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.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss Democratic National Convention highlights and news with an Iowa angle, including the delegate who voted "present" instead of for Kamala Harris, and the OB/GYN who joined a panel discussion about abortion and rural health care. Other topics covered: the Republican who endorsed the Democratic candidate in IA-04, campaign developments in IA-03, more state legislative races to watch, a new state child care portal, and a South Dakota court ruling that could affect a CO2 pipeline project in Iowa.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the end of a legal challenge to Iowa's near-total abortion ban, and Governor Kim Reynolds picking a fight with the U.S. Department of Agriculture over federal funds for feeding kids over the summer. Other topics discussed include the presidential tickets that will appear on Iowa's ballot, a new state policy on wheelchair repairs, Democratic spending on tv ads in two of Iowa's Congressional districts, the record number of LGBTQ people running for the Iowa legislature, and U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks' support for CO2 pipelines and energy tax credits she voted against.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks cover Iowa reaction to Vice President Kamala Harris selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Other topics discussed: recent developments in federal lawsuits challenging two state laws, tv ads for candidates in Iowa's first and third Congressional districts, Republican efforts to knock Libertarian candidates off the ballot, state waivers for hazardous work for teens, resources available to trans kids, Olympic athletes with Iowa ties, and J.D. Scholten's cap headed to Cooperstown.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks cover the week in Iowa politics, starting with the the Harris/Trump race in Iowa and weekend fundraisers for Attorney General Brenna Bird and U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson. They also caught up on some Congressional action this summer and Senator Chuck Grassley's latest comments on Secret Service failures. Other topics covered include a Libertarian who may run for U.S. Senate in 2026, Olympic athletes with Iowa connections, GOP comments on the Olympic boxing controversy, and news about an Iowan who filed an important transgender rights lawsuit five years ago.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks cover Iowa's top political news stories. They began with the near-total abortion ban now being enforced: details on the law's restrictions and vague exceptions, and how it will affect pregnant Iowans and health care providers. Other topics discussed include political reaction to the abortion ban, remarks by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and State Auditor Rob Sand at a big Democratic fundraiser, Libertarian candidates filing in three Iowa Congressional districts, the latest news related to Iowa's school voucher program, and Governor Kim Reynolds tapping American Rescue Plan funds for victim assistance programs.