Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent about half of this episode discussing newly reported information regarding the financial and legal entanglements of Derek Wulf, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, along with potential political impact and questions that remain unanswered. Other topics covered: key findings from the latest Emerson College/Nexstar Media poll of Iowa's races for governor and U.S. Senate, the political landscape in Iowa's four U.S. House races, and ethics complaints filed against two Republican state lawmakers.

Laura Belin and Dennis Hart (filling in for Spencer Dirks) analyzed Suffolk University's latest Iowa poll findings on the races for governor, U.S. Senate, and a proposed constitutional amendment. Next they covered the latest loss in court for Libertarians and big Republican and Democratic campaign rallies in Polk County. Other topics covered: television ads for both candidates in the attorney general race, the top arguments for each side and an internal poll in the Iowa secretary of agriculture race, and a state legislator appealing his recent conviction for not having a baby properly restrained while driving.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the slew of senior Trump administration officials who came to support Republican candidates during the Iowa State Fair, questions about Pete Hegseth's campaign appearance for Zach Nunn, and the president's short-term decision on beef imports. They covered several stories related to the races for governor and U.S. Senate, including new ads on both sides, a few news items from the Congressional campaigns, and finished with state fair controversies and speeches by candidates for state treasurer, state auditor, secretary of state, and attorney general.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the DNC calendar and how it may impact Iowa Democrats, as well as the latest news about Libertarian candidates for Congress and lieutenant governor. They spent most of the show on political speeches from the Iowa State Fair: Democratic and Republican candidates for governor, all three candidates for U.S. Senate, and most of the candidates in Iowa's four U.S. House races. They finished the show with speeches by candidates for secretary of state and secretary of agriculture.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the latest news about Libertarian efforts to field candidates for governor and Congress. They covered several findings from the Emerson College/Nexstar Media poll of the races for governor and Senate, the latest wrangling over televised debates and a preview of candidate appearances at the Iowa State Fair. Other news from the campaign trail included a new Rob Sand ad, Zach Lahn's latest public events, Sand and Lahn on data centers, Zach Wahls' latest political project, the role of health care in various races, new ads for Christina Bohannan and Sarah Trone Garriott, and GOP attacks on Democrats who are pastors. They ended the show with some news from Congress: including political angles on the stalled Farm Bill.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks started with three court rulings related to Libertarian candidates for governor or Congress, and a new Republican suit to revive a restriction on absentee ballots. They covered several stories related to Iowa's U.S. Senate and governor's races—including GOP nominee Zach Lahn mixing it up with Laura on a social media platform. Other topics covered: a poll of Iowa's first Congressional district, Democratic groups targeting the second Congressional district and more than a dozen state House or Senate seats, Chris Jones' plan to get more local food in Iowa schools, campaign ads about a proposed constitutional amendment, and take three on a lawsuit from publishers and authors challenging restrictions on school library books.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the latest governor's race news: policy ideas, wrangling over debates, Zach Lahn's change message, a new TV ad, and the first public comments from lieutenant governor candidate Derek Wulf about his financial problems. They covered news from the Senate race, including Ted Cruz stumping for Ashley Hinson and Republican concerns about turnout. Other topics covered: a new talking point for Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Zach Nunn's starring role in a viral video, news about the secretary of agriculture and secretary of state races, the latest court hearings for Libertarians trying to get back on the ballot, and a DNC committee leaving Iowa out of the early window in the 2028 presidential nominating process.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with Republican speeches to the Family Leadership Summit: Ashley Hinson, Zach Lahn, Mike Johnson, and more. They discussed Laura's exclusive reporting on the litigation facing GOP nominee for lieutenant governor Derek Wulf and unanswered questions about how he is repaying his debts. They also covered highlights from the latest round of fundraising reports for Iowa's state and federal candidates, including yet another record-breaking haul for Rob Sand. Finally, Senator Chuck Grassley vouched for Todd Blanche, and Laura rememberd the late State Senator Julian Garrett as a "model of persistence."

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the big Iowa Democratic and Republican fundraisers that happened over the weekend, covering remarks by Pete Buttigieg and all of the Democrats running for federal or statewide offices, as well as the main political speeches from the GOP event. The also discussed the latest developments in several Iowa court cases: a "debtor's exam" hearing for Derek Wulf, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor; three cases related to Libertarian candidates seeking to appear on the November ballot; and President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and its longtime former pollster, Ann Selzer.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with two independent polls that paint a different picture of Iowa's races for governor and U.S. Senate. They discussed Zach Lahn's first public event since the primary election, two TV ads for Rob Sand's campaign, several stories about GOP Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, post-primary changes in voter registration, two stories related to Libertarian candidates, and news from the campaigns for secretary of agriculture and attorney general. Other topics covered: Iowa angles on several major U.S. Supreme Court rulings, and a few news state laws that took effect on July 1.