🎓 Happy Monday! We're heading back to college in today's edition.

🌧️ Weather: Chance of thunderstorms, with a high of 93 and a low of 75.

🎂 Happy birthday to our members Amanda Lubben, Sara Rosenberg and Dave Kurns!

Today's newsletter is 910 words — a 3.5-minute read.

New federal rules capping student visa stays are increasing anxiety for Iowa's international students and could affect how many are enrolled at the state's public universities, per the Midwest Newsroom.

Why it matters: There's already a decline in international students at universities, and a further squeeze could hurt college towns and university budgets that depend on their full tuition and local spending.

Driving the news: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) eliminated open-ended "duration of status" for two popular student visas, effective Sept. 15.

• Foreign students now face a hard four-year cap to finish their studies, plus tighter rules on changing majors and shorter windows to apply for post-graduation work authorization.

By the numbers: International students contributed nearly $620 million combined to the Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas economies in the 2024-2025 academic year, per an Open Doors report cited by the Midwest Newsroom.

Zoom in: Daniyal Shahbaz, a 20-year-old Iowa State University junior studying mechanical engineering and political science, told the Midwest Newsroom that uncertainty follows him even on ordinary trips home to Pakistan, despite his valid visa.

• "It makes me second-guess any decision I want to make, anything I want to do," Shahbaz said.

What they're saying: Immigration attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford told the Midwest Newsroom that the crackdown on lawful visa holders threatens college towns' economies, including local restaurants, gas stations and bars.

The other side: DHS says the changes are meant to combat "rampant visa abuse" and tighten oversight of who is admitted and how long they can stay.

What's next: A group of labor unions and higher-ed groups has sued to block the rule.

• Meanwhile, Shahbaz flew back to Ames from Pakistan earlier this month.

Some young workers are swapping laptops for hardhats, betting that a welding torch or a toolbelt could offer more protection from AI disruption.

Why it matters: As artificial intelligence rattles white-collar career paths, more young Americans are looking to the skilled trades for lower debt, stable pay and work that's harder to automate.

The big picture: Skilled trades are shedding some of the stigma that long led parents and guidance counselors to push students toward four-year degrees. The price tag and questionable payoff of college are also adding to their appeal.

• "We have the high-demand jobs that AI can't take because AI can't run pipe or install HVAC systems," says John Zink, vice president at the PHCC Educational Foundation.

Zoom out: High schools are expanding programs that give students a direct path into skilled work, Jason Altmire, CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, says.

Case in point: The Ankeny Community School District is building a new "innovation hub" to help provide more hands-on learning, including automotive, engineering, culinary arts and animal science. It's planned to open in fall 2028.

• West Des Moines Community Schools opened a new 29,000-square-foot career and technical education building last year to build real-world experience in areas like manufacturing, architecture and construction.
• The Waukee Community School District has a similar building where students and businesses can partner together.

Reality check: Trades aren't immune from technological disruption. More sophisticated robotics can already handle some construction tasks, including layouts and precision measurements.

• AI is also helping businesses answer phones, dispatch technicians and handle administrative work. But many core trade jobs still require a human touch.

Go deeper: Trades make a comeback with Gen Z workers

The boost that college graduates get in pay over those who don't go to college is huge — but it's been declining a bit in recent years.

• Last year, the average college graduate earned 55.2% more than the typical high school grad, per Labor Department data analyzed by the progressive Economic Policy Institute.
• That's down from a peak of more than 60% a decade ago.

We're grateful to the readers who make Axios Local part of their day and continue to follow the stories unfolding around them.

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🎰 Polk County will consider a new Prairie Meadows lease at a special meeting this morning, projected to generate more than $500 million in potential rent revenue over 25 years. (Agenda)

😎 A very strong El Niño could bring Iowa warmer-than-normal fall temperatures and a milder, drier winter. (Iowa Public Radio)

📺 Des Moines drag king Trade is set to compete on the TV show "King of Drag." (DSM Register)

There are a lot of uncertainties facing today's college students, but then again, what generation of young people hasn't faced some sort of impending threat of technological doom or global obliteration?

📣 Hit reply: What wisdom do you have for current college students? We'll share some in our newsletter!

Linh's advice: When you're really passionate about what you're learning, it can be disheartening to realize that at this beginner point, you kinda suck at it!

• This Ira Glass quote about the gap between good taste and experience gave me needed perspective:
• "It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions."

Jason's advice: Go to class, meet weird people, say yes to stuff, and build a few stories worth retelling.

• Just make sure none of them require subpoenas.

🐶 1 thing to go: Congrats to Drake University, which was ranked the state's top college by Time Magazine.

This newsletter was edited by Chloe Gonzales.