midwest News

Manufacturing Growth to Aid Midwest Economy

A new survey of business leaders in nine Midwest and Plains states suggests that manufacturing growth will help fuel the regional economy through the end of the year, according to a report released on Oct. 1. The overall Mid-America Business …

U.S. Crop-Insurance Claims Jump Amid Planting Delays, USDA Says

U.S. farmers who were prevented from planting by rain this year filed crop-insurance claims on six times more land than last season, the government said. Farmers filed claims on 8.213 million acres of grains, oilseeds, cotton and sugar as of …

Midwest, Plains Economy Still Growing Steadily: Survey

A monthly survey of business leaders suggests the economy in nine Midwest and Plains states will continue growing steadily over the next few months. The overall economic index for the region declined slightly to 56.2 in May from April’s 56.8, …

More Rain, Snow Could Lead to More Flooding in Midwest

The Mississippi River is topping out at some problematic spots and there is growing concern that spring floods are far from over. The good news is that most businesses and homes are high and dry, though hundreds of acres of …

Drought Persists in U.S. Plains; Slight Improvement in Midwest

Snowfall in parts of the U.S. Plains last week had little impact on historic drought gripping the region, but parts of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin showed slight improvement, weather experts said. A weekly report issued Thursday by a consortium …

Midwest Economic Index Rises Slightly

A monthly economic index report suggests an economic slump will continue over the next three to six months for nine Midwest and Plains states. The Mid-America Business Conditions index rose slightly in November to a weak 48.0 from 46.5 in …

Wells Fargo Insurance Announces New Regional Leadership in Midwest

Wells Fargo Insurance, part of Wells Fargo & Co., has named new regional leaders in the Midwest. Led by regional managing director John Meder, the team serves the Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, …

2-Story Waves on Great Lakes Halt Cargo Shipping

Cargo shipping was at a standstill on Oct. 30 on the Great Lakes as superstorm Sandy churned waves up to two stories high, forcing crews to take refuge in bays and harbors and raising concerns about an economic blow if …

Drought Holds Steady in Midwest, Clouding Winter Crop Outlook

The nation’s worst drought in decades showed no signs of improvement last week in parts of the Midwest and Plains where the corn harvest is about two-thirds complete, clouding the prospects for the winter wheat crop, according to a drought …

Drought Area Expands in Northern U.S., Eases in South

The worst drought to hit the United States in a half century expanded in the upper Midwest and northern Plains states in the past week due to warmer- and drier-than-normal weather, but loosened its grip on some central and southern …