/* ============================================================
   THE MIDWEST HEALTH DISPATCH
   Design direction: wire-service / dispatch.
   Utilitarian condensed masthead, dense elegant news grid,
   restrained serious palette, dateline-forward typography.
   ============================================================ */

:root{
  --paper:#f3efe4;        /* warm newsprint */
  --paper-2:#ece7d8;      /* card / inset */
  --ink:#17150f;          /* near-black warm */
  --ink-soft:#423d31;     /* secondary text */
  --ink-faint:#736c5c;    /* meta text */
  --rule:#c9c1ad;         /* hairline */
  --rule-strong:#17150f;  /* heavy rule */
  --signal:#a4122b;       /* wire alert red */
  --signal-ink:#7c0d20;
  --slate:#243a4c;        /* section / dateline blue */
  --paper-white:#faf8f2;

  --f-plate:"Saira Condensed", "Arial Narrow", sans-serif;
  --f-head:"Libre Franklin", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
  --f-body:"Source Serif 4", Georgia, serif;
  --f-mono:"JetBrains Mono", "SFMono-Regular", Menlo, monospace;

  --wrap:1200px;
  --gap:clamp(20px,2.4vw,34px);
}

*{box-sizing:border-box}
html{-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%}
body{
  margin:0;
  background:var(--paper);
  color:var(--ink);
  font-family:var(--f-body);
  font-size:18px;
  line-height:1.62;
  /* subtle newsprint tooth */
  background-image:radial-gradient(rgba(23,21,15,.018) 1px, transparent 1px);
  background-size:3px 3px;
}
img{max-width:100%;display:block}
a{color:inherit}

::selection{background:var(--signal);color:var(--paper-white)}

.wrap{max-width:var(--wrap);margin:0 auto;padding:0 clamp(16px,3vw,32px)}

/* ---------- LEDGER STRIP (wire header) ---------- */
.ledger{
  background:var(--ink);
  color:var(--paper);
  font-family:var(--f-mono);
  font-size:11px;
  letter-spacing:.14em;
  text-transform:uppercase;
}
.ledger .wrap{
  display:flex;gap:18px;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;
  padding-top:8px;padding-bottom:8px;flex-wrap:wrap;
}
.ledger b{color:var(--paper-white);font-weight:600}
.ledger .sig{color:#e8a3ae}
.ledger .pulse{display:inline-block;width:7px;height:7px;border-radius:50%;
  background:var(--signal);margin-right:7px;vertical-align:middle;
  box-shadow:0 0 0 0 rgba(164,18,43,.7);animation:pulse 2.6s infinite}
@keyframes pulse{0%{box-shadow:0 0 0 0 rgba(164,18,43,.55)}70%{box-shadow:0 0 0 7px rgba(164,18,43,0)}100%{box-shadow:0 0 0 0 rgba(164,18,43,0)}}

/* ---------- MASTHEAD ---------- */
.masthead{border-bottom:3px solid var(--rule-strong);background:var(--paper)}
.masthead .wrap{
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr auto 1fr;align-items:center;
  gap:16px;padding-top:22px;padding-bottom:16px;
}
.mast-left,.mast-right{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;line-height:1.5;
  letter-spacing:.06em;color:var(--ink-faint);text-transform:uppercase}
.mast-right{text-align:right}
.mast-left .lg,.mast-right .lg{display:block;color:var(--ink);font-weight:600;margin:2px 0}
.nameplate{
  text-align:center;text-decoration:none;color:var(--ink);
  font-family:var(--f-plate);font-weight:700;line-height:.86;
  letter-spacing:.005em;text-transform:uppercase;
  display:block;
}
.nameplate .the{
  display:block;font-size:clamp(11px,1.4vw,14px);letter-spacing:.5em;
  font-weight:600;margin-bottom:6px;padding-left:.5em;color:var(--signal)}
.nameplate .mw{display:block;font-size:clamp(34px,6.6vw,72px)}
.nameplate .hd{display:block;font-size:clamp(34px,6.6vw,72px)}
.nameplate:hover .the{color:var(--slate)}

