On Iowa Politics Podcast

The Gazette
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  • 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. 4D AGO

    Unpacking controversial bills at the Iowa Capitol

    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 on the On Iowa Politics podcast, we discuss multiple pieces of controversial legislation at the Iowa Capitol, federal immigration enforcement, and a bill to lure the Chicago Bears to Iowa. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: FIRST FROM THE JOURNAL: Sioux City Rep. J.D. Scholten not seeking reelection https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_c7ffa366-f7bc-4e71-8b27-a567e7993c44.html Bill advanced by Iowa lawmakers would require in-person doctor visits for medication abortion https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_72d193d4-bb21-4d62-ae33-d140dacf9538.html Transgender Iowans protest GOP bills https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/love-not-hate-iowans-protest-gop-bills-targeting-transgender-protections-and-parenting-rules/ UI student accused of ‘trying to assault’ lawmaker as she was escorted out of DEI hearing: https://www.thegazette.com/higher-education/ui-student-accused-of-trying-to-assault-lawmaker-as-she-was-escorted-out-of-dei-hearing/ Opinion: Reynolds can’t stop kicking trans Iowans https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/reynolds-cant-stop-kicking-trans-iowans/ Could Iowa become Chicago Bears’ next home? Bill aims to lure NFL team https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-lawmakers-pitch-stadium-incentives-to-lure-chicago-bears-across-state-lines/ This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon.

    52 min

  2. FEB 6

    Congressional Race Fundraising, Straw Polls and Iowa Legislature 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 on the On Iowa Politics podcast, we discuss Congressional race fundraising, caucus intrigue for both parties, news from the Iowa Legislature and more. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: Sioux City resident arrested by DHS booked in Woodbury County jail, scope of operations unclear https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/article_1b4ba8ac-6e9e-45f2-85fd-b65393b34e72.html Iowa could end school vaccination requirements under bill moving forward https://www.thegazette.com/health-care-medicine/iowa-gop-lawmakers-move-to-end-school-vaccine-requirements/ Iowa lawmakers advance bill prohibiting partnerships between public schools and libraries https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_b674a9e0-ffc5-4962-a348-293a2a82d56c.html Ashley Hinson takes massive fundraising edge in Iowa’s open-seat U.S. Senate campaign https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/ashley-hinson-takes-massive-fundraising-edge-in-iowas-open-seat-u-s-senate-campaign/ Cash advantage gives GOP early boost in Iowa congressional races https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/republicans-hold-cash-edge-in-iowa-congressional-races-heading-into-2026/ Sioux City's Chris McGowan touts Trump endorsement in Fourth Congressional District race https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/article_37b56447-4ed0-4ec2-930b-83c640ba4c47.html#tracking[…]op-story See who won the Scott County GOP caucus gubernatorial straw poll https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_e72818ed-1cc2-443d-bcdb-cfdc4595b19d.html Grassroots straw polls signal early unrest in Iowa GOP governor’s race https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/iowa-republican-grassroots-signal-unease-with-feenstra-as-county-parties-hold-unsanctioned-straw-pol/ DNC will allow Iowa Democrats to compete for early date for 2028 caucuses https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/dnc-will-allow-iowa-democrats-to-compete-for-early-date-for-2028-caucuses/ This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Get daily Iowa politics updates by signing up for the free On Iowa Politics Newsletter. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com

    49 min

  3. JAN 30

    On Iowa Politics Podcast: President Donald Trump visits Iowa

    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 on the On Iowa Politics podcast, we discuss President Trump’s visit to Iowa and so much more: 2026 election shakeups, Republican gubernatorial primary forums, a legislative forum and more. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: Iowa Quad-Cities lawmakers look to ramp up energy production in the state: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_9266bc38-061b-4b74-ac9e-0d7f88a97fa2.html Four Republican gubernatorial candidates lay out priorities during Eldridge forum: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_0c1232a3-3fd0-41d8-b594-83e8c242eff8.html Campaign Almanac: Wettach pivots to auditor race; Lundgren halts U.S. House bid: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/campaign-almanac-iowa-democrat-ending-congressional-bid-to-run-for-state-auditor/ Hundreds of Iowans hear Trump’s call for midterm election support: https://www.thegazette.com/federal-government/hundreds-of-iowans-hear-trumps-call-for-midterm-election-support-as-thousands-more-protest-his-appe/ Cold weather, hot anger greet Trump in Clive: https://www.thegazette.com/federal-government/thousands-protest-immigration-enforcement-as-trump-visits-clive/ 5 takeaways from Trump's Iowa visit: Dems made up 'affordability,' no governor endorsement: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_1f005c2c-c847-4f9e-83f3-1001a18c1a40.html This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

