Claim OwnershipKHOI's Capitol Week
Subscribed: 7Played: 4
Subscribe
© 2024 KHOI FM
Description
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.
113 Episodes
Reverse
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news from the 2026 campaign trail: big endorsements for Chris McGowan in the fourth Congressional district, Matt Windschitl dropping his IA-04 campaign, Adam Steen banking on social conservatives in the governor's race, a weak showing for Randy Feenstra at the GOP off-year caucuses, and the DNC clearing Iowa Democrats to compete for an early slot in 2028. They covered some news from Congress: federal government funding and Senator Chuck Grassley's connection to FBI changes under Kash Patel. Most of the show focused on news from the Iowa legislature: proposed restrictions on abortion medications and local civil rights ordinances, a trio of "tough on crime" bills from House Republicans, the Senate GOP school funding plan, controversial measures advanced from the House Education Committee, and a House bill to strike all code references to affirmative action or "minority" grants.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news about the partial government shutdown and the status of federal budget negotiations. They covered Donald Trump's latest Iowa rally, including notable remarks by the president and which members of Congress were (and were not) invited to speak. Other topics covered: a debate featuring four of the five Republican candidates for governor (you can guess who was the no-show), a poll testing messages about the Democrats running for governor, a new candidate for state treasurer, a new endorsement for Ashley Hinson, why the off-year precinct caucuses matter, and year-end fundraising by the Iowans running for U.S. House and Senate. Finally, they discussed the latest news from the Iowa legislature on property taxes and eminent domain.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with Iowa political reaction to another tragedy in Minneapolis. Next, they covered breaking news from the 2026 campaign trail, as three Iowans ended their Congressional campaigns on the same day. One of them, Taylor Wettach, is now running for state auditor. Christina Bohannan announced a new stance on health care reform, and State Senator Catelin Drey revealed her cancer diagnosis. Laura and Spencer also covered many Iowa legislative stories: a House Republican property tax plan, a House floor vote on eminent domain, a very different Senate GOP plan on eminent domain, a House Democratic clean water package, subcommittee action on over-the-counter ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, more teaching restrictions on LGBTQ topics, and a possible smoking ban for casinos. Finally, they discussed the new Iowa Legislative Black and Brown Caucus and highlights from the fundraising reports for some Democratic and Republican candidates for governor. (More to come on candidate fundraising next week.)
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks each shared a favorite quote from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., then got right to it, discussing key points from Governor Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address, some topics Reynolds didn't mention, Democratic reaction, why the governor wants to eliminate elections for some county offices, and Laura's viral moment when the governor's staffer prevented her from entering a briefing. Other topics covered: what the Iowa Supreme Court chief justice is asking for, why the Iowa National Guard is deployed in Syria, the legislative priorities of Iowa's attorney general, state auditor, and secretary of agriculture, and early bills moving through Iowa House committees. They finished with some campaign news: two Democrats launched bids for secretary of agriculture, a ratings change for Iowa's third Congressional district, and why one Republican candidate for governor wants supporters to attend off-year caucuses in February.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news from Congress: Zach Nunn votes to extend health insurance subsidies, Mariannette Miller-Meeks votes to override Trump's vetoes, pesticide immunity dropped from a government funding bill, Ashley Hinson defends ICE, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst stick with the president on Venezuela. They covered the Iowa legislature's return from many angles: political and demographic changes since last year, key deadlines for the legislature's work, Senate Republicans' property tax bill, House Republicans' "tough on crime" proposals, the new Senate leader punishing rebels through committee assignments, and key remarks from top Democrats in both chambers. Finally, they discussed Kari Lake's prospects as a candidate in Iowa after she bought property in Davenport, and Ernst's endorsement of Hinson for Senate.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with Iowa political reaction to the U.S. attack in Venezuela and whether this could become a 2026 campaign issue. On the campaign front, they discussed the first TV ad aired in Iowa's U.S. Senate race, a Republican rival's challenge to GOP front-runner Ashley Hinson, and takeaways from the special election in Iowa Senate district 16 (another big Democratic overperformance). Other topics covered: how Iowa will use additional federal funds for rural health, the governor's new Nuclear Energy Task Force, new policies that took effect in Iowa on January 1, a big drop in traffic fatalities, and several topics to watch in the upcoming Iowa legislative session.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with some news from the Republican primary campaign for governor and a quick preview of the December 30 special election in Iowa Senate district 16. The rest of the show recapped major Iowa politics stories from 2025: news from the Iowa legislature, from campaigns for state and federal offices, from the Iowa delegation in Congress, and from the courts. They also flagged some of the most surprising political events of the year and a few important stories that stayed mostly below the radar. They ended the show with an update on Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and its longtime poll director, Ann Selzer (filed a little more than a year ago).
