midwest

The Natural Resources Conservation Service lost nearly a quarter of its staff nationwide in 2025. Many were local experts that help farmers with soil and water conservation efforts.

Jobless claims dropped only slightly last week, and unemployment is fairly low at 4.3%. But that might feel different, depending on where you live.

What can we learn about the wider U.S. economy by looking at business conditions and job markets on a region-by-region basis?

Cleveland, Milwaukee and Philadelphia saw the biggest rises. The Midwest remains a relative haven of affordability.

Jobs, affordable homes and family and friends are attracting homebuyers, some of whom are returning to hometowns.

Since 1952, Schwan’s yellow trucks and friendly drivers have been delivering frozen food to households. The industry has become more competitive and crowded and recently, the company changed names and stopped deliveries in most states.

Contracts with Ford, GM and Stellantis all end at the end of Thursday, and the president of the United Auto Workers union has made clear that members are prepared to strike.

Aryn Henning Nichols and Benji Nichols run Inspire(d) magazine from Decorah, Iowa.

“The average days on market has gone from less than a week up to about 89 days,” says broker Amanda Pohlman of Keller Williams Living.

Families in the Upper Midwest are getting creative as they look for outdoor activities for their kids during the cold winter months.