/* ---------- SECTION DESK NAV ---------- */
.desk{border-bottom:2px solid var(--rule-strong);background:var(--paper);
  position:sticky;top:0;z-index:40}
.desk .wrap{display:flex;align-items:stretch;gap:0;flex-wrap:wrap;
  justify-content:center;padding:0}
.desk a{
  font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:600;font-size:12.5px;
  letter-spacing:.11em;text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:none;
  color:var(--ink);padding:12px clamp(10px,1.5vw,20px);
  border-left:1px solid var(--rule);position:relative;
  transition:color .18s,background .18s}
.desk a:first-child{border-left:none}
.desk a::after{content:"";position:absolute;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;height:3px;
  background:var(--signal);transform:scaleX(0);transform-origin:left;
  transition:transform .2s ease}
.desk a:hover{color:var(--signal);background:var(--paper-2)}
.desk a:hover::after,.desk a[aria-current="page"]::after{transform:scaleX(1)}
.desk a[aria-current="page"]{color:var(--signal)}

/* ---------- SHARED KICKER / LABELS ---------- */
.kicker{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;
  letter-spacing:.13em;font-size:11px;color:var(--signal);margin:0 0 8px}
.kicker.slate{color:var(--slate)}
.section-flag{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;margin:0 0 16px}
.section-flag h2{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:800;text-transform:uppercase;
  letter-spacing:.06em;font-size:15px;margin:0;white-space:nowrap;color:var(--ink)}
.section-flag .line{height:2px;background:var(--rule-strong);flex:1}
.section-flag .tag{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;color:var(--ink-faint);
  letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase}

.dateline{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.05em;
  text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--slate);font-weight:500}
.dateline b{color:var(--signal);font-weight:600}

/* ---------- HOMEPAGE GRID ---------- */
main{padding-top:clamp(26px,3.2vw,42px);padding-bottom:60px}

.lede-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:0;
  border-top:3px solid var(--rule-strong);margin-bottom:32px}
@media(min-width:900px){
  .lede-grid{grid-template-columns:2.05fr 1fr;gap:0}
}

.lede{padding:26px 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--rule)}
@media(min-width:900px){.lede{padding:30px 32px 30px 0;border-right:1px solid var(--rule);border-bottom:none}}
.lede a{text-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:block}
.lede .art{aspect-ratio:16/8.4;border:1px solid var(--rule);margin-bottom:20px;
  position:relative;overflow:hidden}
.lede h1,.lede .h{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:800;line-height:1.02;
  letter-spacing:-.015em;font-size:clamp(32px,4.6vw,54px);margin:6px 0 14px;
  color:var(--ink)}
.lede a:hover .h{color:var(--signal)}
.lede .dek{font-size:20px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--ink-soft);margin:0 0 16px;
  max-width:40ch}
.lede .meta{border-top:1px solid var(--rule);padding-top:12px;
  display:flex;gap:14px;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}

/* secondary rail */
.rail{display:flex;flex-direction:column}
@media(min-width:900px){.rail{padding-left:32px;padding-top:30px}}
.rail-item{padding:16px 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--rule)}
.rail-item:first-child{padding-top:0}
.rail-item a{text-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:block}
.rail-item .h{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:700;font-size:20px;
  line-height:1.12;letter-spacing:-.01em;margin:6px 0 8px;color:var(--ink)}
.rail-item a:hover .h{color:var(--signal)}
.rail-item .dek{font-size:15px;color:var(--ink-soft);margin:0 0 8px;line-height:1.45}

/* dense card row */
.grid-flag{margin:34px 0 18px}
.cards{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:0;
  border-top:2px solid var(--rule-strong)}
@media(min-width:640px){.cards{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}}
@media(min-width:960px){.cards{grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr)}}
.card{padding:22px 24px 24px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--rule);
  border-right:1px solid var(--rule);position:relative;transition:background .18s}
.card:hover{background:var(--paper-2)}
.card a{text-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:block}
.card .h{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:700;font-size:22px;line-height:1.1;
  letter-spacing:-.01em;margin:8px 0 10px;color:var(--ink)}
.card a:hover .h{color:var(--signal)}
.card .dek{font-size:15.5px;color:var(--ink-soft);margin:0 0 14px;line-height:1.46}
.card .meta{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;color:var(--ink-faint);
  letter-spacing:.04em;text-transform:uppercase}
@media(min-width:640px){.card:nth-child(2n){border-right:none}}
@media(min-width:960px){
  .card:nth-child(2n){border-right:1px solid var(--rule)}
  .card:nth-child(3n){border-right:none}
}

