ALASKA COLORADO UTAH IOWA

May 04 2026EDUCATION

Colorado’s School Funding Plan: Big Numbers, Small Impact?

Colorado plans to give K-12 schools nearly $195 million more next year, but that might not go as far as it seems. Lawmakers agreed to boost per-student funding by $440, bringing the total to over $12, 000 per child. Still, many rural schools worry the increase won’t cover rising costs or plug budget

reading time less than a minute
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

reading time less than a minute
May 01 2026POLITICS

How Utah’s New District Could Shape the Next Election

Utah’s political scene is getting a shake-up this year, and the changes could surprise even seasoned voters. A recent push to modernize the state’s nomination system has opened doors for more candidates to compete in primaries. But with so few people showing up to traditional caucuses, the process s

reading time less than a minute
May 01 2026ENVIRONMENT

Farmers in Colorado face tough season after sudden freeze hits early fruit

Colorado’s fruit growers are dealing with a harsh truth this year. A late spring freeze wiped out peach and other stone fruit crops on the Western Slope, even though winter had been unusually warm and dry. One farm, Ela Family Farms, confirmed that none of their peaches survived the sudden drop in t

reading time less than a minute
Apr 30 2026WEATHER

Snow can\'t fix Colorado\'s deep drought

Colorado\'s mountains might get up to a foot of fresh snow this week, but experts warn it won\'t solve the state\'s growing water crisis. After a brutal winter with little snow and extreme heat, recent storms have brought only brief relief. Weather teams confirm the incoming storm will dump several

reading time less than a minute
Apr 29 2026OPINION

Finding a better way for Alaska's schools

Alaska's schools face tough problems today. Many classrooms have fewer students than before. Some people think closing schools is the only answer. But that misses the real issue. Years of decisions have left schools struggling. Money problems make it hard to help students. When schools can't give k

reading time less than a minute
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,

reading time less than a minute
Apr 28 2026EDUCATION

School spending cuts hurt Anchorage students more than you think

Alaska’s school funding has dropped behind other states in a big way. While most states increased education spending by 26% from 2017 to 2022, Alaska only managed a 13% increase — barely enough to cover rising costs. Even when adjusted for Alaska’s high living expenses, the state still spends 15% le

reading time less than a minute
Apr 26 2026POLITICS

Why Alaska's Pension Plan Rewrite Gets Controversial Fast

Alaska’s government is updating how thousands of public workers save for retirement—but not everyone likes the changes. A new bill pushes the state to bring back guaranteed pensions after an old system collapsed in 2006. That earlier plan failed because lawmakers didn’t pay enough into it, leaving w

reading time less than a minute
Apr 25 2026OPINION

Will trains make a comeback in Colorado?

Colorado is bringing back passenger trains after a long break. The new service will run three times a day between Fort Collins and Denver starting in 2027. It’s a big change from 1967, when the last passenger train left the tracks. Back then, people listened to songs like “Penny Lane” and “Purple Ha

reading time less than a minute