In this episode of Southeast Iowa Today, John Bain covers the Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting at the Emergency Management Building in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. As the first Thursday of the month, department heads were on hand to report on the prior month’s activities. Agenda highlights included discussion of Deputy Carlos Lopez; Court Order CVEQ 006990 authorizing reimbursement of $30,540 in attorney fees from the county attorney’s budget; the board’s ongoing planning for the transition after Planning & Zoning Director Joe Buffington’s retirement around October 1; and continued research into data centers. The meeting took place August 6, 2026.

On this episode of Southeast Iowa Today, host John Bain connects with Iowa Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Zach Lahn. As Zach travels the Great State of Iowa aboard his campaign bus, the two speak via modern technology en route to his next stop. Their conversation covers Putting Iowa First, Make Iowa Healthy Again, and the misleading Democrat candidate Rob Sand. Recorded August 5, 2026.

On this episode of Southeast Iowa Today, John Bain covers the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors meeting, which as usual featured a full agenda. Key items included discussion and consideration of a settlement in the pending legal claims of Heisel versus Jefferson County, et al., and a request for payment by Dr. Amanda Moreno.

On the recommendation of the County’s insurance company, the County settled with former ambulance employee Judy Heisel for $55,000—the amount reached in mediation on July 29, 2026. Taxpayers are responsible for the $3,000 insurance deductible. Discussion with Dr. Moreno’s attorney followed; the Supervisors tabled the matter for a future conversation. Supervisor Lee Dimmitt sat down with John Bain to discuss these topics and other matters pertaining to Jefferson County. It all happened on August 3, 2026.

On this episode of Southeast Iowa Today, John Bain sits down with Dani Murphy, founder of National Homesteader’s Day. Together with her daughter Tatum, Dani owns Preppin Mama, a local shop on the square in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. What began as a personal journey for their family—to reconnect with slower living, real food, and the practical skills once passed from generation to generation—grew into something much larger. In this conversation, Dani shares how she turned that passion, and the widespread interest she discovered across the country, into a national holiday. Join us as we explore the story behind National Homesteader’s Day and look ahead to its first celebration, set for August 15, 2026, in Central Park in Mount Pleasant.

On this episode of Southeast Iowa Today John Bain attends the Henry County Iowa Board of Supervisors Meeting at the Emergency Management Building in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The meeting started promptly at 6 PM. A solid group of people showed up. Plenty of good information was shared, one highlighted and important item: the Supervisors announced that next week’s meeting on August 6 will include discussion and approval of reimbursing Deputy Carlos Lopez for his attorney fees. It all happened July 30, 2026.

Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act is the largest source of federal funding for child welfare, foster care, and adoption assistance in the United States. Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), it functions as an uncapped, open-ended entitlement program that reimburses states, territories, and tribes for a percentage of eligible expenses with no spending limit. In this episode of Southeast Iowa Today, host John Bain speaks with three parents who say they have been harmed by the child welfare system that Title IV-E helps finance. Their stories are shared here.

On this special VIDEO episode of Southeast Iowa Today, host John Bain joins Alisha McFadden and her team from Eternal Paranormal for a full-night investigation inside a historic building in Keithsburg, Illinois. Once a hotel and brothel, and later a Masonic Temple, the location is rich with history — and reportedly, spirits. What unfolds is captured in real time as the team attempts to make contact. Voices, footsteps, shadows, and unexplained activity are all documented as the investigation intensifies. You won’t want to miss what happens. Recorded on location July 17, 2026.

On the latest Southeast Iowa Today, host John Bain delivers a raw, unfiltered conversation with Independent Candidate for Iowa’s First District, Michael Bridgford. Bridgford doesn’t hold back — sharing powerful insights on The Great Exhaustion, The Manufactured Divide, The Deciding Vote, and the hard truths that are shaping our future. John asks the tough, thought-provoking questions no one else is asking — cutting through the noise with honesty and depth. Recorded July 21, 2026 — This is one episode you don’t want to miss.

On this VIDEO episode of Southeast Iowa Today, John Bain attends the Eldridge City Council meeting where long-standing questions about the future of fire protection and emergency medical services finally came to a head. After months of discussion—and repeated coverage on the podcast—the council unanimously voted to hire a new Fire Chief and move forward with the logistics of the transition, including construction of a second-story addition to the fire station. The decision prompted several members of the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Company and some attending residents to leave the meeting. Their body language suggested clear disappointment with the outcome. It all happened July 20, 2026.

On this VIDEO episode of Southeast Iowa Today John Bain is back at Your Choice Family Restaurant in Wayland, Iowa, for the Southeast Iowa Today with John Bain Cruise-In! It was a hot but great night with 27 cool rides on display in the 93-degree temperature with neat people, great food, neat door prizes and awesome music. It all happened July 14, 2026.