Podcasts about iowa democrats

Iowa Democrats criticize the deal the Senate passed to reopen the government. Refugees in Iowa are being told they are not eligible for SNAP benefits anymore. And the first local agency in Iowa has signed a 287(g) agreement with ICE.

Chuck Todd sits down with Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart to talk farming, politics, and the fight to keep Iowa relevant on the national stage. From corn and soybeans to caucuses and campaigns, Hart shares what it’s really like for farmers caught in the middle of tariffs, trade wars, and shrinking rural economies — and how Washington’s decisions have reshaped Iowa’s way of life. They discuss the state’s economic struggles, rural healthcare crisis, and the outsized impact of right-wing media, as well as the challenge of rebuilding trust in the Democratic brand across small towns that once went from Obama to Trump. Hart also dives into the future of Iowa’s political identity — why she thinks a rural state must remain among the first in the presidential primary calendar, how Democrats can connect urban and rural voters around shared values, and what success will look like for Iowa Democrats heading into 2026. It’s a candid, grounded look at where agriculture meets democracy, and how one state’s renewal could hold lessons for the entire country. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Rita Hart joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 Experience of working as farmers in Iowa 02:00 How much of your corn is for human consumption? 03:45 What can farmers do with soybeans if they can’t find a buyer? 04:45 Tariffs & trade war can have dire consequences for farmers 06:15 What did government intervention look like last time & how does it work? 07:15 The trade war allowed foreign markets to take US ag customers 09:00 Targeted tariffs work for manufacturing but not for agriculture 10:45 Iowa’s place in rebuilding the Democratic party in the midwest 11:40 The national brand has stained the Iowa brand 12:45 Iowa is nearly last in the nation for economic and income growth 13:30 Iowa’s healthcare & childcare are increasingly unaffordable 14:30 Rural healthcare access is extremely limited in rural Iowa 15:30 Iowa has the most Obama to Trump voting counties in America 16:45 Iowa’s local news has diminished, voters focused on national news 18:00 FOX News & right wing media have huge influence in Iowa 20:15 The national Democratic Party is in a state of transition 22:00 Iowa Democrats have been activated and engaged 23:00 Iowa has good primary candidates, DSCC should stay out of it 24:45 Rob Sand emphasized party credentials rather than go independent 26:45 What issues should Iowa Dems lean in, and lean out on? 29:00 Can’t divide issues that affect everyone into “us vs. them” 31:30 How should Democrats talk about immigration 33:30 Need a sensible way for hard-working immigrants to get citizenship 35:30 Why has the DNC moved away from Iowa as first in the nation status 36:45 Iowa is a great testing ground for Democratic campaigns 38:45 Balancing targeting the urban centers vs the rural vote in campaigns 39:30 Why rural Iowa matters to a future presidential candidate 41:00 A rural state needs to be in the first four primary states 42:30 Will Iowa GOP work with Iowa Dems to keep first in nation status? 43:45 Iowa Democrats should get to choose between a caucus or a primary 46:30 Improving the caucus process to increase participation 47:45 What does success look like for Iowa Democrats in 2026? 49:45 There’s a reason both Kim Reynolds and Joni Ernst dropped out 50:30 What is the job of a state party chair? 54:00 Avoiding burnout during the constant state of fundraisingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd breaks down how Donald Trump’s presidency has become more about global showmanship than governing at home. From pushing Argentinian beef over American ranchers to a fragile Israel-Hamas peace deal and secretive efforts at regime change in Venezuela, Todd argues the administration is setting a dangerous precedent—one where the president wields unchecked power. He exposes how the Department of Homeland Security has morphed into a political PR arm, spending millions on self-promotional ads and luxury jets for Kristi Noem, all while ignoring real crises. Then, the conversation shifts to the next major political flashpoint: artificial intelligence. As fear of AI grows, politicians like Florida’s Hector Mujica are making it a centerpiece issue. Todd explores how AI could fuel a new populist revolt, with both parties scrambling to offer answers to voters’ unease. From vanity projects to vanishing trust in technology, this Chuck paints a picture of a government distracted by power plays while the ground shifts beneath it. Then, he sits down with Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart to talk farming, politics, and the fight to keep Iowa relevant on the national stage. From corn and soybeans to caucuses and campaigns, Hart shares what it’s really like for farmers caught in the middle of tariffs, trade wars, and shrinking rural economies — and how Washington’s decisions have reshaped Iowa’s way of life. They discuss the state’s economic struggles, rural healthcare crisis, and the outsized impact of right-wing media, as well as the challenge of rebuilding trust in the Democratic brand across small towns that once went from Obama to Trump. Hart also dives into the future of Iowa’s political identity — why she thinks a rural state must remain among the first in the presidential primary calendar, how Democrats can connect urban and rural voters around shared values, and what success will look like for Iowa Democrats heading into 2026. It’s a candid, grounded look at where agriculture meets democracy, and how one state’s renewal could hold lessons for the entire country. