F. Amanda Tugade

3 weeks ago | usatoday.com | Christopher Cann |F. Amanda Tugade

WHEATON, MD – For over 30 years, Lenny Ung has prided himself on providing the ingredients needed to cook Southeast Asian cuisine to the residents of this leafy suburb north of Washington. Walking down the colorful aisles of Hung Phat Grocery, Ung pointed out some of his customer’s favorites: shiitake mushrooms from China, Japan’s Kewpie mayonnaise and fish sauce from Vietnam.

1 month ago | desmoinesregister.com | F. Amanda Tugade

Ethnic grocery store owners in Des Moines are concerned about the impact of rising food costs and anti-immigration policies on their businesses. Increased prices on imported goods, like rice and corn flour, are forcing owners to consider raising prices or risk losing customers to larger stores. Uncertainty surrounding potential tariffs and the political climate adds to the challenges faced by immigrant communities and business owners.

1 month ago | desmoinesregister.com | F. Amanda Tugade

Sue Gehling just wanted to help. A longtime psychiatric nurse practitioner, Gehling worked especially with children in rural Iowa struggling with their mental health and to find the right care. Gehling, who grew up just outside of Manning, said she understood families' lack of access to proper mental health care, how expensive resources can be and how mental health issues can impact youth at school. "I'm a provider taking care of these families, and I'm from this rural community," she said.

1 month ago | desmoinesregister.com | F. Amanda Tugade

Des Moines Refugee Support is working to fill the gaps left by agencies facing budget cuts due to President Trump's crackdown on immigration and refugees. The organization, founded to help enroll refugee youth in school, is now helping families with basic needs like housing and employment. Founder Alison Hoeman says her organization is struggling to keep up with the demand for assistance and is looking for volunteers and donations.

1 month ago | desmoinesregister.com | F. Amanda Tugade

Local activists argue that an increase in the police budget is unnecessary and that the money should be allocated to other programs facing deep cuts because of a $17 million shortfallPolice say the proposed increase is necessary to cover rising costs. Des Moines City Council will vote March 24 to approve the notice of a public hearing on the budget.