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.
Jun 11, 2024•30 min•Ep. 176
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.
Jun 04, 2024•30 min•Ep. 175
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.
May 21, 2024•30 min•Ep. 174
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.
May 14, 2024•30 min•Ep. 173
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.
May 07, 2024•30 min•Ep. 172
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.
Apr 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 171
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart cover last week's happenings in the Iowa legislature, which adjourned for the year at 4:23 am on Saturday, April 20. They also discuss highlights from the 2024 legislative session and the latest news on a federal lawsuit over one of last year's major education laws. Finally, Laura and Dennis reminisce about their three-plus years working together, as Dennis steps back from co-hosting this show. Laura will be back on KHOI next Monday evening.
Apr 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 170
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discuss the Iowa Supreme Court's oral arguments on whether to allow the state to enforce a near-total abortion ban. The rest of the show focuses on legislative news: the state House or Senate gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment and bills on traffic cameras, arming school staff, food labeling, and more. Laura and Dennis also talked about some important bills Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law last week.
Apr 16, 2024•30 min•Ep. 169
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discuss another busy week in the Iowa legislature, as the 2024 session moves into its final weeks. Topics discussed include administrative rules linked to Iowa's near-total abortion ban (which is still blocked by court order), House Republicans hoping to revisit funding for Area Education Agencies, and bills approved on hemp consumables, food labeling, immunity for pesticide manufacturers, postpartum Medicaid coverage, and more.
Apr 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 168
No fake April Fool's stories here: Laura Belin and Dennis Hart deliver real news from the Iowa statehouse, marked by final action to overhaul Area Education Agencies and movement for proposals on eminent domain, a constitutional amendment on taxes, Gadsden flag license plates, and more. Also in the mix: a rare House Oversight Committee meeting, and State Auditor Rob Sand spars with Attorney General Brenna Bird.
Apr 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 167
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart dig in on the biggest political story from last week: the state Senate and House passing competing versions of bills to overhaul Iowa's Area Education Agencies. The changes could impact tens of thousands of children, and the controversy has generated massive public interest. Laura and Dennis also discussed other notable legislative news, findings from the Iowa Poll for the Des Moines Register and Mediacom, and earmarks secured by Iowa's members of Congress.
Mar 26, 2024•30 min•Ep. 166
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discuss some breaking news—the Iowa Senate approved a plan to overhaul Area Education Agencies—and that bill's prospects in the Iowa House. They spent most of the program sorting through the fallout from last week's "funnel" deadline for bills not related to taxes or spending. Which important proposals remain alive? Which ones appear to be out of contention? And what the heck is the "unfinished business" calendar, where leaders have parked dozens of bills that didn't ...
Mar 19, 2024•30 min•Ep. 165
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart review the week in Iowa politics, including three very rare occurrences in the state legislature: one bill failed to gain a majority on the House floor, another was pulled in the middle of House debate, and a third (this one high-profile) was pulled from the Senate calendar with no explanation. Other topics covered include a slew of bills that did gain approval in the House or Senate, and notable findings from the latest Iowa Poll by Selzer & Co for the Des Moines...
Mar 12, 2024•30 min•Ep. 164
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discuss another busy week in the legislature, including a half-dozen education-related bills approved in the Iowa House and other controversial measures passed mostly along party lines. Other topics discussed: the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Donald Trump's ballot access, an Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decision related to Iowa's ban on school mask mandates, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley's defense of his role in publicizing allegations against the Biden family ...
Mar 05, 2024•30 min•Ep. 163
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discuss important bills approved by either the Iowa House or Senate during the first week of floor debate in both chambers. Other topics covered include a public hearing on the House Republican proposal to change Iowa's Area Education Agencies, an Iowa Supreme Court ruling related to a lawsuit challenging a 2021 election law, and the latest happenings in litigation over Iowa's near-total abortion ban (now blocked by court order).
Feb 27, 2024•30 min•Ep. 162
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart recap the Iowa legislature's extremely busy "funnel week," discussing a few dozen bills that either survived the first major deadline in the state House or Senate, or landed on the scrap heap. They also covered some of what the Iowans in Congress were up to last week.
Feb 20, 2024•30 min•Ep. 161
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart cover the latest news related to Donald Trump's legal entanglements, Iowa Congressional votes on foreign aid, and more than 20 bills advancing in the Iowa legislature ahead of a February 16 deadline. They also discussed Laura's exclusive reporting on Iowa State University's pricey new airplane.
Feb 13, 2024•30 min•Ep. 160
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discuss the latest Iowa legislative happenings, including high drama surrounding bills on gender identity and Governor Kim Reynolds' proposal to overhaul Iowa's Area Education Agencies. Other topics covered include new tax cut plans, border politics, Iowa Congressional candidate fundraising, and the passing of former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.
Feb 06, 2024•30 min•Ep. 159
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discussed fifteen bills pending in the Iowa legislature, on topics including the death penalty, ballot access for presidential candidates, gender identity, health care access, education, and nursing homes. Also covered: Attorney General Brenna Bird's year of suing the Biden administration, and State Auditor Rob Sand's review of property taxes. Finally, Laura shared the news that the Iowa House agreed to give her credentials, days after she filed a federal lawsuit over...
Jan 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 158
Dennis Hart and Laura Belin analyzed the Iowa GOP caucus results, discussed abortion politics on the anniversary of Roe v Wade, and spent most of this episode on Iowa legislative news. Laura also explained why the Institute for Free Speech had recently filed a federal lawsuit on her behalf, over the Iowa House chief clerk's refusal to grant her press credentials.
Jan 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 157
Dennis Hart and Laura Belin recorded live early on January 16 to recap the results from the previous night's Iowa caucuses. They also discussed the early days of the Iowa legislature's 2024 session, including highlights from speeches by Governor Kim Reynolds and Chief Justice Susan Christensen. Rounding out the episode: federal court rulings on Iowa laws and some legislative campaign news.
Jan 17, 2024•50 min•Ep. 156
Dennis Hart and Laura Belin recorded live on January 15, as the Iowa caucuses were ongoing. Part of the episode covered the last week of presidential candidate visits, town halls, and debates. They also discussed the early days of the Iowa legislature's 2024 session and highlights from Governor Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address.
Jan 16, 2024•30 min•Ep. 155
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart recorded live on the first day of the Iowa legislature's 2024 session. They began by discussing the Perry High School tragedy of January 4, Iowa's deadliest school shooting. Since this show happened exactly one week before the Iowa caucuses, much of the episode covered news about the Republican presidential candidates.
Jan 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 154
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart recorded live on New Year's Day 2024. They started with a close look at a federal court order blocking Iowa from enforcing wide-ranging school book bans and restrictions on teaching about gender identity or sexual orientation in grades K-6. They also covered some presidential candidate visits to Iowa and previewed the new legislative session, set to begin on January 8.
Jan 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 153
