Here First

Early voting begins Wednesday in Iowa. All four of Iowa’s Republican members of the US House voted for Ohio Representative Jim Jordan in the failed vote for speaker of the House. Plus, we check in on Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy with IPR’s Grant Gerlock as we kick off a series of stories on the state’s water quality issues.

Former President Donald Trump campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination in Iowa on the same day a judge issued a partial gag order on him. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the rain that fell on the state last week was both ill-timed and badly needed. Plus, it’s "National School Bus Safety Week.”

Three of the four Republicans who represent Iowa in the US House will support Ohio Representative Jim Jordan for House Speaker. A new report has ranked Iowa 16th in the nation when it comes to women and children’s health. Plus, the University of Iowa set a new women's basketball attendance record Sunday.

The latest figures for Iowa’s new education savings accounts show 18,893 students are approved for state funding to put toward private school tuition. Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is buying $2 million in advertising in Iowa. Plus, how the program Title One began and where it’s at today as federal lawmakers mull a new farm bill.

State regulators plan to resume a hearing next month on Summit Carbon Solutions’ route for its proposed CO2 pipeline. Cedar Rapids School officials are concerned a middle school in the district isn’t structurally sound. Plus, an Iowa man has been sentenced to two life terms for killing a 10-year-old girl.

Sen. Joni Ernst met in-person with Israel's top leaders as they respond to terror attacks that started over the weekend. Mercy Iowa City announced on of its primary creditors bought the financially imperiled hospital. Plus, more than 200 scientists at Iowa colleges and universities have signed on to the 2023 Iowa Climate Statement.

Iowa’s congressional delegation reacts to the attacks on Israel. Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has strong words for Hamas and Democrats after the attack on Israel while campaigning in Iowa. Plus, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition has a new leader.

Former President Donald Trump and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination this weekend. The Iowa Democratic Party will release the results of its caucuses on Super Tuesday in 2024. Plus, a middle school in Eastern Iowa has been awarded a special distinction by the United States Department of Education.

Iowa’s Racing and Gaming Commission says the sports betting scandal at two of the state’s public universities has not turned up any attempts to fix games. Marshalltown is installing a public Narcan dispenser to help fight opioid overdoses. Native American advocates in Iowa are raising awareness of Indigenous People’s Day, which is Monday.

Ground’s been broken on a new passenger terminal for Des Moines’ airport. This year’s drought has brought an increased risk of fire during the fall harvest. And, Iowa City’s famed Hamburg Inn #2 reopens today under new ownership.