News
Antibiotic-Resistant Genes Found in Homes Near Factory Farms
New research found that 25% of bedroom dust samples in rural Iowa contained at least one antimicrobial-resistant gene, raising the risk of hard-to-treat infections.
Health•4 min read
Health
Feature
What the History of Blue Baby Syndrome Tells Us About Today’s Fight for Clean Water
Research from over 75 years ago set today’s federal standard for nitrates in drinking water.
Factory Farms•14 min read
Feature
Iowa Senator Catelin Drey Knows her State’s Cancer Crisis. She’s Living it.
Drey’s diagnosis comes amid national attention on Iowa’s cancer crisis, which experts believe could be tied to a “toxic mix” of environmental and health risk factors.
Health•8 min read
News
Iowa’s High Cancer Rate Linked to Nitrate, Pesticides, PFAS and Radon, New Report Finds
The new analysis combines science on environmental risk factors with the lived experiences of Iowans battling cancer.
Health•5 min read
News
Bird Flu Detected in Iowa Backyard Chicken Flocks as Migration Raises Risk
Backyard chickens are also vulnerable to avian flu, and experts warn that spring migration can accelerate infections across these bird populations.
Health•5 min read
News
Key Iowa Swing Districts in U.S. House Could Hinge on Water Quality and Cancer Concerns
In a new poll, 82% of Iowa voters want their elected official to protect clean water and cut pollution from industrial agriculture.
Elections•5 min read
News
Iowa Beach Advisories for E. Coli and Other Pathogens Hit All-Time High
The summer of 2025 was the most un-swimmable Iowa summer yet, thanks in part to pollution from farms.
Climate•4 min read
News
In Iowa, Researchers Press for More Scrutiny of the Link Between Big Ag and Cancer Risk
The partnership aims to fill a research gap with statewide listening sessions and a review of the scientific literature.
Health•4 min read
Feature
What’s Driving Iowa’s Outlier Cancer Rate? It’s Complicated
The state cancer registry makes no mention of the millions of gallons of factory farm manure pumped into Iowa waterways.
Health•10 min read
Reported
Illegal Manure Pollution in Water — and Cancer — on the Rise in Iowa
A new report maps manure spills in Iowa, where factory farms produce 109 billion pounds of manure per year.
Climate•3 min read
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Sentient investigates and explains factory farms and their effect on climate, the environment, animals, health, politics and rural communities.