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 political TV shows of the past decade and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:00 Trump ignoring domestic issues in favor of international ones 04:15 Trump suggests buying Argentinian beef, hurting American ranchers 05:45 Trump’s peace deal between Israel & Hamas may fall apart 07:00 Administration wants regime change in Venezuela, lying about it 08:45 Ecuador released survivor of navy attack in Caribbean, not a criminal 10:15 The precedent being set is the president has all the power 12:00 Dems painted Bush as caring more about other nations, can do same w/Trump 13:30 Trump administration spending huge money on themselves, not the public 14:15 DHS has spent $51m on direct to camera ads featuring Kristi Noem 16:00 DHS bought two Gulfstream private jets for Kristi Noem’s use 18:00 When something goes wrong with DHS, Kristi Noem will get the blame 19:00 DHS has gotten lucky with an incredibly light hurricane season 20:15 Administration is using taxpayer dollars to promote a future presidential run 21:15 Republicans will be stuck defending Trump’s vanity projects 22:30 There’s a coming political & cultural war over AI 23:15 Companies already getting scrutiny for using AI avatars in ads 24:30 Florida Democrat Hector Mujica makes AI center of his campaign 25:30 Fear of AI could be strong political motivator for voters 26:30 Politicians will need a good answer to AI anxiety 27:30 The globalization “soft landing” never materialized, AI could be similar 28:45 Trump shaking down DOJ for 200 million over his indictments 30:00 Sora 2 is the exclamation point of tech ruining the information ecosystem 31:15 Tech companies failed on social media, need supervision on AI 32:15 AI will increase the value of human to human interaction 36:00 Humans won’t be willing to marginalize themselves as a species 37:00 AI could create a massive populist revolt from across the spectrum 40:45 Rita Hart joins the Chuck ToddCast 41:45 Experience of working as farmers in Iowa 42:45 How much of your corn is for human consumption? 44:30 What can farmers do with soybeans if they can't find a buyer? 45:30 Tariffs & trade war can have dire consequences for farmers 47:00 What did government intervention look like last time & how does it work? 48:00 The trade war allowed foreign markets to take US ag customers 49:45 Targeted tariffs work for manufacturing but not for agriculture 51:30 Iowa's place in rebuilding the Democratic party in the midwest 52:25 The national brand has stained the Iowa brand 53:30 Iowa is nearly last in the nation for economic and income growth 54:15 Iowa's healthcare & childcare are increasingly unaffordable 55:15 Rural healthcare access is extremely limited in rural Iowa 56:15 Iowa has the most Obama to Trump voting counties in America 57:30 Iowa's local news has diminished, voters focused on national news 58:45 FOX News & right wing media have huge influence in Iowa 1:01:00 The national Democratic Party is in a state of transition 1:02:45 Iowa Democrats have been activated and engaged 1:03:45 Iowa has good primary candidates, DSCC should stay out of it 1:05:30 Rob Sand emphasized party credentials rather than go independent 1:07:30 What issues should Iowa Dems lean in, and lean out on? 1:09:45 Can't divide issues that affect everyone into "us vs. them" 1:12:15 How should Democrats talk about immigration 1:14:15 Need a sensible way for hard-working immigrants to get citizenship 1:16:15 Why has the DNC moved away from Iowa as first in the nation status 1:17:30 Iowa is a great testing ground for Democratic campaigns 1:19:30 Balancing targeting the urban centers vs the rural vote in campaigns 1:20:15 Why rural Iowa matters to a future presidential candidate 1:21:45 A rural state needs to be in the first four primary states 1:23:15 Will Iowa GOP work with Iowa Dems to keep first in nation status? 1:24:30 Iowa Democrats should get to choose between a caucus or a primary 1:27:15 Improving the caucus process to increase participation 1:28:30 What does success look like for Iowa Democrats in 2026? 1:30:30 There's a reason both Kim Reynolds and Joni Ernst dropped out 1:31:15 What is the job of a state party chair? 1:34:45 Avoiding burnout during the constant state of fundraising 1:37:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Rita Hart 1:40:15 ToddCast Top 5 Political TV shows from the past 10 years 1:40:30 West Wing is incredibly unrealistic 1:42:00 #1 The Diplomat 1:45:00 #2 For All Mankind 1:47:15 #3 Veep 1:49:15 #4 Succession 1:50:45 #5 The Walking Dead 1:54:00 Ask Chuck 1:54:30 Thoughts on Trump's face on a coin or the "Arc De Trump"? 2:00:15 What will make Arkansas football great again? 2:02:45 Does message or experience matter more for a presidential candidate? 2:06:15 Has privatizing air traffic controllers been considered? 2:10:15 Thoughts on a local journalist breaking the swastika flag story?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day's deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.This week on the podcast, just how special were those special election results, the Quad Cities felt the Bern, Ashley Hinson's fundraiser, and Iowa Democrats going rogue.This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Lee Des Moines Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.Read the stories we talked about in this episode:Drey flips Republican district, breaks supermajority in Iowa Senate: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_5d1aeff7-63b3-4cca-a194-d283c911b742.htmlHow much went into Catelin Drey's Senate District 1 win?: https://siouxcityjournal.com/article_b1a3d0e0-23e7-4184-8c3b-3b9dc57bb088.htmlFormer Iowa State Rep. Dave Dawson running for Iowa's Fourth Congressional District: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/article_ccbb4ad3-532e-4497-a94b-b1584ed17975.htmlBernie Sanders to stop in Davenport as part of 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_6d9ab8b6-e308-436f-8ecd-a6df6d26863e.htmlTrumps agenda front and center at Ashley Hinson rally in Cedar Rapids: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/trumps-agenda-front-and-center-at-ashley-hinson-rally-in-cedar-rapids/Iowa Democrats consider bringing back lead off caucuses even if it means going rogue in 2028: https://www.thegazette.com/national-politics/iowa-democrats-consider-bringing-back-lead-off-caucuses-even-if-it-means-going-rogue-in-2028/This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day's deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.Welcome to the Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, episode of On Iowa Politics. This week on the podcast, we'll talk about candidates entering and exiting races and last weekend's story about the new approach some Iowa Democrats are using on the campaign trail. Plus, a special election in Western Iowa for a seat in the Iowa Legislature. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

Candidates enter and exit the Iowa races for 2026. Today, a look at the shifting primary field with analysis from professor Jim McCormick of Iowa State University.