/* number index chip for card kicker */
.card .idx{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;color:var(--signal);
  letter-spacing:.06em}

/* ---------- "START HERE" MOST READ ---------- */
.split{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:var(--gap);margin-top:44px}
@media(min-width:900px){.split{grid-template-columns:1.7fr 1fr}}
.mostread{background:var(--ink);color:var(--paper);padding:26px 26px 28px}
.mostread h2{font-family:var(--f-plate);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;
  letter-spacing:.05em;font-size:26px;margin:0 0 4px;color:var(--paper-white)}
.mostread .sub{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;color:#c9b7a0;
  letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 18px}
.mostread ol{list-style:none;counter-reset:mr;margin:0;padding:0}
.mostread li{counter-increment:mr;display:flex;gap:16px;padding:14px 0;
  border-top:1px solid rgba(233,225,205,.16)}
.mostread li:first-child{border-top:none}
.mostread li::before{content:counter(mr,decimal-leading-zero);
  font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:13px;color:var(--signal);
  font-weight:600;padding-top:3px;min-width:26px}
.mostread a{color:var(--paper-white);text-decoration:none;font-family:var(--f-head);
  font-weight:600;font-size:17px;line-height:1.2;letter-spacing:-.005em}
.mostread a:hover{color:#f0b9c2}
.mostread a .k{display:block;font-family:var(--f-mono);font-weight:400;font-size:10.5px;
  letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#c9b7a0;margin-top:5px}

.starthere h2{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:800;font-size:18px;
  text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em;margin:0 0 4px}
.starthere .sub{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;color:var(--ink-faint);
  letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 16px}
.starthere ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}
.starthere li{border-top:1px solid var(--rule);padding:12px 0}
.starthere li:first-child{border-top:2px solid var(--rule-strong)}
.starthere a{display:flex;gap:12px;align-items:baseline;text-decoration:none;
  color:var(--ink);font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:600;font-size:16px}
.starthere a:hover{color:var(--signal)}
.starthere a .ar{color:var(--signal);font-family:var(--f-mono);transition:transform .18s}
.starthere a:hover .ar{transform:translateX(4px)}

/* ---------- ARTICLE ---------- */
.article{max-width:760px;margin:0 auto;padding-top:8px}
.article .kicker{margin-bottom:12px}
.article h1{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:800;line-height:1.03;
  letter-spacing:-.02em;font-size:clamp(32px,5vw,52px);margin:0 0 18px;color:var(--ink)}
.article .standfirst{font-family:var(--f-body);font-size:clamp(20px,2.4vw,24px);
  line-height:1.42;color:var(--ink-soft);margin:0 0 24px;font-weight:400;
  font-style:italic}
.byline-bar{border-top:2px solid var(--rule-strong);border-bottom:1px solid var(--rule);
  padding:12px 0;display:flex;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;
  justify-content:space-between;margin-bottom:8px}
.byline-bar .by{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:700;font-size:12.5px;
  letter-spacing:.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--ink)}
.byline-bar .stamp{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;color:var(--ink-faint);
  letter-spacing:.05em;text-transform:uppercase}

.article-art{aspect-ratio:16/8;border:1px solid var(--rule);margin:24px 0 8px;
  position:relative;overflow:hidden}
.art-cap{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;color:var(--ink-faint);
  letter-spacing:.03em;padding:8px 0 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--rule);
  padding-bottom:16px;margin-bottom:24px;text-transform:uppercase}

