Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discuss President Jimmy Carter's legacy and how his 1976 campaign changed the Iowa caucuses. Other topics covered: former Governor Tom Vilsack's impending return to Iowa, President Biden's veto of a bill that would have added a permanent federal judge in Iowa, U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra's priorities for the next Congress, a possible spike in Iowans' health insurance premiums after 2025, a rise in homelessness and the city of Des Moines' controversial anti-camping ordinance, the long-term warming trend in Des Moines, and a Democratic candidate for an Iowa Senate special election. Laura and Dennis wrapped up the show with their thoughts about the biggest stories from the Iowa legislature's 2024 session, the most and least surprising Iowa politics news of the year, and their top takeaways from the 2024 elections.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the top Iowa politics stories from the week, starting with Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and its longtime pollster, Ann Selzer. They also talked about how the Iowans voted on last-minute efforts to keep the federal government open and a Social Security bill, which divided the Iowa delegation in an unusual way. Other topics discussed: Iowa's prospects for keeping four Congressional districts, the first human case of bird flu announced, a date for the special election to replace Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer, a controversy over a state audit of the Judicial Branch, oral arguments at the Iowa Supreme Court related to the state's English-only law, and how the judicial branch has changed juvenile justice policies to address racial disparities.

Iowa finally has a new lieutenant governor. Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks talk about Chris Cournoyer's background and work in the Iowa Senate, what was and wasn't surprising about Governor Kim Reynolds' choice, political reaction to the new LG, and what the pick signals about the 2026 governor's race. Other topics covered: Reynolds backs using the National Guard to assist with deportations, pathogenic avian influenza detected in five Iowa counties, state revenue projected to drop, state officials cancel planned Satanic event at the capitol, Attorney General Brenna Bird comments on a state constitutional amendment and January 6 pardons, an FBI informant admits he fabricated claims Senator Chuck Grassley publicized, Iowa Supreme Court issues important ruling on wage discrimination, and the legacy of longtime U.S. Representative Jim Leach, who passed away last week.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the intense pressure campaign U.S. Senator Joni Ernst is facing from MAGA Republicans. Joshua Smith has announced plans to run against Ernst in the 2026 GOP primary, and conservative influencers have floated other possible challengers. Also covered: comments from other Iowa politicians about Trump's picks, fewer women elected to the Iowa legislature in 2024, more fallout from the Secretary of State's efforts to find "non-citizen" voters, and an award for Governor Kim Reynolds. 

Iowa's elections were certified on December 2, and Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the shift to Donald Trump, GOP gains in early voting, final results from the last races to be recounted, and the seven Iowa legislators elected in districts that voted the other way for president. Other topics discussed: counties with the highest and lowest turnout, dozens of ballots rejected, new leadership on some Iowa Senate committees, Senator Chuck Grassley on Trump's picks for FBI director and secretary of agriculture, Senator Joni Ernst floats spending cuts, and Governor Kim Reynolds names a former legislator (whom she helped defeat) as a District Court judge.

It's two recounts down and two to go in Iowa's very close 2024 elections. Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the state of play and how Republicans expanded their Iowa Senate majority to 35-15. Other topics covered: newsworthy changes to Iowa House committees, a new Iowa Senate Democratic leader, Senator Joni Ernst's bet on the Trump administration's DOGE effort, Matt Whitaker's nomination as U.S. ambassador to NATO, reaction to possible mass deportations, the USDA rejecting two waiver requests from Iowa, and a big drop in abortions performed shortly after Iowa's near-total ban took effect.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the four Iowa elections that are headed for recounts, how Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst will approach Donald Trump's controversial cabinet picks, and unsuccessful bids by Ernst and Mariannette Miller-Meeks for GOP leadership roles in the new Congress. Other topics discussed: challenged ballots in some counties, Ann Selzer's decision to stop polling elections, and Laura's reporting on Democratic losses in Iowa's mid-sized cities, which were solid blue territory for decades.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks explore many aspects of the latest red wave in Iowa, starting with Donald Trump's biggest win yet and the warning signs for Democrats. Also covered: what went wrong with Selzer's final Iowa Poll for the Des Moines Register, how Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn survived strong challenges in the first and third Congressional districts, future prospects for Rep. Ashley Hinson and Senator Joni Ernst, and notable results from the state legislative races—including which candidates outperformed their own party's presidential candidate.

Six of the last eight general elections have been Republican landslides in Iowa. Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks recap the November 5 results: how Donald Trump improved on his past performance, the outcome in all four Congressional races, and the GOP gains in the Iowa House and Senate. Other topics covered: Iowa's new constitutional amendments, judicial retention votes, and what Senator Chuck Grassley plans to prioritize as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks were on the air live from 10:00 pm to 10:30 pm Central to talk about the Iowa results so far. They will record another live show at noon Central on Wednesday, November 6. It's already clear that Donald Trump carried Iowa by a large margin, and Republicans will have net gains of Iowa House and Senate seats.