Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the abrupt departure of Iowa Senate Commerce Committee chair Waylon Brown, weeks after his hard-fought primary win. Other topics covered include a new leadership role for U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a recap of some state laws that took effect this month, an update on flood cleanup in northwest Iowa, and State Representative J.D. Scholten stepping back on the mound.

Laura Belin and Dennis Hart dig into the Iowa Supreme Court's most important ruling of the year and the fallout from the decision, which will allow the state to enforce a near-total abortion ban. Other topics covered include the Iowa Utilities Board's approval of a proposed carbon pipeline, the state's flood response, reaction to the first Joe Biden/Donald Trump debate, and Governor Kim Reynolds going to bat for small businesses fined for child labor violations. 

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks lead with the state's response to massive flooding across northwest Iowa, in some areas surpassing 1993 levels. Other topics discussed: Attorney General Brenna Bird launches a cold case unit and joins another legal effort to help Donald Trump, beverage makers file federal lawsuit over Iowa law on hemp consumables, a national Democratic group targets seven Iowa House and Senate races, and notable findings from the latest Iowa Poll by Selzer & Co for the Des Moines Register and Mediacom.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks start with news from the federal courts related to Iowa's Texas-like immigration law and last year's school book ban and "don't say gay/trans" teaching restrictions. Other topics discussed include a new Des Moines Register Iowa Poll on the presidential race, Libertarian candidates running in three of Iowa's Congressional districts, and surprising comments from U.S. Senator Joni Ernst about Donald Trump's stance toward Ukraine.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the noteworthy results from Iowa's June 4 primary elections and what they mean for November's races for Congress and the Iowa legislature. Other topics discussed include the candidate who has a good chance of becoming Iowa's first transgender state lawmaker, and a federal court hearing on two lawsuits challenging a new immigration law, which makes "illegal re-entry" a state crime.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the Iowa political reaction to former President Donald Trump's conviction in New York City and preview more than a dozen noteworthy Republican or Democratic races ahead of the June 4 primary. Other topics covered include Attorney General Brenna Bird's reversal on reimbursing sexual assault victims for emergency contraception costs, and state policy on summer meals for kids who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches.

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss Governor Kim Reynolds' final bill signings for 2024 and the one bill she vetoed. Other topics covered include: new funding for charter schools and projects to combat the opioid epidemic, new information on Attorney General Brenna Bird's trip to attend Donald Trump's criminal trial, new research on how Iowa's school voucher policy affected private school tuition, and a look at the June 4 primaries in Iowa's U.S. House districts.

Laura Belin and George A. Clark discuss the two lawsuits filed to block Iowa's new immigration law, as well as the multi-state lawsuit the state joined to challenge the Biden administration's latest Title IX rule. Other topics covered include Attorney General Brenna Bird's surprise appearance at Donald Trump's criminal trial, new state laws that particularly affect mothers, and good news/bad news related to the heavy rain across Iowa this spring.

Laura Belin and Mike Murphy discuss a role reversal, as the federal government is poised to sue Iowa over a new immigration law. (Attorney General Brenna Bird has joined numerous multi-state lawsuits challenging Biden administration policies.) Other topics covered include important bills Governor Kim Reynolds signed last week, Iowa's unsuccessful bid for a major federal grant, and a state Supreme Court ruling with a connection to Laura.

Laura Belin talks with Mike Murphy about some policies added to budget bills in the final days of the Iowa legislature's 2024 session, as well as notable bills that didn't make it to the governor's desk. (Some may return next year.) Other topics covered include a look at fundraising in Iowa's four U.S. House races, and environmental groups petitioning the U.S. EPA to step in to protect Iowans' drinking water.