The Gazette Fact Checker

Early voting already is well underway, but the jabs are getting sharper between Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and Democratic challenger Mike Franken as the race inches to Election Day on Nov. 8.A recent ad attacking Franken containing claims about health care, abortion and support for hiring thousands of IRS agents included one claim that stands out as something voters don’t hear about in ads every election cycle.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in advocacy ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable.We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is researched and hosted by The Gazette's Elijah Decious and features Erin Jordan and Marissa Payne.The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast reviews claims made by Christina Bohannon and Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Iowa PBS' September debate. Bohannon's claim accused Marianette Miller-Meeks' big campaign contributions from oil and gas companies made her soft on regulating the industry, while Miller-Meeks went after the IRS' recent budget increase.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in advocacy ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast includes fact checks researched by The Gazette's Erin Jordan and Marissa Payne. The podcast also features Elijah Decious. The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music heard is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Linn County Auditor Joel Miller has criticized Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate for deactivating voters who didn’t vote in the 2020 general election. The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in advocacy ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by The Gazette's Erin Jordan and features Elijah Decious and Marissa Payne. The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music heard is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Democrat senator Mike Franken said in a July 12 news release that “Since coming to Washington over 40 years ago, [Grassley] has taken nearly $1.4 million dollars from the pharmaceutical industry …” Was he correct in making those claims? The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in advocacy ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable.We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is researched and hosted by The Gazette's Elijah Decious and features Erin Jordan and Marissa Payne.The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the intro and outro music heard is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann recently claimed “Kevin Kinney acts one way at home, but when he goes to Des Moines he votes in lock step with the liberal progressives of his party,” Kaufmann said. "As a sixth-generation farmer, mother and community leader, Sen. Dawn Driscoll has always had her constituents' backs.“ The Fact Checker is going to check the first part of Kaufmann’s statement about Kinney voting in “lock step with liberal progressives.” The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in advocacy ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by The Gazette's Erin Jordan and features Elijah Decious, Marissa Payne, and the final appearance of Michaela Ramm.The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the intro and outro music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Liz Mathis, a Democrat challenging GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson for her seat in the U.S. House, recently posted a tweet about Hinson’s support for a “personhood” bill introduced last year, claiming “This Iowa Supreme Court ruling is another step toward Ashley Hinson’s goal of criminalizing abortions even in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk."Our analysis found Hinson has never publicly stated she would support legislation that includes criminal penalties for abortions. But the broad scope of the personhood law does have implications for criminalization of abortion, so we gave the claim a B.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in advocacy ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by The Gazette's Michaela Ramm and features Elijah Decious, Erin Jordan, and Marissa Payne. The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music used is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Six U.S. Senate Republicans, including Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, now have proposed the BUILD IT Act, which would turn over unused border wall materials to southern states who want to continue building the wall. As justification for the bill, Ernst tweeted May 24: “American taxpayers are paying $3 million per day for contractors to guard unused Southern border wall materials.” The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate/officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable.We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast was hosted by The Gazette's Erin Jordan and features Elijah Decious, Marissa Payne, and Michaela Ramm. The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On June 7, the Iowa Democratic Party posted an infographic meant to compare Democrat candidate for Iowa governor Deidre DeJear with Kim Reynolds, making a few bold claims. In this episode of the Fact Checker Podcast we evaluate a couple of the claims the Democratic Party made against Reynolds.Claim 1: Reynolds “wanted to jail teachers and librarians.” We give this claim an F.Claim 2: Reynolds “banned trans kids from playing sports.” We give this claim an A.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in advocacy ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by The Gazette's Elijah Decious and features Erin Jordan and Marissa Payne. The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The rising cost of gas is straining Americans’ budgets and fueling heightened criticism of President Joe Biden. Iowa’s Republican Sen. Joni Ernst is among the critics of Biden’s energy policy.Ernst tweeted May 26 that “within the past two weeks, gas prices have jumped 33%. Some experts are saying the prices will reach $6/gallon by mid-summer. The Biden admin must unleash U.S. energy independence.”The Fact Checker evaluated these two claims on this week's podcast.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate/officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of The Gazette's Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by Erin Jordan and features Marissa Payne and Michaela Ramm. The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen Colbert and music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod. (License)