The Iowa State Fair once again provided the perfect backdrop for politics, food, and plenty of speculation about Iowa's future leadership. In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson unpack the buzz around the Iowa Secretary of State straw poll results, highlighting what they reveal about voter sentiment heading into 2026. From Governor Reynolds' enduring influence to the early positioning of would-be successors, the episode explores the dynamics shaping Iowa's conservative movement.But it's not just Republicans in the spotlight. Iowa Democrats used the fair to test new talking points, particularly in rural communities, shifting toward centrist or more populist rhetoric. The hosts examine whether this change is genuine or simply a political strategy to reconnect with voters who have overwhelmingly embraced conservative policies in recent years.The episode closes with a discussion on media coverage, political messaging, and how taxpayers must remain vigilant against attempts to mask higher spending behind clever campaign slogans. The fair may be about butter cows and pork chops on a stick, but as always, it's also about who will carry Iowa's conservative banner into the next election cycle.

As the 2026 election cycle takes shape, three stories signal how the political terrain is shifting: the return of Iowa to early-state relevance, the emergence of an independent challenge in Nebraska, and the Republican Party's willingness to get aggressive — fast.Iowa Democrats are pushing to reclaim their first-in-the-nation status — and they're doing it with or without national party approval. Senator Ruben Gallego is already promoting visits, and the message is clear: Iowa is back. For Democrats, this matters. The state has long served as a proving ground for insurgent campaigns, offering low costs, civic-minded voters, and a tight-knit media ecosystem. Barack Obama's 2008 breakthrough began in Iowa for a reason. It rewards organization, retail politics, and real ground games.The party's 2024 decision to downgrade Iowa was framed as a gesture to Black voters in states like South Carolina and Georgia. In reality, it was a strategic retreat by Joe Biden to avoid a poor showing. That backfired when Dean Phillips forced an awkward New Hampshire campaign and Biden had to rely on a write-in effort. Now, Iowa's utility is being rediscovered — not because it changed, but because the party's strategy failed. For candidates who want to win on message and mechanics, Iowa remains unmatched.In Nebraska, Dan Osborne is trying to chart a different kind of path — not as a Democrat, but as an independent with populist instincts. Running against Senator Pete Ricketts, Osborne is leaning into a class-focused campaign. His ads channel a blue-collar ethos: punching walls, working with his hands, and taking on the rich. He doesn't have to answer for Biden. He doesn't have to pick sides in old partisan fights. He just has to be relatable and viable.That independence could be Osborne's biggest asset — or his biggest liability. His support for Bernie Sanders invites the question: is he a true outsider, or a Democrat in disguise? Sanders has always caucused with Democrats and run on their ticket. Osborne will have to prove he can remain politically distinct while tapping into a coalition broad enough to win in a deeply red state. Nebraska voters might give him a chance, but they'll need a reason to believe he's not just another version of what they already know.And then there's the tone of the campaign itself. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is already running attack ads that border on X-rated. A recent spot reads aloud hashtags from a sexually explicit tweet in a bid to link opponents with cultural extremes. The strategy is clear: bypass policy, bypass biography — go straight for discomfort. Make voters associate the opposition with something taboo. Make the election feel like a moral emergency.These tactics aren't about persuasion. They're about turnout. They aim to harden the base, suppress moderates, and flood the discourse with outrage. The fact that it's happening this early suggests Republicans see 2026 as a high-stakes cycle where no race can be taken for granted. And if this is how they're starting, the tone by next summer could be even more toxic.All of this — Iowa's return, Osborne's challenge, the NRSC's messaging — points to a midterm cycle already in motion. The personalities are distinct. The tactics are evolving. But the stakes, as ever, are the same: power, perception, and the battle to define the political future before anyone casts a vote.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:01:56 - Midterm Ads00:15:18 - Interview with Dave Levinthal00:37:31 - Update00:38:11 - Ken Paxton and the Texas Senate Race00:43:02 - Congressional Districts00:47:31 - Fed Chair00:52:42 - Interview with Dave Levinthal (con't)01:11:22 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Local fundraising efforts will allow some AmeriCorps workers to stay in Davenport for the summer. Iowa Democrats are worried about the impact to rural healthcare under proposed federal Medicaid cuts. And why are more farmers taking out loans?

