Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss Ann Selzer's final Iowa Poll for the Des Moines Register, which shocked the political world. Other topics covered: a federal court ruling allowing the state to proceed with a last-minute effort to find non-citizens on the voter rolls, an update on Iowa's early vote numbers, recent news from the four Congressional campaigns, and Iowa House and Senate races to watch on November 5. Laura and Spencer will record two bonus episodes this week: a live show on election night and a first look at Iowa's election results on November 6.

Laura Belin and Dr. Bob Leonard discuss the Iowa Secretary of State's last-minute directive telling county auditors to challenge ballots from "self-reported" non-citizens. (Some people on the secret list are in fact naturalized citizens.) Meanwhile, the ACLU of Iowa warned about mass challenges to voter registrations in some counties. Other topics covered include early voting numbers, the only debate between the first Congressional district contenders, a Republican candidate who didn't follow his own ticket-splitting advice, and some Iowa Senate races to watch.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss findings from the investigation into the deadly mass shooting at Perry High School in January. Other topics covered: early voting numbers so far, Congressional candidate fundraising, news from the toss-up races in Iowa's first and third districts, details on the Davenport residence of Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the second Congressional district debate, how Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May has decided big cases, projections of declining state revenues, and new court filings in lawsuits challenging Iowa's school book ban and "don't say gay or trans" law.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks cover the options and requirements for voting before election day, and how both major parties are pushing early GOTV. Other topics covered: a debate, a poll, and new TV ads in Iowa's two toss-up Congressional races; attorney ratings for judges up for retention on the November ballot; a challenge to federal nursing home staffing requirements; Iowa Supreme Court arguments in a CO2 pipeline case; how school vouchers are affecting public and private schools; and for Indigenous People's Day, a brief summary of the 1842 Sauk and Fox Treaty.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks dive into the state of play in Iowa's four U.S. House races: two toss-ups (the first and third Congressional districts), and two considered safe for Republicans (the second and fourth districts). They also share their VP debate takeaways and discuss Governor Kim Reynolds' search for a new lieutenant governor, recent trade mission to India, and opposition to legalizing marijuana. Other topics covered: Laura asked State Auditor Rob Sand about his timeline for announcing his 2026 plans, and the DOT rejected many local government requests for speed cameras.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the races in Iowa's first and third Congressional districts and Laura's exclusive reporting on how U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has used official resources to boost her re-election prospects. Also covered: an Iowa National Guard deployment to North Carolina, Rep. Randy Feenstra's vote against funding the government, Sen. Chuck Grassley's comments on the Secret Service, approval ratings for Iowa's governor, auditor, and attorney general, appeals court arguments over Iowa's immigration law, a new DEI review at Iowa's state universities, and the first woman admitted to the bar in Iowa—and the United States.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discussed new Iowa Poll findings on abortion, immigration, and the presidential and VP candidates. One of the co-chairs of Nikki Haley's Iowa caucus campaign became the first prominent Iowa Republican to endorse Kamala Harris. Other topics covered include: news from the competitive U.S. House races, concerns about slow mail delivery affecting Iowa voters, Iowa's senators opposing a bill to protect IVF, Laura's investigative reporting related to State Treasurer Roby Smith, a state audit on Iowa nursing home inspections, and why an Iowa lawmaker's jersey is now at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the second apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump and the first published Iowa Poll measuring support for Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Other topics covered: an Iowa Supreme Court ruling on Libertarians running for Congress, a shady effort to recruit pro-Trump candidates to split the vote in battleground U.S. House races, more questions about where U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks lives, proposed constitutional amendments that will appear on Iowa's ballot, and four lawsuits challenging a state permit for a CO2 pipeline.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg's surprising departure, the latest news on three Libertarian candidates' fight to get back on the ballot, and the Iowa GOP's planned early voting push. Also covered: Democratic groups are making a play for Iowa's first Congressional district, grants for new charter schools, State Auditor Rob Sand's recent town hall in Knoxville, a county attorney withholding the incident report on the mass shooting at Perry High School, and more Paralympic medals for Iowa athletes.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss what Iowans need to know (and need to bring with them) if they plan to vote early or on election day. Republicans on a state panel voted three Libertarian Congressional candidates off the ballot, setting up a court challenge on a tight timeline. Other topics covered: a seventh presidential candidate appeared on the Iowa ballot; a conservative Republican stood by his endorsement of Democrat Ryan Melton in IA-04; an independent candidate qualified for the ballot in IA-02, a state commission issued a permit for a controversial CO2 pipeline, and Democrats highlighted new data on staff cuts at Iowa's Area Education Agencies. Finally, an Iowa athlete won a gold medal at the Paralympics.