KHOI's Capitol Week

Laura Belin, Spencer Dirks
  • 5.0 (9)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Laura Belin, author of the blog Bleeding Heartland, updates you on developments in Iowa government, hosted by KHOI’s newsman Dennis Hart. An in-depth look at each week’s legislative actions, the governor, public agencies, and important events, as lawmakers act on matters that affect you and your family.

  1. 4D AGO

    SNAP and shutdown news, Feenstra for governor, pro-Bird ad and more

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news related to the federal government shutdown: federal food assistance (SNAP benefits) delayed, responses from Governor Kim Reynolds and leading Democratic politicians, rising costs for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, and potential disruption for five small Iowa airports. They discussed several stories related to trade and Donald Trump's tariffs. Other topics covered: Randy Feenstra's debut as a candidate for governor, labor union endorsements for some Democratic candidates, Trump's endorsement of Mariannette Miller-Meeks, another Republican running for Congress in the fourth district, a dark money group's TV ad praising Attorney General Brenna Bird, and a dispute over campaign signs on corporate property, which may foreshadow a First Amendment lawsuit.

    30 min

  2. OCT 28

    News on the Iowa governor's race, and more

    Laura Belin and original co-host Dennis Hart were together for the 250th edition of "KHOI's Capitol Week." They began with Iowa's 2026 governor's race: Democrat Rob Sand's 100 town halls, Democrat Julie Stauch's "interview sessions," Republican Randy Feenstra's comments on eminent domain, and recent TV interviews featuring the other three GOP candidates (Eddie Andrews, Brad Sherman, and Adam Steen). Other topics covered: what documents Iowans need to vote in next week's local and school elections, the Democratic nominee for an upcoming Iowa Senate special election, Iowans in Congress against extending health insurance subsidies, Governor Kim Reynolds' comments about the state's main public pension system, a review of the state's education licensing process, a legal challenge to a new law on county elections, an Appeals Court ruling on a state immigration law, Attorney General Brenna Bird on birthright citizenship, and news about teachers disciplined or fired over social media posts about Charlie Kirk.

    30 min

  3. OCT 21

    Norris out, 3Q fundraising, No Kings, state revenues falling

    Laura Belin and Dennis Hart (filling in for Spencer Dirks) began with the end of Jackie Norris' campaign for U.S. Senate, and a review of third-quarter fundraising for the remaining Democrats and Republicans running for Senate. They discussed highlights and a few surprises from fundraising reports for candidates in the four U.S. House districts. Also covered: most Iowa Democrats running for Congress dodged a reporter's question about Hakeem Jeffries, Iowa set to stay first on the GOP's 2028 presidential calendar, thoughts on the No Kings protests, and state revenues continuing on a downward trend.

    30 min

  4. OCT 14

    E-Verify, 2026 polls, a Libertarian for Senate, Grassley on "Arctic Frost," RIP Claire Celsi

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with more fallout from ICE detaining the superintendent of Iowa's largest school district: Governor Kim Reynolds ordered the use of E-Verify across state government, why past legislation on E-Verify stalled in the Iowa House, reporting on the former superintendent steering contracts to a firm where he had a consulting gig, and internal polls gauging the controversy's impact on a school bond referendum and the 2026 Democratic primary for Senate. Other topics covered: a poll that Randy Feenstra's campaign may have commissioned, a Libertarian's case for his U.S. Senate bid, Mariannette Miller-Meeks' viral comment about town halls, Joni Ernst's claim to identify $2 trillion in potential government savings, the confirmation of three Iowans to federal government positions, the scandal Chuck Grassley portrays as worse than Watergate, and thoughts on the passing of Democratic State Senator Claire Celsi.

    30 min

  5. OCT 7

    More Ian Roberts news, state revenue shortfall, access to COVID boosters

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent the first half of the show on news related to former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts: his resignation, deficiencies in the vetting process, new criminal charges, questions surrounding his academic credentials, the school district's lawsuit against the consulting firm that recruited him, more political reaction, a DOJ investigation of the district's hiring practices, the possible impact on an upcoming bond referendum and the school board president's Senate campaign, and overall takeaways. Other topics covered: the Iowans in Congress on the federal government shutdown, a big state revenue shortfall, Laura's reporting on hurdles facing many Iowans who want COVID-19 booster shots, and a GOP candidate for governor throwing shade at Randy Feenstra.

    30 min

  6. SEP 30

    Fallout from ICE detention of Des Moines superintendent

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks devoted about half of this show to a local story that has gained national attention: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Dr. Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Iowa's largest school district. Laura shared the latest news from a special Des Moines School Board meeting (which wrapped up minutes before air time), and they discussed several legal angles, unanswered questions about the case, and political reaction from both parties. Other topics covered: a new Iowa Senate majority leader, two more Republicans running for Congress in the second district, one Republican dropping out of the fourth Congressional district race, a Libertarian preparing to run for U.S. Senate, Ashley Hinson's efforts to elevate one of her Democratic opponents, and a Democratic victory (by two votes!) in a red county special election.

    30 min

  7. SEP 22

    Iowa Senate leadership change, 2026 campaign polls, lawsuit over Charlie Kirk fallout

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks cover news from the week in Iowa politics, starting with the sad news that Democratic State Senator Claire Celsi has entered hospice care. They talked about Republican Jack Whitver's decision to step down as Iowa Senate majority leader, his lasting impact on the Senate, and possible candidates to replace him. Other topics covered: an Iowa House Republican resigns for a Trump administration job, a poll testing messages about Randy Feenstra and Rob Sand, more endorsements for Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, an internal poll showing a dead heat in the third Congressional district, an early look at some battleground state legislative races, the resignation of Iowa's Health and Human Services director, increased voter registrations for Medicaid applicants, and a federal lawsuit filed by a teacher fired over an insensitive post about Charlie Kirk. They ended with news from Congress as a possible federal government shutdown looms.

    30 min

  8. SEP 16

    Iowa angles on Kirk assassination; Polk County Steak Fry highlights; DOGE recommendations

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with Iowa news related to Charlie Kirk's assassination: controversy over social media posts by some educators, a Johnson County official's decision not to lower flags to honor Kirk's memory, and calls to name a center at the University of Iowa after the conservative movement leader. They also discussed State Senator Catelin Drey's swearing in and her potential impact on the Iowa Senate, election forecaster ratings for Iowa's 2026 elections, highlights from a Polk County Democratic event, other news from the campaign trail, the final meeting of Iowa's DOGE task force, limits on nonprofit work to help new citizens register to vote, several stories related to water quality, and three Iowa Supreme Court rulings they didn't have time to cover in the spring.

    30 min
See All (99)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Laura Belin, author of the blog Bleeding Heartland, updates you on developments in Iowa government, hosted by KHOI’s newsman Dennis Hart. An in-depth look at each week’s legislative actions, the governor, public agencies, and important events, as lawmakers act on matters that affect you and your family.

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Belin, Spencer Dirks
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 KHOI FM
  • Show Website
    KHOI's Capitol Week

You Might Also Like