Job Corps in Denison, Iowa to close after federal cuts; Iowa Democrats say Medicaid cuts will decimate rural health care; Vaccination rates in South Dakota are dropping

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a range of pressing issues, from Senator Rand Paul's recent visit to Iowa and the implications of his federal spending critique, to the Iowa legislature's new civics education requirement for high school students. It's an episode that connects federal fiscal concerns with state-level responsibility—and a call to renew America's civic literacy.The discussion begins with Paul's call for real entitlement reform and block granting federal funds like Medicaid and education to the states. While supportive in theory, Chris and John point out the potential risks of this approach if not accompanied by meaningful federal spending reform: namely, federal offloading without federal funding. Drawing on Iowa's experience with Medicaid expansion, they caution that block grants without budget discipline at the federal level simply shift the fiscal burden to states like Iowa.They then turn to the 2026 Iowa governor's race, examining early dynamics within the Democratic Party. A progressive blog post critical of State Auditor Rob Sand's moderate positioning prompts a discussion about ideological tensions, and whether Iowa Democrats will again try to coronate a nominee rather than hold a competitive primary.The second half of the show shifts to civics education. Governor Kim Reynolds recently signed a bill requiring high school graduates to pass the U.S. citizenship exam—a move the hosts praise as a baseline requirement to restore public understanding of American government. Chris quizzes John on real questions from the exam, sparking a spirited conversation on federalism, states' rights, and education bias in civics classrooms.They close the show with a quote quiz from the Hendrickson Library archives on government reform and tax restraint—a reminder that spending discipline is not a new idea, and that state and federal leaders must embrace it again.

The November 2026 election is still 19 months away, but some Northwest Iowa Democrats are debating becoming candidates for seats now held by Republicans.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart discusses her leadership and the path forward for Iowa Democrats.

Don't count America out just yet! Democrats flipped a state Senate seat in Iowa, in a district Trump won by 21 percent—a resounding rebuke to the psychopath in the White House. In an election year that saw incumbents lose all over the world, Trump barely scraped by with one of the narrowest victories in generations, even with the help of the world's richest man, Elon Musk, bribing voters, rampant far-right disinformation, voter suppression laws, several Russian bomb threats, and GOP ratf*cking—everything we covered on the show during the 2024 election, asking, “Is anyone going to do anything, Merrick Garland?”  Americans are notoriously fickle, flipping back and forth between parties 16 times since 2000. Expect a shift in the midterms and a potential flip in the 2028 presidential election. But here's the real question: what if our elections have become as fake as Russia's? We'll dive into that in an upcoming episode to explore what leverage we have left to protect the integrity of our vote. What matters most now is unity in opposition to Trump. But how can we come together when so much resentment remains over who refused to vote for Kamala Harris out of protest and encouraged others to do the same. In this week's bonus show of Gaslit Nation, Andrea and Terrell Starr from the Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack discuss how we can set aside our differences, forgive the past, and unite for the future of our democracy. It's the beginning of a tough conversation that ignited online after Trump essentially called for ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the deportation of pro-Palestinian protesters here at home—an outcome many of us warned about when we urged people to vote for the sake of humanity's survival.   Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!   Show Notes: Rachel Maddow episode that includes segment on Curtis Yarvin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UdHdjuodPg   Transcript: Rachel Maddow episode that includes segment on Curtis Yarvin: https://www.happyscribe.com/public/the-rachel-maddow-show/exclusive-rachel-maddow-interviews-mn-governor-tim-walz-as-trump-plots-end-of-u-s   New York Times profile of Curtis Yarvin (gift article) https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/18/magazine/curtis-yarvin-interview.html?unlocked_article_code=1.tU4.5F3W.Vw3JZNQC_UYS&smid=url-share   Terrell Starr // Black Diplomats Substack https://substack.com/@terrellstarr   The size of Donald Trump's 2024 election victory, explained in 5 charts https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/the-size-of-donald-trumps-2024-election-victory-explained-in-5-charts   Trump's Gaza proposal rejected by allies and condemned as ethnic cleansing plan https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/26/trump-resumes-sending-2000-pound-bombs-to-israel-undoing-biden-pause   Iowa Democrats flip Senate seat in special election to cut into Republican majority https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/01/28/iowa-democrats-flip-senate-seat-in-special-election-chris-cournoyer/77999519007/   Don't Let Liberal Purity Elect Trump https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/30/opinion/gaza-harris-trump.html   Events at Gaslit Nation   Feb 3 4:30pm ET – Dr. Meena Bewtra of Doctors for America joins our Gaslit Nation Salon to share how to protect Obamacare and medicaid Feb 7 8:30pm ET - Gaslit Nation Board Game Night! We're playing Codenames. Here's a primer: https://youtu.be/zQVHkl8oQEU?si=YjkUvZa9XQQTVlF8 Feb 10 4pm ET – Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman joins our Gaslit Nation Salon to discuss Russia, Ukraine, and Trump Feb 24 4pm ET – Gaslit Nation Book Club at our Gaslit Nation Salon to discuss Albert Camu's The Stranger (Matthew Ward translation) and Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning March 17 4pm ET – Dr. Lisa Corrigan joins our Gaslit Nation Salon to discuss America's private prison crisis in an age of fascist scapegoating  NEW! Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon ONGOING! Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon  NEW! Climate Crisis Committee launched in the Patreon Chat thanks to a Gaslit Nation listener who holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences NEW! Caretaker Committee launched in the Patreon Chat for our listeners who are caretakers and want to share resources, vent, and find community  NEW! Public Safety page added to GaslitNationPod.com to help you better protect yourself from this lunacy (i.e. track recalls, virus threats, and more!) https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/public-safety ONGOING! Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? It's available on GaslitNationPod.com https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/survey-reject-hypernormalization ONGOING! Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community  Thank you to everyone who supports the show!   