.body{font-size:18.5px;line-height:1.7}
.body p{margin:0 0 20px}
.body .drop::first-letter{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:800;float:left;
  font-size:64px;line-height:.82;padding:6px 12px 0 0;color:var(--signal)}
.body h2{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:800;font-size:24px;line-height:1.15;
  letter-spacing:-.01em;margin:38px 0 14px;color:var(--ink);
  padding-top:8px;border-top:1px solid var(--rule)}
.body h3{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:700;font-size:19px;margin:26px 0 10px;
  color:var(--ink)}
.body ul,.body ol{margin:0 0 22px;padding-left:22px}
.body li{margin:0 0 9px}
.body a{color:var(--signal-ink);text-decoration:underline;text-underline-offset:2px}

.pullquote{margin:34px 0;padding:6px 0 6px 26px;border-left:4px solid var(--signal);
  font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:700;font-size:clamp(23px,3vw,30px);
  line-height:1.22;letter-spacing:-.015em;color:var(--ink)}
.pullquote .attr{display:block;font-family:var(--f-mono);font-weight:400;
  font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--ink-faint);
  margin-top:14px}

.editor-note{background:var(--paper-2);border:1px solid var(--rule);
  padding:18px 22px;margin:30px 0;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.55;
  color:var(--ink-soft)}
.editor-note b{font-family:var(--f-head);text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em;
  font-size:12px;color:var(--ink);display:block;margin-bottom:6px}

/* related coverage rail */
.related{margin:48px 0 0;border-top:3px solid var(--rule-strong);padding-top:8px}
.related .cards{border-top:none}

/* ---------- BRC SPONSORED BLOCK ---------- */
.sponsor{max-width:var(--wrap);margin:52px auto 0;
  border:1px solid var(--rule);background:var(--paper-white)}
.sponsor .tab{background:var(--slate);color:#dfe8ee;font-family:var(--f-mono);
  font-size:10.5px;letter-spacing:.18em;text-transform:uppercase;
  padding:7px 20px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap}
.sponsor .tab b{color:#fff;font-weight:600}
.sponsor .inner{padding:26px clamp(20px,3vw,34px) 28px;
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:22px;align-items:center}
@media(min-width:760px){.sponsor .inner{grid-template-columns:1.6fr 1fr}}
.sponsor .brc-name{font-family:var(--f-plate);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;
  letter-spacing:.02em;font-size:30px;line-height:.95;margin:0 0 4px;color:var(--ink)}
.sponsor .brc-loc{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;color:var(--ink-faint);
  letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 14px}
.sponsor p{margin:0 0 14px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.55;color:var(--ink-soft)}
.sponsor .feats{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;margin:0 0 4px}
.sponsor .feats span{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.03em;
  text-transform:uppercase;border:1px solid var(--rule);padding:4px 9px;color:var(--ink-soft)}
.sponsor .cta-wrap{text-align:left}
@media(min-width:760px){.sponsor .cta-wrap{text-align:center;border-left:1px solid var(--rule);padding-left:28px}}
.sponsor .cta{display:inline-block;background:var(--signal);color:#fff;
  font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:700;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:.04em;
  text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:none;padding:14px 26px;
  transition:background .18s,transform .18s}
.sponsor .cta:hover{background:var(--signal-ink);transform:translateY(-1px)}
.sponsor .disc{font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;color:var(--ink-faint);
  line-height:1.5;margin:12px 0 0}

/* ---------- CRISIS NOTE ---------- */
.crisis{max-width:var(--wrap);margin:26px auto 0;
  border-left:4px solid var(--signal);background:var(--paper-2);
  padding:16px 22px;font-size:15px;line-height:1.55;color:var(--ink-soft)}
.crisis b{font-family:var(--f-head);color:var(--ink)}