    50 min

  4. JAN 23

    The latest from the campaign trail and the Capitol

    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 on the On Iowa Politics podcast, we dig deep into recently published state campaign fundraising reports, everybody’s property tax flags have now been planted, and we hear from our columnists on the Cedar Rapids Schools budget situation. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, 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 mentioned in this episode: Opinion: Past decisions play role in CR schools’ current problems: https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/past-decisions-play-role-in-cr-schools-current-problems/ Opinion: Much is at stake in Cedar Rapids school closure debate: https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/much-is-at-stake-in-school-closure-debate/ Rob Sand raised $9.5M last year in his campaign for Iowa governor: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/rob-sand-raised-9-5m-last-year-without-help-from-family-in-his-campaign-for-iowa-governor/ Eminent domain restrictions on pipeline projects pass Iowa House: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/eminent-domain-restrictions-on-pipeline-projects-pass-iowa-house/ Iowa House Republicans add third property tax plan to GOP debate: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/third-gop-property-tax-proposal-emerges-as-iowa-lawmakers-debate-how-to-cut-tax-bills/

    51 min

  5. JAN 16

    The Start of the 2026 Legislative Session

    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, Gov. Kim Reynolds gives her penultimate — not her last — Condition of the State address, the Iowa Legislature’s annual work has begun, and so much more. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, 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 mentioned in this episode: McGowan touts endorsement from former Gov. Branstad, more than $500k in fundraising since June https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_7d7382a0-ba33-4475-a1c2-84b72fc05a5f.html Quad-Cities community response session organized after ICE shooting in Minnesota: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_aa0990a9-85b6-41c2-8fa5-19d573c54e0d.html Iowa Gov. Reynolds, in final policy push, proposes property tax overhaul: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-gov-reynolds-in-final-policy-push-proposes-property-tax-overhaul/ Iowa Gov. Reynolds proposes $9.7B budget, again drawing from state reserve funds: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-gov-reynolds-proposes-9-7b-budget-again-drawing-from-state-reserve-funds/ Iowa eminent domain, landowner rights bill passes House committee: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/capitol-notebook-iowa-eminent-domain-landowner-rights-bill-passes-house-committee/ This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon.

    43 min

  6. JAN 9

    What's to come in Iowa politics in 2026

    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, the On Iowa Politics podcast team talks about two big topics on the new year’s horizon: Iowa’s gubernatorial campaign and the upcoming legislative session. Plus, the team does a little real estate-watching in Davenport. This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, 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 mentioned in this episode: Iowa Republicans will lose with Randy Feenstra: https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/iowa-republicans-will-lose-with-randy-feenstra/ Legislative Preview Series: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/ Former Arizona GOP candidate Kari Lake buys condo in Davenport: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/kari-lake-a-former-candidate-for-governor-and-senate-in-arizona-buys-condo-in-davenport/ This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon.

    51 min

  7. 12/19/2025

    The biggest Iowa politics stories of 2025

    This week, we look back at the year that was. And what a year it was. 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 episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman. This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: U.S. Army identifies Iowa Guard soldiers killed in Syria: https://www.thegazette.com/federal-government/u-s-army-identifies-iowa-guard-soldiers-killed-in-syria/ Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announces she will not seek a third term: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-gov-kim-reynolds-announces-she-will-not-seek-a-third-term/ Iowa’s Ernst makes it official, will not seek re-election to third U.S. Senate term: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/iowas-ernst-makes-it-official-will-not-seek-re-election-to-third-u-s-senate-term/ Reynolds declares ‘Lutheran Services in Iowa Day’ as layoffs, federal interference imperil organization: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_1287af14-fec6-11ef-9ae9-cb0f2001986f.html Sioux City refugee family starting over, again, after apartment fire: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_1287af14-fec6-11ef-9ae9-cb0f2001986f.html Indictment says Des Moines superintendent falsely claimed to be U.S. citizen: https://www.thegazette.com/crime-courts/indictment-says-des-moines-superintendent-falsely-claimed-to-be-u-s-citizen/ Recount unlikely in C.R. schools’ narrowly failed bond referendum: https://www.thegazette.com/k/recount-unlikely-in-c-r-schools-narrowly-failed-bond-referendum/ Opinion: Tawana Grover has to go: https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/tawana-grover-has-to-go/ This Iowa county made the biggest swing to Republican in the last 12 years. Here’s what voters there said is the reason: a href="https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/this-iowa-county-made-the-biggest-swing-to-republican-in-the-last-12-years-heres-what-voters-there/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    53 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    Democrats are divided over the caucuses

    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, Iowa Democrats are divided over the caucuses, yet another multi-candidate event without Randy Feenstra, the Iowa Supreme Court sides with Rob Sand, and more. Read the articles mentioned in this episode: Iowa Supreme Court rules state auditor's office can represent itself in Davenport case: https://qctimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_0a490601-2683-42d4-99ee-c1e372078701.html  Feenstra misses another Iowa GOP forum, gets criticized by Republicans and Dems: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_043d9e82-ee33-4e4b-90ce-4a58d6ba8307.html  Party survey shows Iowa Democrats split on whether to 'go rogue' in 2028 nominating process: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_86f9a365-cf16-4739-87f9-5854a318994f.html  Wendy Larson wins special election for Iowa House District 7: https://siouxcityjournal.com/search/#:~:text=Wendy%20Larson%20wins%20special%20election%20for%20Iowa%20House%20District%207  National Democrats set sights on Iowa Legislature in 2026: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/campaign-almanac-national-democrats-add-iowa-house-senate-to-2026-target-map/  This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon. Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

    45 min
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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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