On Iowa Politics Podcast

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 tune into a session from The Gazette’s 10th annual Iowa Ideas conference that convenes a panel to discuss water quality in Iowa. Iowa Ideas is The Gazette's statewide, virtual conference that brings together perspectives from across the state to discuss the topics impacting Iowans most and offer solutions to continue driving Iowa forward.Interested in watching replays from the Iowa Ideas conference? Find a full list here.We will return to our regular On Iowa Politics podcast programming next week. This episode was hosted by Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon.

Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy sat down with Democratic Iowa Gubernatorial Nominee Rob Sand on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 for the latest installment of a series of 1:1 interviews with political and government leaders in Iowa. This episode was produced by Gazette Deputy Digital Content Manager Bailey Cichon.View past installments of the series:Iowa House Speaker Pat GrassleyIowa Rep. J.D. ScholtenFormer Iowa Governor Terry Branstad

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 a big vote in the U.S. House, Vice President JD Vance visiting Western Iowa and more.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, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Hailey Peck, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.Read the articles talked about in this episode:(3:59) JD Vance to headline Republican midterm rally in Council Bluffs(13:08) Miller-Meeks, Nunn break with Trump, vote to curb U.S. war powers in Iran(22:42) In Scott County, Zach Lahn asks Republicans to rally around water quality as a 'pro-life issue'(28:27) Exclusive: Documents show Salix mayor, council knew of possible data center project early on(34:37) Miller-Meeks, Bohannan to debate in battleground Iowa U.S. House 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 talk about upcoming debates and potential running mate issues in Iowa’s gubernatorial election, and we’ll recall 9/11.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 and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.Read the articles mentioned in this episode:(0:50) Iowa’s fall debate calendar is filling up. One major race is missing.(10:37) Wulf’s baggage is weighing down Lahn’s campaignLenders, farmers accuse Lt. Gov candidate Derek Wulf of theft, fraudIowa Lt. Gov. candidate Wulf addresses personal finances at conservative group’s meeting(23:25) How did The Sioux City Journal cover Sept. 11, 2001?

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’ll discuss Iowa Farm Bureau’s endorsements – and lack thereof – and talk about our team’s bountiful coverage from the campaign trail.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, 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 mentioned in the episode:(1:59) Iowa Farm Bureau endorsements skip governor’s race(10:17) Bird, McGowan cautious but optimistic during Sioux City GOP fundraiser(15:34) Democrat running for Iowa Treasurer wants to bolster IPERS, push for financial policies(22:28) Joe Mitchell warns of threat from left at Cedar Rapids rally(31:39) Iowa Democratic candidates make their cases at Polk County Steak Fry fundraiser