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to re-create the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day's deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.This week on the podcast, we preview the legislative session and talk about Rita Hart being re-elected as Iowa Democrats' state leader and an Iowa man joining a lawsuit against the federal government for $50 billion.This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Gazette Columnist Todd Dorman, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, and Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal. This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

This week on the podcast, an Iowan is the new U.S. ambassador to NATO, Iowa Democrats talk about where the party goes from here and the latest in Iowa's 1st Congressional District. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Gazette columnist Todd Dorman and Sarah Watson of The Quad City Times.This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

Candidates in Iowa's second congressional district share thoughts on Biden's proposal involving over-the-counter birth control methods. The expiration of the 2018 farm bill is impacting farmers. And how Iowa Democrats are making abortion rights a central issue in their campaigns.

In this episode of ITR Live, hosts Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson discuss various topics including new updates to the ITR Live Studio at the Hendrickson Center for the Preservation of Western Civilization. Shocking news as Iowa Democrats finally get fact-checked by the mainstream media, even though it came from a network TV station in Omaha. Legislative Democrats decided to make up their on facts on public school closures to win cheap political points on Educational Savings Accounts heading into the November election. Chris and John also discuss once again the achievements of Governor Kim Reynolds in tax reforms and how Iowa is leading the nation on fiscal policy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of factual reporting and the implications of upcoming elections on Iowa's future.

00000192-0a73-dd03-a7fa-8bf7b48e0000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/good-morning-from-wvik-news/2024-09-19/optimism-grows-among-iowa-democratsJim O'HaraOptimism Grows Among Iowa Democrats100

Iowa Democrats say the state's Area Education Agencies have 429 fewer employees than last year, after lawmakers made changes to the system's funding and structure. Classes are set to begin in Rock Valley, after two months of repair and preparation following severe flooding in June. And, a landfill in northeast Iowa is recycling the methane it produces into natural gas.

Iowa's fetal heartbeat abortion ban goes into effect today. Iowa Democrats heard from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear over the weekend. And the Trans Youth Emergency Fund is now available in Iowa.

The Des Moines City Council is considering changing its ordinance that allows the clearing of encampments on public property this morning, some say the new ordinance is a harder-line approach to homelessness. The Iowa chapter of the ACLU has sent a letter to the council opposing the changes. Iowa Democrats respond to President Biden's exit from the 2024 presidential race. And a Polk County Judge says he's allowing some time to lift the injunction on Iowa's heartbeat abortion ban, but didn't say how much time.

Welcome to the Friday, July 12, episode of On Iowa Politics. This week on the podcast, the latest on disaster recovery efforts in Iowa, a surprise suspension of a statehouse re-election campaign, and Iowa Democrats' response to the calls for Biden to drop out.This week:Erin Murphy, the Des Moines Bureau Chief for The Gazette in Cedar Rapids.Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton.Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough.Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times.Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand discusses the work his office is doing, Iowa Democrats, politics and his future.

Iowa Democrats say more than 12,000 people participated in the party's first-ever mail-in caucus, with President Joe Biden capturing more than 90% of that vote. Iowa House Republicans have passed a bill putting more restrictions on absentee voting. And the Senate has passed a bill that would make it is a crime to enter the state if they were already deported or refused entry to the U.S.

Featured StoriesBiden easily wins Iowa Democrats' mail-in caucusMarion mayor: New mobile library, Central Plaza and more planned for 2024Former U.S. ag secretary to keynote Celebration of Ag in Cedar RapidsThis episode was hosted and produced by Bailey Cichon.

0000018e-1450-da31-a58f-bc5147320000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/good-morning-from-wvik-news/2024-03-06/super-tuesday-results-for-iowa-democratsJim O'HaraSuper Tuesday Results for Iowa Democrats10

Smuggling people would be a new crime in Iowa under a bill advancing at the Statehouse. Iowa Democrats are proposing a number of bills to protect abortion rights, expand access to birth control, and extend postpartum Medicaid coverage. And, a Mason City native who has led the national League of Women Voters for the past four years has died.

Former President Donald Trump has won the Iowa caucuses by a record margin. He defeated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis by 30 percentage points. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley finished third. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy was a distant fourth, and announced he was suspending his campaign for president. Iowa Democrats caucused as well, but not to choose a presidential nominee. Turnout was reported low.

The Iowa Caucuses are here, but do they actually matter? Tune in for the latest on how extreme weather may affect turnout, all the weird and cringey attempts from candidates to spark some magic in the 11th hour, and an update on how Iowa Democrats are holding their own, non binding caucuses after being dethroned as the first state.  Do your part! Leave a 5-star review and follow us on Twitter @CowardCast! debatemecoward.com    

