Bleeding Heartland

13/01/2025

Wally Taylor: For the first time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has overruled the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on the state’s impaired waters list.

Wally Taylor: For the first time, the federal agency overruled the Iowa DNR's submission of the state’s impaired waters list.

13/01/2025

Aime Wichtendahl, who will be sworn in Monday as Iowa's first transgender state lawmaker, spoke to Laura Belin about the 2024 elections and her plans for work in the legislature.

Laura Belin spoke to Aime Wichtendahl, Iowa's first trans legislator, about the 2024 elections and plans for work in the state House.

12/01/2025

For months, Senator Chuck Grassley publicized an FBI informant's explosive claims about the Bidens.

He's had nothing to say since that source pleaded guilty to making it all up.

For months, Grassley publicized an FBI informant's explosive claims. He's had nothing to say since that source admitted to making it all up.

11/01/2025

Cami Koons: Iowa counties can have their own review on proposed animal feeding operation permits if they adopt a construction evaluation resolution and submit it to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources by the end of January each year.

But not all counties are taking this step, giving up the ability to have a say in the permitting process.

Cami Koons covers the process that allows Iowa counties to have their own review on proposed animal feeding operation permits.

10/01/2025

Bruce Lear: "Classical education" attempts to indoctrinate students by teaching ideas and culture from just one part of the world.

09/01/2025

The advocacy group FIRE is defending longtime Iowa Poll director Ann Selzer, who now faces two frivolous lawsuits under Iowa's consumer fraud statute.

The group said in a statement, “Donald Trump is abusing the legal system to punish speech he dislikes."

FIRE will defend the pollster pro bono, saying Donald Trump "is abusing the legal system to punish speech he dislikes."

09/01/2025

Rachel Bruns recaps what changed in Iowa's maternal health policies last year, and what should happen to improve access to care in 2025.

08/01/2025

Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discussed the work of the new Congress, a GOP challenger's message to Senator Joni Ernst, the Iowa Democratic Party's leadership election, a Trump ally leaving a University of Iowa advisory board, and more on "KHOI's Capitol Week."

Jan. 6 edition of "KHOI's Capitol Week"

07/01/2025

Laura Belin: One of Trump's leading MAGA warriors stepped away from a University of Iowa alumni advisory board late last year.

Mike Davis said he made the decision on his own. The move followed some complaints about his social media posts.

Laura Belin: Mike Davis said he "decided on my own to step down" from the political science department's alumni advisory board.

07/01/2025

Laura Belin: One of Trump's leading MAGA warriors stepped away from a University of Iowa alumni advisory board late last year.

Mike Davis said he made the decision on his own. The move followed some complaints about his inflammatory social media posts.

Laura Belin: Mike Davis said he "decided on my own to step down" from the political science department's alumni advisory board.

07/01/2025

Laura Belin covers the latest news from Iowa Senate district 35, where voters will elect a successor to Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer later this month.

Katie Whittington won a three-way contest for the GOP nomination, while Mike Zimmer was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

06/01/2025

Randy Evans: For several years, I had been promising myself, and Titus Wagler, that I would drop by “soon” for coffee and conversation.

06/01/2025

Jason Benell: Without these workers, our economy doesn’t get off the ground. Without them, generations of children will be more likely to struggle academically. Without them, our communities will become more fragile and more disconnected as our children are kept isolated from one another and one another’s culture.

Jason Benell: Without child care workers, our economy doesn’t get off the ground and generations of children will struggle academically.

05/01/2025

Kurt Meyer: For many Iowans, myself included, Jimmy Carter’s recent death brings forth a fresh wave of memories.

05/01/2025

“You suck, Joni! That’s just the nicest way I can summarize how we’re all feeling about your reign so far,” says Joshua Smith in the first digital ad promoting his Republican campaign for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat.

Laura Belin analyzes the opening salvo from Joshua Smith, who plans to run against Joni Ernst in Iowa's 2026 GOP primary.

04/01/2025

Phil Montag explores the big picture on fundraising and spending in the 2024 Iowa House races, with a focus on the ten closest contests.

Phil Montag explores the big picture on fundraising and spending in the Iowa House races, with a focus on the ten closest contests.

04/01/2025

In a message to members of the Iowa Democratic Party's governing body, Rob Sand defended progress made under Rita Hart's leadership and pushed back against criticism of the party's performance in the 2024 election cycle.

Sand credited Hart with getting the Iowa Democratic Party out of debt and fully staffed, and argued she can build on that progress.

03/01/2025

Julie Russell-Steuart: Democrats in Iowa need more self-determination at this juncture, not less. Tim Winter would bring a wealth of structural and rural organizing experience to the job at a critical time.

Julie Russell-Steuart: Tim Winter would bring a wealth of structural and rural organizing experience to the party at a critical time.