Iowa Watch https://www.iowawatch.org/ The Pulse of Iowa Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:23:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://www.iowawatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/iowawatch-favicon-150x150.webp Iowa Watch https://www.iowawatch.org/ 32 32 Why Iowa Families Are Spending More on Vacations – and Getting Less https://www.iowawatch.org/iowa-families-vacation-costs/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:23:59 +0000 https://www.iowawatch.org/?p=3050 Iowa families are paying more for smaller vacations. Household costs are up, with families spending an estimated $1,435 more per month than in 2020 to maintain the same standard of living. Midwest consumer prices are up 29.2% since January 2020, and the typical Iowa household has spent about $54,536 more over that period. Gas, lodging, ... Read more

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]]> Iowa Ecommerce Statistics 2026: What Online Sellers Should Know https://www.iowawatch.org/iowa-ecommerce-statistics/ Wed, 13 May 2026 13:37:31 +0000 https://www.iowawatch.org/?p=3030 Iowa ecommerce in 2026 gives online sellers a market that looks smaller than coastal states, yet still carries serious buying power. Estimated online retail sales in Iowa sit around $10.4 billion, with strong digital access, a population near 3.24 million, and early 2026 retail momentum in categories like apparel, hobby products, sporting goods, specialty retail, ... Read more

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]]> Is Iowa Still Affordable? The 10 Cheapest Counties to Buy a House in 2026 https://www.iowawatch.org/is-iowa-still-affordable/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:05:43 +0000 https://www.iowawatch.org/?p=3017 Iowa still looks affordable by national standards in 2026, but affordability is no longer something buyers can assume without checking county-level numbers. Statewide, Zillow put Iowa’s median sale price at $220,500 in January 2026, with a median list price of $239,767 in February, while Freddie Mac’s average 30-year fixed mortgage rate stood at 6.00% on ... Read more

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]]> 5 Best Home Warranty Companies in Iowa in 2026 https://www.iowawatch.org/home-warranty-companies/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:56:20 +0000 https://www.iowawatch.org/?p=3004 Homeownership in Iowa often means managing systems that face demanding seasonal shifts. Long winters bring freezing temperatures that push furnaces and heating equipment into constant operation, while humid summers place heavy pressure on air conditioning units. Repeated temperature swings can accelerate wear on HVAC systems, plumbing, and water heaters, increasing the risk of unexpected breakdowns. ... Read more

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]]> Unsolved Iowa Cold Cases That Still Haunt the Hawkeye State https://www.iowawatch.org/unsolved-iowa-cold-cases/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:33:12 +0000 https://www.iowawatch.org/?p=2915 Iowa rarely makes national crime headlines. Life moves at a steadier pace here. Cornfields roll on, towns know their neighbors, and most days pass without sirens. Yet a quieter record sits inside filing cabinets, evidence rooms, and family scrapbooks across the state. Unsolved cases remain open in spirit, even when years pass without an arrest. ... Read more

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]]> Driving A Dirty Car In Iowa, Can You Get Fined https://www.iowawatch.org/driving-dirty-car-in-iowa/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 13:02:48 +0000 https://www.iowawatch.org/?p=2986 Many drivers assume a dirty car creates only an appearance issue with no legal consequences. Daily driving, winter weather, and rural roads often leave vehicles coated in dust, mud, or salt, leading many people to believe cleanliness has no connection to traffic law. In Iowa, dirt goes further than cosmetics and can interfere with visibility ... Read more

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]]> Iowa Property Taxes Guide – Why Your Bill is Changing and How to Appeal It https://www.iowawatch.org/iowa-property-tax-guide/ Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:59:53 +0000 https://www.iowawatch.org/?p=2946 Why an Iowa property tax bill may change? How can property owners contest an assessed value that seems inaccurate or unfair? Property taxes in Iowa apply primarily to real property such as land, buildings, and permanent improvements attached to land. Changes in assessed value or local tax decisions can significantly affect annual tax obligations. A ... Read more

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]]> Renter Rights in Iowa – What Your Landlord Legally Can and Can’t Do https://www.iowawatch.org/renters-rights-in-iowa/ Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:35:03 +0000 https://www.iowawatch.org/?p=2943 Iowa rental relationships operate under the Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Chapter 562A. State law creates a structured system defining duties, limits, and protections for both property owners and renters. Clear rules exist to prevent abuse, maintain safe housing, and regulate how disputes must be handled. What we will do today is explain ... Read more

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]]> Iowa’s Most Dangerous Intersections – Where to Drive with Extra Caution https://www.iowawatch.org/iowa-most-dangerous-intersections/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:11:20 +0000 https://www.iowawatch.org/?p=2938 Iowa continues to face serious traffic safety challenges at busy intersections across the state. High traffic volume, outdated designs, and risky driver behavior contribute to a higher crash risk in specific locations. Driver awareness plays a major role in reducing injuries, fatalities, and costly property damage. Intersection rankings referenced here rely on Iowa DOT crash ... Read more

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