Welcome to the weekend!This is Stephen Colbert from the Gazette Digital News Desk, and I'm here with your update for Saturday, January 6th and Sunday January 7th, 2024.According to the National Weather Service, there may be some snow from Friday night, but otherwise Saturday will be partly sunny, with a high near 37. Saturday night will have a 20 percent chance of snow and be mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.Sunday will be partly sunny, with a high near 34, and Sunday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.The first winter storm of 2024 is en route to IowaThe first winter storm of the year will blow across the Midwest early next week, meteorologists are forecasting.The storm system should charge through southeastern Iowa Monday afternoon into Tuesday evening. It brings a 40 percent to 70 percent chance of at least minor winter travel impacts to Eastern Iowa, with the potential for accumulating snowfall and strong winds.Be sure to check weather forecasts and road conditions before you travel anywhere, and pack an emergency supply kit for your vehicle.Iowa Republican caucus results will be posted in real time on caucus nightThe results of the first-in-the-nation Iowa Republican presidential caucus will be reported in real time on a public website, the state party said Thursday.The Iowa Republican caucus results will be displayed online and constantly updated through the evening as they are reported to and confirmed by the state party, Republican Party of Iowa consultant Patrick Stewart told reporters Thursday.Stewart said the results will be processed in three stages: vote collection at the 1,657 precincts across the state, verification at state party headquarters, and the public reporting to the website.Iowa Democrats push to reverse state rejection of federal summer food assistanceIowa Statehouse Democrats will push to reverse a decision from state officials to opt out of a federal food assistance program for low-income children, party leaders said during a forum Thursday.House and Senate Democratic leaders made the remarks during the Iowa Capitol Press Association's annual Legislative Session Preview Forum. Republican leaders and Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds declined to attend the forum.The state Department of Health and Human Services announced in December that it would not participate in the 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children program. The program would have given $40 per child for each of the summer months to families who qualify for free and reduced lunch during the school year.Instead, Reynolds said the state would expand existing programs that “leverage partnerships with community-based providers and schools who understand the needs of the families they serve.”Have a good weekend everyone.

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/iowa-democrats-92538451Justin Comer (Rock Hard Caucus) and Gavin Aronsen (Iowa Informer) join Josiah to discuss the Iowa Democratic Party's attack on University of Iowa Democrats after they issued a statement supporting Palestine. While this is a local Iowan story, it's also a case study in a broader trend of liberals attacking Palestinian solidarity, both on campuses and in their own ranks, especially surrounding the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." Music by SHADE08

The Biden administration is proposing giving Iowa an estimated $8 million to help address the opioid epidemic. Iowa Democrats can begin requesting mail-in presidential preference cards for the 2024 Iowa caucuses. Plus, Waterloo has proposed a development solution to one of its riverfront brownfield sites.

Welcome to the weekend!This is Stephen Colbert from the Gazette Digital News Desk, and I'm here with your update for Saturday, October 7th, and Sunday, October 8th, 2023.According to the National Weather Service, Saturday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Saturday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.Sunday, will be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 65, cooling to a low around 39 Sunday night.Iowa Democrats release details of mail-in caucus planIowa Democrats will wait until Super Tuesday in early March to release the results of its planned mail-in caucus presidential preference contest that begins months earlier.Iowa Democrats will be able to register for the mail-in absentee process starting Nov. 1, according to new details released by the party. Presidential preference cards will be mailed starting Jan. 12.Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart briefed reporters Friday ahead of a meeting of the Democratic National Committee's rules committee, which has yet to sign off on Iowa Democrats' presidential preference plan.Cedar Rapids considering rules for controlling feral cat populationA proposed ordinance intended to control the population of free-roaming cats in Cedar Rapids is causing concern among animal welfare activists over provisions that include setting a threshold for ceasing to feed to animals.The changes, if adopted by the City Council, would make Cedar Rapids one of several cities in Eastern Iowa to adopt rules for “trap-neuter-return” — a common way of keeping community cat populations under control without having to euthanize them.Family farms turning pumpkin patches, orchards into tourist drawsFrom new pumpkin patches to lavender fields to honey to maple syrup, family farms have become popular destinations for families to enjoy the outdoors, connect with farmers and the local food system, reduce screen time and entertain, educate and stimulate children.Johnson and Washington counties have teamed up on a new marketing effort to create a regional brand and promote the area as an agritourism destination.At the state and local level, government and business leaders have sought to promote and leverage Iowa's natural assets and entrepreneurial farm operations to further grow agritourism and engage the public in Iowa's agricultural operations, whether through farm or winery tours, cider houses, hay rides, apple- and berry-picking or other activities.Besides the Johnson and Washington county effort in the Corridor, Linn County also is working to boost agritourism, seeing its potential to attract visitors.Go to TheGazette.com to read our full interview with with Sarah Thompson, rural development director of Greater Iowa City Inc., about the effort and the potential to increase agritourism in Iowa.Don't forget to register for our free 2023 Iowa Ideas conference!Iowa Ideas is an annual virtual conference designed to gather Iowans from all perspectives to explore, discuss and offer solutions on issues impacting the state. Every attendee has the ability to customize their own schedule, with over fifty sessions across nine tracks. The free virtual conference will take place October 12-13. Register for free at IowaIdeas.com.Have a good weekend, everyone.

Chad and Jim close out the week by celebrating that Iowa Democrats have accepted the terms of surrender, and the Democratic Caucus will move back to Super Tuesday.Meanwhile, that border fencing from the Biden team is much less than it meets the eye - this is just an attempt to avoid legal and political headaches of not spending money that they're legally required to spend.And In the aftermath of this week's test of the National Emergency Alert System, the guys chew over the fact that the National Emergency Alert System has never been used in an actual national emergency, which raises the question of what the point of it is...Please visit our great sponsors:4Patriothttps://4Patriots.comUse code MARTINI to get 10% off your purchase.Moink Boxhttps://moinkbox.com/martiniGet FREE ground beef for a YEAR at MoinkBox .com/MARTINI