Laura Belin and Dennis Hart cover the week in Iowa politics, starting with the latest news about the Iowa National Guard members recently killed or wounded in Syria. They discussed U.S. House maneuverings on health insurance and several stories related to Senator Chuck Grassley, along with updates on several U.S. House or Senate candidates. Other topics covered: J.D. Scholten retires from professional baseball, a Fox News panel ridicules an Iowa House candidate, why Governor Kim Reynolds will allow Iowa to participate in a USDA summer food assistance program, and Attorney General Brenna Bird's reservations about a presidential order on rescheduling marijuana.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the tragedy in Syria, where two Iowa National Guard members were killed and three wounded in an ambush over the weekend. As the deadline to enroll in the Affordable Care Act was closing, they covered rising premiums for Iowans who buy through the ACA exchange, votes on competing U.S. Senate plans, the different health care positions staked out by Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn, and a rare 2-2 split in Iowa's U.S. House delegation on a collective bargaining bill. Other topics covered: Miller-Meeks registering to vote outside her district, the Iowa House district 7 special election, the start of early voting in Iowa Senate district 16, other Iowa Senate and House races to watch for 2026, Randy Feenstra skipping another forum, a big labor endorsement for Rob Sand, news in the IA-02 GOP primary, the state's latest revenue projections, and a prestigious award for former Governor Terry Branstad.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks covered a wide range of stories, starting with what last week's special U.S. House election in Tennessee could mean for Iowa's second Congressional district. They discussed the Iowa delegation's recent comments about extending health insurance subsidies, boat strikes off the coast of Venezuela, and Pete Hegseth, and Laura's exclusive reporting about taxpayer-funded ads promoting Mariannette Miller-Meeks. 2026 campaign stories included news from the races for governor, third Congressional district, and state treasurer. Other topics covered: Brenna Bird's 99-county tour, the Iowa Democratic Party's 2028 caucus survey, the University of Iowa's "Center for Intellectual Freedom," and a unanimous Iowa Supreme Court ruling for the State Auditor's office in its dispute with the Attorney General's office.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks review a (surprisingly not slow) week in Iowa politics. They discussed a forum featuring every GOP candidate for governor except the front-runner, how Randy Feenstra has been campaigning, two contenders competing to be the top enemy of Satanists, a dark money group's TV ad praising State Auditor Rob Sand, and another notable endorsement for Joe Mitchell in IA-02. Other topics covered: Iowa's secretary of agriculture slammed his potential challenger, two upcoming special legislative elections, a state agency shelved a privatization plan, the sale of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, an online news source for Ames, and developments in several politically salient lawsuits.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news from Iowa's delegation in Congress: the Epstein files votes, Zach Nunn on health care reform, Mariannette Miller-Meeks on a stock trading ban, a House vote on "socialism," and Chuck Grassley donating his shutdown pay. They also covered lots of 2026 campaign news: Mike Bousselot bowing out of the governor's race, Adam Steen attacking "Satanists," high-profile endorsements for several U.S. House and Senate contenders, and more details on recent polls of the IA-03 and attorney general races. Finally, Laura explained the Iowa connection of the reporter President Trump recently called "Piggy."
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the end of the federal government shutdown: when SNAP benefits resumed in Iowa, whether the Iowans in Congress have been paid lately, Laura's reporting on the Iowa earmarks in the federal funding bill, where things stand on health insurance premium subsidies, and a last-minute provision that could force most consumable hemp products off the market. They discussed news from Iowa's U.S. House races: Mariannette Miller-Meeks' GOP challenger and recent town hall in IA-01, a new independent candidate in IA-02, and a poll showing incumbent Zach Nunn losing to two Democrats in IA-03. Other topics covered: Chris Jones as a possible candidate for Iowa secretary of agriculture, the first week of Randy Feenstra's statewide tour, the future president of Iowa State University, and a third lawsuit filed by an Iowa educator fired over a social media post about Charlie Kirk.
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news related to the imminent end of the federal government shutdown and resumption of SNAP benefit payments. Two Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate are calling for Chuck Schumer to step down as Senate minority leader, and several Democrats running for Congress also criticized the deal. They discussed notable results from Iowa's local and school board elections, including a pro-labor Democrat winning in Council Bluffs and the Des Moines school bond passing by a wide margin. Other topics covered: Miller-Meeks finally holding a town hall, union recertification elections, Zach Lahn's campaign for governor, a big endorsement for Adam Steen, Rob Sand's latest comments on property taxes, the GOP candidate for an upcoming special state legislative race, the two finalists for the Iowa State University presidency, and a First Amendment challenge to Iowa's ban on placing candidate yard signs on corporate property.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States