On Iowa Politics Podcast

The Gazette
The Gazette
  • 5.0 (1)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Iowa political reporters and columnists meet weekly to discuss the latest news and analyze what's happening in Iowa politics. Think in-depth updates from the Iowa Legislature and the campaign trail. This podcast is recorded and produced by The Gazette in Cedar Rapids and features journalists from news organizations across the state.

  1. 9h ago

    Iowa and the $126M Meta Settlement

    On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa. This week, we discuss Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and the $17.1 billion-dollar multistage settlement with Meta over child safety. Plus, data centers are back in the news yet again. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Hailey Peck, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. Read the articles discussed in this episode: (2:24) Salix City Council denies one-year data center moratorium Sioux City Council broaches data center discussion Tuesday (7:52) Iowa Attorney General: Meta settlement 'a massive win for keeping kids safe' (14:19) Opinion: ‘Save Our Bacon Act’ won’t save rural Iowa (22:27) Opinion: As election approaches, Republicans looking for points from less than ideal hand (33:37) Hailey Peck: Five things I learned from my first Iowa State Fair

  2. Aug 20

    State Fair 2026 Edition

    On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa. With various meats on a stick and butter-drenched ice creams now clogging our arteries, this week we’re going to talk about candidates at the State Fair, the entire Trump administration in Iowa, another community talking data centers, and the world’s most famous vacuum. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal. Read the articles featured in this episode: (2:59) Chuck Grassley receives 'replacement vacuum' for 'Beth' from Sioux City staffer (9:03) In Rock Island, environmental, consumer groups advocate for state data center regulations (14:33) Salix City Council data center meeting delayed due to 'threats' (17:06) State Fair and Trump administration coverage

  3. Aug 20

    The Gazette's Pints & Politics August 2026

    Pints & Politics is a year-round gathering featuring The Gazette and special guests from across the state and party lines. National, state, and local issues are covered, with opportunities to zone in on the latest headlines. Attendees participate in audience polls, submit questions, and enjoy time with some of their favorite journalists, columnists, and guests! This beloved event and lively conversation invite attendees to learn more about the issues impacting their community. The Gazette and Presenting Sponsor Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors hosted this Pints & Politics event on August 13, 2026. This event was held at CSPS in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Special guest was University of Iowa political science professor Tim Hagle. This event’s panel included The Gazette’s Todd Dorman, Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief Tom Barton, and The Gazette's Executive Editor Zack Kucharski, who moderated the session.

  4. Aug 14

    Josh Turek's campaign and the latest from Libertarians

    On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa. With the annual Iowa State Fair underway, this week we’re going to talk about Josh Turek’s campaign, the latest from Libertarians, and Todd Dorman’s latest love letter to the DNC. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. Read the articles featured in this episode: (2:00) NATO Ambassador: Europe's military spending 'biggest foreign policy victory' of Trump's second term https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_24af6d07-8c4e-4404-95ba-80d2c10412a2.html (7:38) Busch Light, NASCAR and politics: Turek takes Senate campaign to Iowa Speedway https://www.thegazette.com/news/elections/josh-turek-takes-us-senate-campaign-to-nascar-race-in-iowa/article_4d57204a-d3f3-4193-9245-08e6509320fe.html (24:16) The Democratic National Committee is drunk with power https://www.thegazette.com/opinion/the-democratic-national-committee-is-drunk-with-power/article_ddf5775a-d9cc-4949-8238-e25a776118fc.html (33:09) Libertarians’ ‘Hail Mary’ ballot move likely another fumble https://www.thegazette.com/opinion/libertarians-hail-mary-ballot-move-likely-another-fumble/article_1c228221-5f74-4cf9-bfdc-b43a8849536a.html

  5. Jul 31

    Iowa Democratic caucuses left out of early vote again

    On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa. This week, we discuss the Iowa courts upholding their decision to leave libertarian candidates off the ballot and the Iowa Democratic caucus being left out of early voting once again. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Southeast Iowa Union Producer Peter Kamp. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Hailey Peck, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

  6. Jul 23

    What to know in Iowa's Gubernatorial Race

    On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa. This week, we discuss the Iowa Libertarians fighting for their name on the ballot, National group spending on the Iowa gubernatorial candidates and continued debate on data centers. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Southeast Iowa Union producer Peter Kamp. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Hailey Peck, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. Read the articles featured in this episode: 2:45 - Iowa Libertarian candidates go to court over ballot access 5:46 - National parties pour millions into Iowa governor campaign 13:46 - Sand derides 'broke' two-party system, calls out opponent for being an 'operative' 18:37 - I don’t like data centers either, but …

  7. Jul 16

    President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against an Iowa pollster

    On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa. As we welcome a new podcaster this week, we’ll also be discussing the latest hearing in President Trump’s lawsuit against the Iowa Poll and Des Moines Register, recent state party fundraising events, and the federal housing bill. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Hailey Peck, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman. Read the articles featured in this episode: (2:12) Iowa lawmaker praises federal housing bill after it becomes law without Trump's signature https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_f409716b-deb2-4efa-9896-43ccc2489d50.html (5:27) Buttigieg in Iowa: Democrats ‘in this moment’ can do it https://www.thegazette.com/news/elections/state/buttigieg-in-iowa-democrats-in-this-moment-can-do-it/article_9a11f663-4363-4f2a-8a91-6e0ccb5eb790.html (10:00) Republican Party of Iowa hosts Lincoln Dinner, honors Kim Reynolds https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_6b8154a4-9040-494a-90a4-420fbf498477.html (12:10) Attorneys argue for, against dismissing Trump's lawsuit against Iowa pollster https://qctimes.com/news/nation-world/government-politics/article_ba9e0a78-997c-4b65-95b5-d508de592cf1.html

  8. Jul 9

    America 250 Edition

    On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa. This week, as we celebrate the semiquincentennial we’ll also discuss RFK Jr.’s overtures to Iowa Libertarians, national Democrats threatening penalties for potential primary rebels, and Sen. Chuck Grassley’s visit to Sioux City. This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon. It features Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. Read the articles featured in this episode: (5:29) Chuck Grassley talks tariffs, data centers, Iran during Sioux City visit https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/business/article_7dc05450-4a91-44be-b004-1c63c2237e80.html (14:21) Dems impose tougher penalties for states, candidates defying party’s presidential nominating calendar https://www.thegazette.com/news/politics/dems-impose-tougher-penalties-for-states-candidates-defying-party-s-presidential-nominating-calendar/article_915d5284-842d-4bc0-9419-f95556aeaeac.html (21:29) RFK Jr. urges another Iowa Libertarian to leave House race, recording shows https://www.thegazette.com/news/elections/rfk-jr-urges-another-iowa-libertarian-to-leave-house-race-recording-shows/article_17d774a6-03c7-4aec-8f11-efb8b92bb9da.html

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Iowa political reporters and columnists meet weekly to discuss the latest news and analyze what's happening in Iowa politics. Think in-depth updates from the Iowa Legislature and the campaign trail. This podcast is recorded and produced by The Gazette in Cedar Rapids and features journalists from news organizations across the state.

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