Chad and Jim close out the week by celebrating that Iowa Democrats have accepted the terms of surrender, and the Democratic Caucus will move back to Super Tuesday. Meanwhile, that border fencing from the Biden team is much less than it meets the eye – this is just an attempt to avoid legal and political […]

This is Stephen Schmidt from the Gazette Digital News Desk, and I'm here with your update for September 18, 2023.According to the National Weather Service on Monday it will be sunny with a high near 78 degrees in the Cedar Rapids area. Late Monday night into Tuesday morning there is a high chance of showers and potentially a thunderstorm.According to the Associated Press a judge found an Iowa man guilty Friday in the murder of a 10-year-old girl who was missing for eight months before her remains were found in a pond.51-year-old Henry Earl Dinkins was found guilty of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Breasia Terrell, whose disappearance July 10, 2020, led to massive searches by dozens of volunteers and numerous law enforcement agencies. A fisherman found her body in March 2021 in a rural area north of Davenport.Sentencing was set for Oct. 11, at which Dinkins faces a mandatory term of life in prison.According to the report, after the decision, as deputies were removing Dinkins from the courtroom, spectators erupted in cheers.No one was injured after firefighters responded to a fire raging at a farm southwest of Cedar Rapids on Sunday.According to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, firefighters from Fairfax and Cedar Rapids were called just after noon on Sunday to a fire at a farm at the 7500 block of 16th Ave SW.Crews arriving at the scene saw that a corn bin and barn there were fully aflame. The fire had progressed to such a degree on those two structures that firefighters decided that they could not be saved, and they worked to contain the fire and protect nearby structures, according to the release.Once a perimeter protecting those other buildings had been established, firefighters attacked the fire consuming the barn and silo from multiple positions, quickly bringing the fire under control.The corn bin and barn were a total loss, according to the release. No firefighter injuries were reported.The cause of the fire is under investigation.Iowa Democrats voted on Saturday to hold their 2024 caucuses on Jan. 15, the same day as Republicans.The date fills in one detail as the party works to plan its calendar and presidential nominating contest after being booted from being the first-in-the-nation presidential nominating contest by the national party earlier this year.The date also falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday.Under the party's proposal, the caucuses would only be a party organizing meeting, while the presidential preference count that has historically put the caucuses in the national spotlight will be held via a mail-in process at a different time.

Iowa's Political Shift: A Deep Dive into Changing Political Landscapes The Iowa State Fair sits at the center of the political universe, with Republican Presidential candidates each making their obligatory appearance. The past weekend had Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis both there at the same time. The New York Times recently published an article drawing attention to the Democrats' predicaments in Iowa. The article, based on interviews with a number of Iowa Democrats, reveals a general sense of disillusionment within the party's ranks. Many interviewed spoke candidly about the challenges they face, from dwindling support to policy misalignment. Over the years, political landscapes undergo seismic shifts and no place exemplifies these changes better than Iowa. The state, once a stronghold for progressive ideologies, has veered towards the right in recent times. Conservatives have replaced the previous progressive agenda, underscoring a profound shift in Iowa's political balance. John and Chris also have a few thoughts on cost of our investment in Ukraine with a troubling lack of accountability.

This is Stephen Schmidt from the Gazette Digital News Desk, and I'm here with your update for Monday, July 10.It will be a sunny day to start your week. According to the National Weather Service it will be sunny with a high near 90 degrees in the Cedar Rapids area. A chance for rain will return on Tuesday and Wednesday.Police and firefighters evacuated a southwest Cedar Rapids motel Saturday after receiving several calls reporting a gas leak or some other vapor exposure.One person was evaluated by ambulance crews, but did not need additional medical care, according to a Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman. No injuries were reported.Authorities were first called at 10:14 a.m. to the Motel 6 at 616 33rd Ave. SW. According to the spokesman, utility crews found the source of the exposure and fixed it. But then, about 1:44 p.m., authorities were called again after guests began complaining of symptoms of an apparent exposure to gas or vapor.Firefighters responded again, and ventilated the motel and conducted a room-by-room search to evacuate guests. According to a previous real estate listing, the two-story motel, built in 1977, has 100 guest rooms.The incident remains under investigationIowa Republicans will hold their upcoming presidential caucuses on Jan. 15, 2024, the state party announced Saturday.The announcement resolves one uncertainty about the 2024 Iowa caucuses, but much still is in question as Iowa Democrats seek to hold an early caucus while following rules set by the Democratic National Committee last year that kicked Iowa Democrats from the first-in-the-nation spot.Iowa GOP chair Jeff Kaufmann criticized Iowa Democrats' previous caucus proposals — which included conducting the presidential selection process mostly by mail — in his announcement on Saturday.Generally the one point of agreement between Iowa Democrats and Republicans, the caucus process has become fractious as Republicans have accused Democrats of threatening Iowa's first-in-the-nation status with their mail-in caucus proposal.Four weeks into summer school across Iowa's public universities, enrollment remains below pre-pandemic levels — although campus leaders are “encouraged” by signs student counts are normalizing.UI summer enrollment for the term that started May 15 was 10,261 — the lowest since 1980; 183 students below last summer's 10,444; and 21 percent down from 2017's 13,005.Although Iowa State University saw a slight uptick of 65 students this summer to 8,468, its count remains well below the ISU summer peak of 12,060 students in 2017.And while University of Northern Iowa's summer enrollment inched up 42 students to 2,631, it's 64 percent below the 4,326 students UNI reported in summer 2017.Although Iowa's public universities' combined six-year graduation rate dipped in the most recent report in fall 2022, their collective four-year rate has been climbing — now reaching 56 percent, up from 35 percent in 2000.The quicker paths to graduation could be in play in the public universities' broader enrollment drops — mirrored in the lower summer counts — which were predicted, due to the state's changing demographics, and were aggravated by COVID's impact on the traditional college experience and student lives.

