sensors around the city to identify pollution hotspots. Neighborhood environmental justice groups are helping, but some have mixed feelings about the project. Read more: www.chicagoreporter.com/chicagos-new...

In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said it would stop enforcing the terms of a 2023 agreement designed to address environmental inequity in Chicago. The city and advocates both say they're still committed. insideclimatenews.org/news/2908202...

Excited to share my latest story about something I never get tired of learning about – bugs! Thanks to the folks at @bioacoustics.bsky.social and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute for making this piece possible 🦗