Here First

Gov. Reynolds signed a bill into law that includes her education priorities. The latest on the push for year-round E-15. And what you need to know about voting early in Iowa's primary election.

A new state law makes it a felony to torture an animal. A teenager has been charged with five counts of attempted murder in connection to the Iowa City shooting last month. And the Democratic candidate for state treasurer is asking for details about the departure of two top IPERS officials.

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren was in Iowa yesterday. A new report ranks Iowa's public health emergency preparedness in the lowest tier. And a new series from IPR looks at divisions in our society.

The CEO of Iowa's public employee pension program has resigned after allegations of misconduct. There's development on a bird flu vaccine for poultry. And how has shopping patterns changed community supported agriculture boxes?

Electricians are asking the governor to veto proposed building codes. There is a need for nurses in Iowa. And there are a couple affordable housing projects in Des Moines.

JD Vance was in Iowa last night to support Republican Zach Nunn's reelection campaign. The Democratic candidates for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat debated last night. And Iowa has given the federal government voter registration data.

Democrat candidates for Iowa's 4th Congressional District talked to voters last night. Iowans in the Des Moines area are being asked to voluntarily limit their water usage. And a bill on the governor's desk regulates hydrogen extraction.

The 2026 Iowa legislative session is over after a long weekend. Medication abortions could only be done in person under a bill. And Republican candidates for governor share their views on eminent domain.

Democrat Rob Sand talks more about his ideas for water quality as he campaigns to be Iowa's next governor. Implicit bias prevention training for law officers wouldn't be required under a bill on the governor's desk. And buying beef in bulk might be a way to save money on beef.

A bill in the legislature would ban warrant resolution clinics. An Iowan who's helped Ukrainian refugees resettle in the state went to D.C. last week to advocate for them. And lawmakers are considering a bill that would require passive radon mitigation systems in certain homes.

A few of the Republican candidates for governor debated abortion policy. A new study shows there are significant racial disparities across Iowa's health care system. And artificial intelligence is one factor behind the potential restart of a nuclear power plant in eastern Iowa.

Several schools are closing in the Cedar Rapids school district. The MAHA bill has passed the Iowa House and Senate. And some community newspapers in Iowa that were at risk of shutting down have a new owner.

The U.S. Energy Secretary visited a data center campus near Cedar Rapids. The Board of Regents is considering a policy that requires review of general education courses to check for race-related content. And disagreement on a property tax policy could be the hold up for Iowa's legislative session.

Iowans could see an extra tax on alternative nicotine products under a bill in the legislature. A survey shows staff at the state's public universities don't feel as free to express their viewpoints like they did in the previous years. And how has more extreme weather impacted farmers and ranchers?

Some degree programs could be eliminated at the state's public universities. A study shows Midwest residents don't typically test their well water for nitrates. And volunteers in northwest Iowa are coming together to support immigrants.

Senate Democrats have rejected the governor's nomination to lead the largest state agency. Landlords are voicing their concerns with a property tax bill. And Google's proposed data center in eastern Iowa is bringing tension between two local jurisdictions.

A vigil was held last night to mourn the Iowa City shooting. Candidates for governor announce more of their policy plans. And a high school club in Des Moines is the oldest synchronized swimming group in the nation.

Five were injured in a shooting in Iowa City. Iowa's population growth is slowing. And the latest on the Iowa legislative session.

Campaign finance reports are published. There's a bill in the state legislature that would make it harder to get medication abortions. And why did George Foreman decide to be buried in Iowa?

An independent candidate is running to represent Iowa's 1st Congressional District. Public health officials in Polk County have created a plan to address community needs. And a bill would regulate AI used by minors.

A federal commission met last night about the Duane Arnold Energy Center. A bill on the governor's desk would no longer allow minors to get vaccines that prevent STIs. And the gender pay gap in Iowa's state employees has widened.

Congressman Zach Nunn talked to MAGA Nation last night. There's a bill on the governor's desk that changes time limits on subacute mental health care. And the Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque is consolidating parishes.

The Iowa State Education Association is endorsing Democrat Rob Sand for governor. A nonprofit is starting new legal services for refugees and other immigrants. And the latest on the Iowa legislative session.

Child care workers will receive child care assistance under a new state law. The Cook Political Report says Iowa governor's race is a toss-up. And an in-depth look at how USDA funding cuts could impact the honeybee industry.

A Republican candidate for governor shares his thoughts on education savings accounts. Iowa Senate lawmakers have passed a bill to overhaul Iowa's property tax system. And a Democratic candidate for an Iowa U.S. Senate seat talks policies on water quality.

Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin was in Iowa last night rallying Democrats. Gov. Kim Reynolds won't say why top officials for Iowa's public employee pension system were put on leave. And foster parent training requirements will change in Iowa.