After a state supreme court ruling, Iowa Democrats brace for special legislative session on abortion and the fetal-heartbeat bill.

On the podcast this week, the Iowa Supreme Court rules on the fetal heartbeat bill, national Democrats reject Iowa Democrats' caucus plan, more fallout from Iowa Senate Democrats' leadership shakeup, and our gang talks to some of the long-shot presidential candidates in Iowa.On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to re-create the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day's deadlines have been met.This week's show is hosted by The Gazette's Des Moines Bureau Chief in Cedar Rapids Erin Murphy and features The Gazette's Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal, and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.The show was produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music heard on the podcast is courtesy of Paleo and Copperhead.

This Stephen Schmidt from the Gazette Digital News Desk, and I'm here with your update for Wednesday, June 14.It may not be summer, yet, but it's going to feel like it on Wednesday. According to the National Weather service it will be mostly sunny in the Cedar Rapids area on Wednesday with a high near 90 degrees. On Wednesday evening it will be partly cloudy, with a low of around 62 degrees.According to reporting from the Associated Press, Donald Trump became the first former president to face a judge on federal charges as he pleaded not guilty in a Miami courtroom Tuesday to dozens of felony counts that he hoarded classified documents and refused government demands to give them back.Trump approached his arraignment with characteristic bravado, posting social media broadsides against the prosecution from inside his motorcade and insisting as he has through years of legal woes that he has done nothing wrong and was being persecuted for political purposes. But despite his swagger, he still will have to answer to 37 felony counts that accuse him of willfully retaining classified records that prosecutors say could have jeopardized national security if exposed, as well as trying to hide them from investigators who demanded them back.Meanwhile, back in Iowa, drama continued for Iowa Democrats.Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs and former Iowa Senate majority leader, was asked to resign from his statehouse lobbying job for the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council after the organization learned of his involvement in Senate Democrats' recent removal of Sen. Zach Wahls as their leader.The Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council is a collection of nine regional building trades councils that represents thousands of Iowa construction workers. The organization lobbies state lawmakers on proposed legislation related to the construction industry.The nature of Gronstal's involvement in Senate Democrats' leadership change was not detailed by the council or made public by Senate Democrats. But the two longtime staffers who were fired had worked for Gronstal when he was majority leader.The council asked for Gronstal's resignation the next day.The two staffers who were fired by Wahls — Erik Bakker and Deb Kattenhorn — have been rehired and are once again working for Iowa Senate Democrats, a caucus spokesman confirmed.And one staffer who Wahls had hired, Kaity Patchett, was fired by Jochum. Patchett previously worked in the office of former Central Iowa U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne.A portion of Tower Terrace Road in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, which has been closed for a little over a year for the construction of an interchange connecting the road to Interstate 380, is scheduled to open later this month.A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new interchange — a “diverging diamond” design — is scheduled for June 22, and the Iowa Department of Transportation is hoping to have the roadway open on or shortly after that date.This will be Iowa's third diverging diamond interchange, and the first on the east side of the state. Diverging diamond is an interchange design in which traffic switches to the left side of the roadway while crossing over the interstate, allowing those turning left onto the interstate a clean turn, rather than turning across incoming traffic.

Political analysts Donna Hoffman and Sara Mitchell talk about recent and upcoming trips to the state by potential GOP presidential contenders and the work to be done by Iowa Democrats.

Voter registration hit a 20-year high in last year's midterms, Iowa Democrats work around losing their early caucus status, and Florida Republicans vote to shield top lawmakers' travel records from the public.

Also, Iowa homeowners saw their property assessments increase drastically — in some cases as much as 50%. An Iowa assessor shares what this means for their taxes and how to appeal.

On this week's edition of the On Iowa Politics podcast: the legislative debate turns fromschool funding to school policy, Iowa Democrats gain a new leader just as they're about to lose first in the nation, and some 2024 news — since Republicans' hashtag-i-a-caucus is still hashtag f-i-t-n.On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to re-create the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day's deadlines have been met.This week's show is hosted by The Gazette's Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal, and Gazette Columnist Todd Dorman.The show was produced by Stephen M. Colbert, and the music heard on the podcast is courtesy of Natalie Brown and Copperhead.

Fresh off his Iowa trip, Joe reports back on a few days of canvassing the state - what has Iowa Democrats really energized? Joe and Alex catch up on all the good news for Democrats this week - economic numbers, encouraging polling, and more. And what's Joe's unvarnished take on the Pennsylvania debate? Did it even matter? Plus, 107,000 "found" voter registrations in Virginia... wait, what? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Republican Congress member Jim Leach recently announced his endorsement of Iowa Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm election.

Iowa Democrats made their case to their national party to keep the Iowa caucuses in the early presidential nominating calendar. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley voted no and Senator Joni Ernst voted yes on the bipartisan gun bill that passed the U.S. Senate. A western Iowa town will hold its very first Immigrant Heritage Festival tomorrow. Plus, Iowa State University is suspending its men's hockey club from competition next year in response to allegations of hazing.