/* ---------- FOOTER ---------- */
footer{background:var(--ink);color:var(--paper);margin-top:56px;
  border-top:4px solid var(--signal)}
footer .wrap{padding:40px clamp(16px,3vw,32px) 30px;
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:26px}
@media(min-width:760px){footer .wrap{grid-template-columns:1.4fr 1fr 1fr}}
footer .f-plate{font-family:var(--f-plate);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;
  font-size:26px;line-height:.9;color:var(--paper-white);margin:0 0 10px}
footer .f-plate .s{color:var(--signal)}
footer p{font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#c7bda9;margin:0 0 10px;max-width:40ch}
footer h4{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;
  letter-spacing:.1em;font-size:11px;color:#a79c86;margin:0 0 12px}
footer nav a{display:block;color:var(--paper);text-decoration:none;font-size:14px;
  padding:5px 0;font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:500;
  border-bottom:1px solid rgba(233,225,205,.1)}
footer nav a:hover{color:#f0b9c2}
footer .legal{grid-column:1/-1;border-top:1px solid rgba(233,225,205,.16);
  padding-top:20px;font-family:var(--f-mono);font-size:11px;line-height:1.7;
  color:#8f856f;letter-spacing:.02em}
footer .legal b{color:#c7bda9;font-weight:500}

/* ---------- ABOUT PAGE ---------- */
.page-head{border-top:3px solid var(--rule-strong);
  border-bottom:1px solid var(--rule);padding:30px 0 26px;margin-bottom:8px}
.page-head h1{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-.02em;
  font-size:clamp(34px,5vw,54px);line-height:1.02;margin:8px 0 12px}
.page-head .dek{font-size:20px;color:var(--ink-soft);max-width:56ch;margin:0}
.prose{max-width:760px}
.prose h2{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:800;font-size:24px;margin:36px 0 12px;
  padding-top:10px;border-top:1px solid var(--rule)}
.prose p{margin:0 0 18px;font-size:18px;line-height:1.66}
.prose ul{padding-left:22px;margin:0 0 20px}
.prose li{margin:0 0 10px}
.standards{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:0;border-top:2px solid var(--rule-strong);
  margin:20px 0}
@media(min-width:680px){.standards{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}}
.standards .s{padding:20px 22px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--rule);border-right:1px solid var(--rule)}
@media(min-width:680px){.standards .s:nth-child(2n){border-right:none}}
.standards h3{font-family:var(--f-head);font-weight:700;font-size:16px;
  text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.04em;margin:0 0 8px;color:var(--ink)}
.standards .s .n{font-family:var(--f-mono);color:var(--signal);font-size:12px}
.standards p{font-size:15px;color:var(--ink-soft);margin:0;line-height:1.5}

/* ---------- ART FILL (self-contained, no external images) ---------- */
.fill{position:absolute;inset:0}
.fill.a{background:
  linear-gradient(135deg, #243a4c 0%, #35566b 60%, #4a7186 100%);}
.fill.a::after{content:"";position:absolute;inset:0;
  background-image:repeating-linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(255,255,255,.05) 0 2px,transparent 2px 22px);}
.fill.b{background:linear-gradient(140deg,#7c0d20 0%,#a4122b 55%,#c24a41 100%)}
.fill.b::after{content:"";position:absolute;inset:0;
  background-image:repeating-linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(0,0,0,.08) 0 1px,transparent 1px 14px)}
.fill.c{background:linear-gradient(150deg,#17150f 0%,#2f2a1e 60%,#4a4231 100%)}
.fill.c::after{content:"";position:absolute;inset:0;
  background-image:radial-gradient(circle at 30% 40%,rgba(164,18,43,.5),transparent 45%),radial-gradient(circle at 75% 70%,rgba(74,113,134,.5),transparent 45%)}
.fill .tag{position:absolute;left:14px;bottom:12px;font-family:var(--f-mono);
  font-size:10.5px;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;color:rgba(255,255,255,.82);
  border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.4);padding:4px 9px;backdrop-filter:blur(2px)}
.fill .big{position:absolute;right:18px;top:16px;font-family:var(--f-plate);
  font-weight:700;font-size:clamp(40px,8vw,96px);line-height:.8;color:rgba(255,255,255,.16);
  text-transform:uppercase;text-align:right;letter-spacing:-.01em}

/* ---------- MOTION / A11Y ---------- */
a:focus-visible,.cta:focus-visible{outline:3px solid var(--slate);outline-offset:3px}
.desk a:focus-visible{outline-offset:-3px}
@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){
  *{animation:none!important;transition:none!important}
}