Kate Wells
Kate Wells is an award-winning reporter who covers politics, education, public policy and just about everything in between for Iowa Public Radio, and is based in Cedar Rapids. Her work has aired on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. She's also contributed coverage to WNYC in New York, Harvest Public Media, Austin Public Radio (KUT) and the Texas Tribune. Winner of the 2012 regional RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award and NBNA Eric Sevareid Award for investigative reporting, Kate came to Iowa Public Radio in 2010 from New England. Previously, she was a news intern for New Hampshire Public Radio.
Kate graduated with honors from Principia College in 2010, where she studied comparative religion and political science.
Kate's favorite public radio program is Radiolab.
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Pediatric cases of RSV and flu have sent families crowding into ERs, as health systems struggle with staff shortages. In Michigan, only 9 out of more than 130 hospitals have a pediatric ICU. -
At a children's hospital in Michigan, the staff is struggling to treat the surge of RSV and flu cases in children. Some parents say they have been turned away from emergency rooms for days.
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Michigan faces a key vote on abortion rights as patients travel there from other states. At a clinic near Detroit, many women share what abortion access means for their own lives and futures.
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On TikTok, the hashtag "dementia" has 3 billion views. Caregivers of people with Alzheimer's and other dementias have been using the site to swap tips and share the burdens of life with dementia.
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In a span of 3 days this week, court rulings seesawed between outlawing abortions and permitting them. A judge allowed them to continue Wednesday for at least 21 days.
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The latest court ruling comes as providers say they're seeing huge demand for the procedure from both local and out-of-state patients.
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About 100 victims of former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar are suing the FBI. They say the agency mishandled complaints about Nassar in 2015, allowing him to continue his abuse until his arrest.
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Michigan has more COVID-19 hospitalizations than ever. This surge is coming at the same time hospitals are also getting hit with waves of non-COVID patients, who delayed care during the pandemic.
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During the pandemic, 15 children's hospitals reported that admissions for eating disorders doubled, on average. A Michigan teen shares her story about getting diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
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In Georgia, Michigan and Ohio, it's now been a few days of kids between the ages of 12 and 15 getting vaccinated. Each state has also had a different reaction to new CDC guidance on masks.
