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. -
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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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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Patients who couldn't see a doctor earlier in the pandemic or were too afraid to go to a hospital have finally become too sick to stay away. Many ERs now struggle to cope with an onslaught of need.
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Health care workers treating COVID-19 patients sometimes get sick themselves. Those who recover often go right back to work.
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A former Michigan State University medical school dean who supervised notorious sports doctor Larry Nassar is facing criminal charges over allegations that he failed to protect women and girls from Nassar, groped female students and had porn on his office computer.
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What the parents of Larry Nassar's victims want other parents to understand is the question "how could I have let this happen?" Many of their daughters were abused by the Olympic gymnastics doctor while they themselves were sitting there in the room. While they struggle with blaming themselves, they also want other parents to learn about how predators can gain your trust.
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A judge sentenced Larry Nassar to 175 years in prison after more than 150 victims spoke at his proceedings. And, the president of Michigan State University, where Nassar also worked, resigned.
