Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark remains focused amidst growing attention, while the Hawkeyes advance in the NCAA tournament. Statistician Ken Pomeroy discusses his analytics website and meteorology background. Roger McMullan educates on cicadas through his graphic novel 'Cicadapocalypse.' Iowa experiences its largest fish kill in a decade, and the Supreme Court seems poised to maintain access to a widely used abortion medication. Iowa State's Audi Crooks shines in her NCAA debut, and the Des Moines suburbs emerge as political battlegrounds. A container ship collision with a Baltimore bridge causes significant damage, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans prescribed burns. Texas is temporarily blocked from arresting migrants by a federal appeals court.

The article discusses the changing landscape of the American economy and the increasing importance of higher education beyond high school. Citing Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workplace, it notes that a majority of job openings from 2010 to 2020 will require more than a high school diploma. The National Center for Education Statistics shows an increase in higher education attainment from 2000 to 2017. The article also references data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to highlight well-paying jobs that require an associate degree, acknowledging the growth in such positions and their potential despite the higher lifetime earnings of bachelor's degree holders. The article aims to provide encouragement by listing high-salary jobs attainable with a two-year degree.

The article discusses the formation and impact of hailstorms, particularly focusing on the United States. It explains that hailstorms are caused by updrafts in thunderstorms that freeze water into pellets, which can cause significant economic damage when they fall. The piece provides safety tips for individuals caught in hailstorms and notes that while they can occur from May through September, they are most common in the spring. The article also references a list compiled by Stacker, using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), which ranks states based on the frequency and severity of hailstorms from 2012-2021. It highlights that some states are more prone to hailstorms due to their weather patterns and geography, while others, like Alaska and Hawaii, have not experienced significant hail events in recent years.

The White House salary report to Congress has disclosed that the highest-paid staffer in the White House, excluding the president, is an assistant. The report highlights the pay structure within the White House, where pay rates are based on established tables and congressional mandates, but also indicates that loyalists can be rewarded with higher-paying roles through the use of detailee positions. Stacker used the Annual Report to Congress On White House Office Personnel to compile a list of the 50 highest-paid White House employees, which includes 418 staffers as of June 28, 2019. The report also notes high-profile resignations in July 2019 and excludes elected officials or those with a $0 salary. The president earns $400,000 annually, while the vice president earns $230,700, which is less than the highest-paid staffer. The article also teases information about a highly paid staffer with a background in teaching.

The article discusses the power and variety of extreme weather phenomena, highlighting the importance of being prepared for such events. Stacker has compiled a list of 15 of the most wild and bizarre weather phenomena, emphasizing that while the list is for entertainment, it also aims to educate readers on safety measures. The article provides general guidelines for minimizing injury during dangerous weather situations, such as finding shelter, having a disaster plan, avoiding windows, carrying a charged cell phone, following safety instructions, evacuating when necessary, and staying calm. The underlying message is that preparation can be crucial for survival in the face of natural disasters.

The article discusses the perception of political bias in academia, specifically the belief that higher education institutions tend to be liberal. It acknowledges that while there is no definitive evidence to support the claim that there are more liberals than conservatives in academia, the perception persists. The article references a study by Stacker, which used data from Niche to identify the 50 most liberal universities and colleges in America. Niche's methodology included considering students' self-reported political leanings and survey results about campus political preferences. The data, accurate as of January 2023, suggests that the most liberal schools are often prestigious, large, and well-funded.

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the status of cryptocurrency, specifically altcoins and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), across various countries and regions. It details whether such digital assets are allowed, banned, or subject to future regulations, and highlights the different approaches and legal frameworks that countries have adopted. For instance, while the European Union and Canada allow ICOs with certain regulations, China has banned them outright. The article also mentions the stance of financial authorities like the European Securities and Market Authority and the Canadian Securities Administrators on these digital assets. It covers the regulatory sandbox approach, the application of Anti-Money Laundering/Know Your Customer policies, and the treatment of altcoins as securities or intangible assets. The article provides a global perspective on the legal status of cryptocurrencies, reflecting a diverse range of regulatory environments.

The article discusses the state of the American labor market, focusing on the large percentage of workers earning less than $15 per hour and the disparities among different demographics. It examines the debate over raising the minimum wage, with advocates seeing it as a step towards a living wage and critics arguing it could harm small businesses and low-skilled workers. The article references a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research on Seattle's wage increase, which suggests negative impacts on low-wage earners, but also notes criticism of the study's methodology. It touches on the history of minimum wage laws and the economic arguments surrounding them. The piece also mentions Walmart's wage policies and the potential effects of Trump's tax reform on low-wage earners. The article suggests that while a $15 minimum wage may not be a perfect solution, it is a step towards addressing wage stagnation and economic inequality.

The article discusses the challenges faced by individuals living with sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease that disproportionately affects African-Americans. It highlights the story of Raeshal Solomon and the late rapper Prodigy, who both suffered from the disease. The article points out the disparity in research and treatment for sickle cell compared to other diseases, despite its severe impact on quality of life and life expectancy. The recent FDA approval of Endari, a new drug for sickle cell pain management, is seen as a potential turning point. The article also covers the lack of education and understanding of the disease, the difficulties in managing adult sickle cell, and the hope for a cure through gene therapy, as demonstrated by a successful clinical trial by Bluebird Bio.