Lauren Cross

1 week ago | investigatemidwest.org | Lauren Cross |Investigate Midwest

If you live in a small town, you probably have fewer grocery stores than you did 30 years ago — and fewer choices inside them. Independent grocers have disappeared, replaced by big national chains that now decide what’s on the shelves, how much it costs, and who gets to profit. In 1990, the top four grocery chains controlled just 13% of nationwide sales. By 2019, the top four retailers — Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Ahold Delhaize — controlled 34% of U.S. grocery sales, according to the USDA.

2 weeks ago | domain.com.au | Lauren Cross

By Lauren CrossJune 11, 2025When it comes to selling an investment property in Australia, capital gains tax (CGT) can quickly eat into that attractive figure on the contract and make your cash payout much smaller than you originally thought. However, with the right strategies, you may be able to avoid or substantially reduce the amount you owe. What is capital gains tax? Capital gains tax (CGT) is a tax on the profit made from selling an asset.

1 month ago | investigatemidwest.org | Lauren Cross |Investigate Midwest

Scientists and policymakers are exploring fiber hemp’s potential to absorb toxic chemicals like PFAS or capture carbon in soil, but those potential benefits have yet to translate into a reliable, profitable market for growers. Fiber hemp production in the U.S. surged to a record high in 2024, but farmers are earning far less from the crop than they were just a few years ago, according to new USDA data released April 17.

2 months ago | investigatemidwest.org | Lauren Cross |Investigate Midwest

In February, we launched our first audience survey and kept it open for five weeks – and your feedback is already shaping what comes next. While the sample size (124) is not enough to be fully representative of our readership base, these responses reflect some of our most engaged readers – many with deep roots in agriculture, rural communities and food systems. Here’s a breakdown of who you are and where you live.

2 months ago | investigatemidwest.org | Lauren Cross |Investigate Midwest

We recently brought back our Live Storytelling series in Iowa City — and the photos are in. Co-produced with the University of Iowa Events Management Certification program, the night featured five powerful voices sharing stories centered on the theme “Beyond Stereotypes: The Modern Man.”Scroll through the gallery below to relive the April 9 event held at The Graduate Hotel, from the heartfelt performances to the energy in the room.