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley’s campaign decried Abby Finkenauer for her support of proposed legislation to codify Roe v Wade into law to preserve abortion access nationwide even if the Supreme Court overturns it as a recent leak suggests."Democrats will stop at nothing to ensure their extremist views are enacted into law. Look no further than the bill in front of the U.S. Senate today — The Abortion on Demand Until Birth Act — which allows pregnancies to be terminated from conception to birth. Abby Finkenauer shared her support for this radical bill,“ Grassley’s team wrote in a campaign email.The Gazette's Fact Checker team gives this claim a D. While it's true Finkenauer supports the legislation, Grassley's description of the bill is an oversimplification and misleading of the bill's intent.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate/officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of The Gazette's Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by Erin Jordan and features Marissa Payne and Michaela Ramm. The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen Colbert and music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On April 13, Protect Our Care launched a new ad praising Democratic U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne of Iowa’s 3rd Congressional district for her work to reduce health care costs for families.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in political or public policy ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by The Gazette's Elijah Decious and features Erin Jordan, Marissa Payne, and Michaela Ramm. The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Iowa lawmakers are stirring up debate again before adjourning the 2022 legislative session over Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposal to spend taxpayer funds on private school tuition assistance. State Sen. Liz Mathis criticized the bill in a tweet: “Iowans believe public dollars should fund public schools, but Rs in the state Senate passed a bill that: Diverts $76M away from public schools where 93% of Iowans are educated, Undermines underfunded rural schools, Requires 0 transparency from private schools that get funds”The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate/officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker podcast is hosted by Marissa Payne and features Elijah Decious, Erin Jordan, and Michaela Ramm. The podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Ross Wilburn on April 1 decried U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson and Randy Feenstra, both Republicans, for voting against legislation that would cap insulin copays. The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in political or public policy ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by The Gazette's Erin Jordan and features Elijah Decious, Marissa Payne and Michaela Ramm. The podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music heard is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In an April Fools’ Day-themed commercial that began airing in Iowa at the start of this month, an Iowa environmental group called on Des Moines-based MidAmerican Energy Company to close down its coal plants in Iowa within the next decade, making a number of claims about their coal-produced energy.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in ads that appear in our market. Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by The Gazette's Michaela Ramm and features Elijah Decious, Erin Jordan, and Marissa Payne. The podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abby Finkenauer, a Democrat hoping to claim Republican Chuck Grassley’s seat in the U.S. Senate, tweeted March 23 about Grassley’s attempts to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by The Gazette's Erin Jordan and features Elijah Decious and Marissa Payne.The podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Iowa U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has claimed in recent weeks there is no scientific evidence supporting continued use of coronavirus mitigation strategies in certain public settings.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by The Gazette's Michaela Ramm and features Elijah Decious, Erin Jordan, and Marissa Payne. The podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On March 1, Gov. Kim Reynolds gave her address to the nation on behalf of the Republican Party in response to Democratic President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address.But before her speech, Democratic state Sen. Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City was giving a speech Feb. 28 on the floor of the Iowa Capitol on “the top 15 things Gov. Kim Reynolds will not tell Americans," making multiple accusations, including the claim Kim Reynolds is "a climate change denier."The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate or officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in ads that appear in our market. Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is researched and hosted by Elijah Decious and features, Marissa Payne and Michaela Ramm. The podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cedar Rapids once again is fighting against Iowa lawmakers’ attempts to regulate or ban automated traffic enforcement camera systems — devices that local law enforcement officials say promote safety, while critics say they are cash-generating constitutional violations.The Fact Checker team checks statements made by an Iowa political candidate/officeholder or a national candidate/officeholder about Iowa, or in ads that appear in our market.Claims must be independently verifiable. We give statements grades from A to F based on accuracy and context.If you spot a claim you think needs checking, email us at factchecker@thegazette.com.This episode of The Gazette's Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by Marissa Payne and features Elijah Decious, Erin Jordan, and Michaela Ramm. The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and music heard on the podcast is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds was chosen by the Republican Party to deliver the GOP’s response Tuesday night to President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address.The Fact Checker checks only verifiable claims — so if the governor expressed an opinion or a made a vague statement that can’t be measured, we didn’t check it. Reynolds’ campaign staff provided sourcing to the Fact Checker on her claims.This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is hosted by Erin Jordan and features Elijah Decious and Michaela Ramm. The Fact Checker podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

More than 70,000 Americans overdosed on drugs in 2019, with 70 percent of those deaths caused by opioids, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. An increase in drug overdose deaths in recent years has caused the federal government to look at harm reduction, a strategy that seeks to keep drug users safe so they have a better chance of eventually kicking their addictions. In a Feb. 15 news release, Sen. Joni Ernst ridicules a federal Harm Reduction Grant Program, which would provide nearly $30 million in grants funded by the American Rescue Plan to increase access to harm reduction services and support. “When Iowans hear about the outlandish ways in which Washington wastes their hard earned tax dollars, I’m often asked if the folks making these spending decisions are on crack. Well, it turns out some are!”Ernst goes on to say: “As part of a new Biden administration initiative, ‘people who use drugs’ will help decide how to spend nearly $30 million of your tax dollars on smoking kits and drug equipment and supplies for other drug users. “While the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initially confirmed crack pipes would be included, the administration is now attempting to backtrack, saying the pipes won’t be part of the deal.“Regardless of the latest line the administration is pushing, the program announcement is not so crystal clear on if crack pipes will be included.”This episode of the Fact Checker Podcast is researched and hosted by The Gazette's Erin Jordan. Additional members of the Fact Checker team are Elijah Decious, Marissa Payne and Michaela Ramm.The Fact Checker Podcast is produced by Stephen M. Colbert and music is Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3986-lobby-time/License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/