A new local report analyzing Polk, Dallas and Warren counties shows that 36% of 3,000 surveyed residents could not afford to cover a $400 emergency expense without going into debt. 

Why it matters: That's a 10% increase since this survey was last released in 2021, another sign of the growing financial struggles in our region. 

Driving the news: A committee of central Iowa health organizations released the report Tuesday showing the biggest health needs in the tri-county area.

• Nearly 3,000 people were surveyed this year through random sampling and online community outreach. Respondents answered through phone interviews and online responses.

By the numbers: Financial instability, which the report classifies as not being able to afford the $400 emergency expense, is worse in Polk County at 40%, followed by Warren (26%) and Dallas (17%) counties.

• In comparison, 34% of people nationwide are financially unstable.
• This affects multiple income brackets, as 23% of mid- to high-level-income Iowa households surveyed also said they would go into debt.

Zoom in: The group has hypothesized several reasons for the 10% jump since 2021, including the rollback of some pandemic-era benefits, child tax credits and rising housing and food prices.

What's next: The group has created a regional plan to address the health issues outlined in the report, including increasing the enrollment of eligible Iowans into public benefit programs and investing in more pilot strategies to reduce poverty.

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Caitlin Clark was named Time magazine's 2024 Athlete of the Year for her "unprecedented" influence in helping elevate WNBA viewership and interest in only her first season.

Why it matters: "It's one thing to rally around athletes during global spectacles like an Olympics or a World Cup," writes Sean Gregory, Time senior sports correspondent. "It's quite another to turn routine regular-season games in the WNBA, a league neglected for far too long over its 27-year history, into appointment viewing."

State of play: In a rare, in-depth interview, Clark defined the last year as "historic." A record-breaking number of people watched her on TV (1.3 million per game).

By the numbers: Clark set a WNBA single-season record in 2024 with 337 assists and recorded the first two triple-doubles by a rookie in WNBA history.

• Plus, the star power behind her and other players like Chicago's Angel Reese drove more money to the sport — with the Fever now valued at $90 million.

What's next: Clark seems set on not playing off-season basketball, so the next time she will likely see the court is May 17, 2025, vs. Chicago.

• The Fever also have a new coach, Stephanie White, to help usher in a new era of Indiana basketball next season.

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🏀 The Cyclone and Hawkeye women tip off today at 8pm, while the men play tomorrow at 6:30pm at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. (KCCI)

💩 A new report shows that nearly 200 manure spills occurred in Iowa waterways over the last decade. They were concentrated in northwest Iowa, which houses a higher number of factory farms. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

🎶 Bill Murray is playing a concert at Val Air Ballroom in April. Presale tickets go on sale today at 10am. (KCCI)

🧸 Waukee students are modifying toys for kids with limited mobility. (WHO-13)

Gas prices haven't been this low since 2021.

Why it matters: Displayed prominently on big signs everywhere you drive, prices at the pump are a key economic indicator for the general public.

• The recent lows are a big sign that inflation is increasingly in our rear-view mirror.
• And, of course, the lower prices are happy news for drivers — especially ahead of the holiday driving season.

By the numbers: The average gallon of gas cost $2.44 on Monday in Des Moines, and has been under $3 since Saturday, according to GasBuddy data.

Between the lines: The good news comes too late for the Biden administration, which suffered politically when inflation and the war in Ukraine drove prices above $5 a gallon nationally in 2022.

• Instead, low gas prices are more likely to benefit President-elect Donald Trump, who campaigned on bringing them down.