Here First

Hundreds of people attended a legal observer training in Cedar Rapids. A Democrat has announced his run for state treasurer. And a conversation with the first Iowan to make the U.S. Olympic speedskating team.

Iowa Democrats will get a chance to make their case for one of the early slots in the 2028 presidential nominating process. Iowa farmers are hopeful about President Trump’s call to expand the sale of E15 gasoline. And Johnson County supervisors recently met with residents of local mobile home parks to learn more about their list of concerns.

There are bills proposed in response to the arrest of former Des Moines superintendent Ian Roberts. Political party leaders are getting ready for the Iowa Caucuses. And how are dairy farmers dealing with dropping milk prices?

House Republican state lawmakers are proposing bills they say would be tough on crime. John Deere is hiring back some workers it laid off last year. And how are Iowa farmers accessing mental health services?

President Trump spoke in Iowa in an effort to rally Republican votes for the 2026 midterms. Senate Democrats in Congress say they won't vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security without limits on ICE. And most of the Republican candidates for governor share their stance on abortion laws.

Black lawmakers are expanding their caucus to include other racial minorities. A state lawmaker is being treated for uterine cancer. And a few congressional candidates have dropped their campaigns. An earlier version of this podcast stated the Black and Brown Caucus has 12 members. It has 10.

Iowans protest ICE's presence in the Twin Cities. President Trump is set to speak in Iowa tomorrow. And the latest from the Iowa Capitol.

Former superintendent of Des Moines schools Ian Roberts has agreed to a plea deal rather than go to trial. House Democratic lawmakers have proposed a water quality bill. And how are scientists trying to hybridize wheat?

House Republicans have released their property tax plan. Linn County is working on an ordinance to regulate data center development. And there's a bill that would change the structure of the Board of Regents.

Iowa communities took part in Free America Walkout protests. Cedar Rapids school district is drastically shrinking its budget. And how much money did candidates for governor raise last year?