KHOI's Capitol Week

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with Iowa political reaction to U.S. strikes against Iran, Christina Bohannan's campaign launch in Iowa's first Congressional district, and Ryan Melton leaving the race in the fourth district. They noted the Iowa House effort to call a special legislative session. Next, several stories related to immigration policy: the Trump administration's flip-flop on ICE raids, Attorney General Brenna Bird's stance on National Guard deployments, and where things stand on the state's lawsuit over a county sheriff's Facebook post. They covered several Iowa angles on the "big, beautiful bill" now pending in the U.S. Senate. Finally, they marked Pride Month by discussing five stories affecting LGBTQ Iowans.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with Iowa angles on the horrific political shootings in Minnesota. They discussed Governor Kim Reynolds' unsurprising veto of an eminent domain bill and its aftermath, her surprising veto of a bill the legislature had approved unanimously, and notable bills signed related to pharmacy benefit managers, gender-affirming care, funding for Iowa's 911 system, and public schools. Other topics covered: Zach Wahls' Senate campaign launch, speculation about Senator Joni Ernst's plans, Laura's reporting on the difficult electoral math facing Iowa Democrats, Rob Sand's planned town halls, Donald Trump's military parade, "No Kings" rallies around Iowa, and Nathan Sage on deploying Marines to protests in Los Angeles.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the governor's race, where Republican Eddie Andrews and Democrat Julie Stauch launched campaigns and Democratic front-runner Rob Sand highlighted the statewide economy and a small town's water problems. They covered the U.S. Senate race from several angles: a campaign manager and a GOP challenger for Joni Ernst, another Democrat looking seriously at the race, and warning signs for Ernst in a new poll. Other topics covered: woman who prompted Ernst's infamous town hall comment now running for the legislature, Iowa losing its seat on a powerful DNC committee, the state's DOGE task force looking at county consolidation, and two of Governor Kim Reynolds' recent bill signings.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the Iowa political event that became a major national news story: Senator Joni Ernst's reminder that "we all are going to die." Democrats pounced and J.D. Scholten moved up the announcement date for his own Senate campaign. Other topics covered: GOP talking points on Medicaid cuts, news from the first Congressional district and governor's campaigns, a Democratic candidate in a battleground Iowa House district, a state senator's Parkinson's diagnosis, several new bills signed into law, and two politically salient federal court rulings.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks review the week in Iowa politics, starting with the latest news from the 2026 campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate, and the Democrat who's running for secretary of state. They covered the Iowa impact of the Republican budget reconciliation bill from many angles: cuts to food assistance and Medicaid, access to health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, energy tax credits, family planning services, and higher education funding. They also reviewed seven new bills Governor Kim Reynolds signed, some bills that didn't make it over the finish line, and the Iowa House debut of State Representative Angel Ramirez. Finally, they touched on an important Iowa Supreme Court ruling with roots in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks recapped an extremely busy week in Iowa politics, starting with Randy Feenstra's moves toward running for governor, a hint about Brenna Bird's ambitions, monster fundraising and a high-profile endorsement for Rob Sand, and the GOP legislator who may run for Feenstra's seat in Congress. They spent much of the show on the closing days of the Iowa legislature's 2025 session: what happened with the state budget, a wild Iowa Senate debate on eminent domain, wins and losses for Governor Kim Reynolds, and a deal (finally!) on spending Iowa's opioid settlement funds. They also discussed a federal court ruling that partially blocked the state from enforcing restrictions on addressing gender identity and sexual orientation in grades K-6.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks had loads of 2026 campaign news to discuss. Rob Sand (D) launched his campaign for governor, Randy Feenstra (R) took the first step toward running for governor, Jennifer Konfrst (D) launched her campaign for Congress in the third district, her primary rival Sarah Trone Garriott (D) launched her first digital ad, Ryan Melton (D) is running for Congress in the fourth district, Nate Willems (D) is running for attorney general, and Chris Cournoyer (R) is running for state auditor. Other topics covered: Sand warns of the state's "fiscal time bomb," the USDA approved Governor Kim Reynolds' summer food pilot program, legislative maneuvering over the state budget and eminent domain, and a new leader for Iowa House Democrats.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with campaign news: State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott was the first Democrat to announce in Iowa's third Congressional district, two Republicans ruled out the 2026 governor's race, and the outcome of an Iowa House special election. Other topics covered: Republican drama over the state budget and eminent domain hanging up the legislative session; Bayer's efforts to revive the pesticide immunity bill; new state laws on cell phones in schools, National Guard scholarships, nuisance actions, birth centers, and "accessory dwelling units"; and the House Government Oversight Committee grilling State Auditor Rob Sand and seeking confidential information from a nonprofit advocacy group.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks begin with the legal battle brewing over the Iowa governor's ability to shield documents from public view. On the same day, the governor's office sued the Des Moines Register, and the ACLU of Iowa sued the governor's office. In both cases, the governor claims records can be withheld because of "executive privilege." Other topics covered include an update on a lawsuit Iowa joined last year related to disability protections, new candidate filings for governor and state auditor, town hall meetings featuring Senator Chuck Grassley and Representative Ashley Hinson, and comments from Grassley and Senator Joni Ernst about Russia and Ukraine. They closed with news from the state legislature: a new law on charter school board members, why work on the state budget is behind schedule, the resurrection of a "dead" bill, and final approval for measures related to open records, frivolous lawsuits, and the judicial branch.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks started with news from the 2026 campaign trail: GOP State Senator Mike Bousselot is exploring a gubernatorial campaign, Democrat Nathan Sage is running for U.S. Senate, and Kevin Techau and Travis Terrell are running for U.S. House. They also discussed what makes a credible candidate for federal or statewide office, and 1Q fundraising by Iowa's members of Congress. Other topics covered: tough votes coming for the Congressional delegation, another tense town hall for Senator Chuck Grassley, Governor Kim Reynolds seeking a waiver for Medicaid work requirements, notable bills signed into law, and legislative action on the "Baby Olivia" bill, a new required exam for high school students, constitutional amendments on taxes and child testimony, and open records.