Iowa's Nuclear Energy Task Force learned what it could cost Iowa to build a modular nuclear reactor. The Mayor of Palo is saying news reports about private discussions over a data center project aren't accurate. And opponents of a bill that regulate H-1B visa employment say it could make Iowa less competitive.

A local publisher has agreed to buy six rural Iowa newspapers following the announced closure of Mid-America Publishing. A nonprofit that prevents and responds to child abuse says Iowa has a long way to go. And State Representative Hans Wilz (R-Ottumwa) says lawmakers should come up with some state guidelines for modular nuclear reactors.

Democratic candidate for governor Rob Sand is proposing term and age limits, and cognitive tests for state officials. A bill to regulate prediction markets in the state is moving ahead. And a second top official at Iowa’s public employees’ retirement system has been put on leave while an investigation into possible misconduct is conducted.

An Iowa agriculture leader says President Trump's initiatives for farmers aren't enough. A bill would raise the minimum speed limit on some highways. And lawmakers are considering a bill that aims to recruit health care professionals to certain areas of the state.

Commercial drivers would have to pass an English proficiency test under a bill. Republican candidate for governor Randy Feenstra says he wants to lower the state income tax even more. And will federal funds for rural health care be enough to offset losses from Medicaid cuts?

A bill on the governor's desk could help child care workers with their own children. Several small newspapers in Iowa may not have to close. And the National Weather Service is recruiting severe weather spotters.

Iowans across the state rallied as part of the No Kings protests. Enrollment in federal food assistance has dropped. And the USDA cancelled a grant program for underserved producers.

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill that will temporarily raise taxes on HMO health insurance plans. Residents in Cedar Falls are concerned about a proposed cryptocurrency mine. And how Kansas communities deal with tumbleweeds.

A new report looks at environmental factors and Iowa's cancer rates. Candidate for governor Eddie Andrews will be on the primary ballot. And Governor Kim Reynolds shares some thoughts on property tax proposals.

The mayor of Palo is showing support for Google's data center plans. A few candidates were kicked off the primary election ballot. And lawmakers are considering towing regulations.

Abortions in Iowa dropped last year. A bill on the governor's desk would let health care providers decline to participate in services if it conflicts with their conscience. And residents in Linn County are concerned about plans for a gas-fired power plant.

There was a rally against a bill that would end some H-1B visa employment at Iowa colleges. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on if Roundup should have a cancer warning. And the latest on the Iowa legislative session.

The Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa went way over budget on an event. A library book club in central Iowa was cancelled after community backlash over the book. And taking a look at perspectives on laws regulating big cat ownership.

A bill would allow so-called 'magic mushrooms' for treating some mental illnesses. A bill about foster parents' beliefs on gender identity and sexual orientation is advancing. And the Sioux City Library budget won't shrink as much as originally planned.

A new poll shows most Iowa voters support raising the tobacco tax. The Iowa House has passed a bill that would create stricter employment verification for people working at schools. And there are new gubernatorial endorsements.

A proposed tax increase on HMO health insurance plans is moving ahead at the Iowa Statehouse. A proposal to keep school districts from rejecting partnerships with community-based preschool program providers is also moving ahead. And Waterloo’s Grout Museum District is speaking out against the city’s proposal to reduce its funding.

A blizzard across Iowa Sunday into Monday didn’t drop a lot of snow – but it did close major interstate highways because of low visibility. New reports suggest bills aimed at cutting tuition at Iowa’s public universities could have wide-ranging effects on the campuses. And a federal wildlife refuge in central Iowa is making plans to renovate and reopen a visitor’s center that was damaged by a 2024 storm.

Revenue estimates show the state likely won't bring in enough money to cover the next state budget. A billionaire with Iowa ties is testifying in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. And a high school senior is raising money for immigrant and refugee students to go to college

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that will likely affect cities that have local gender identity anti-discrimination protections. More candidates for governor and a U.S. Senate seat are submitting paperwork for the primaries. And a look at the effort to change Iowa's Medicaid income limits for people with disabilities.

A northwest Iowa school district is trying to address racist bullying. The Iowa House has passed a bill that bans mothers without legal status from a federal food assistance program. And why are there more FFA chapters being created in urban schools?

Candidates for governor have started filing to get on the June 2nd primary ballot. A bill would allow health care providers to withdraw from doing a medical procedure if it conflicts with their conscience. And Linn County supervisors are considering regulations on gas fired power plants.

The remains of soldiers from an Army Reserve based in Des Moines were returned to the U.S. over the weekend. New research shows algae could be a natural filter for microplastics. And the latest on the Iowa legislative session.

All of Iowa's representatives in Congress voted against a measure to rein in Trump's Iran war powers. The state education licensing board has a budget shortfall. And there's a new report about data center development in Cedar Rapids.

A second Iowan solider has been identified as among the first Americans killed in Kuwait on Sunday. Google is changing locations of a proposed data center in eastern Iowa. And a bill would require checks on legal status to get an Iowa driver's license.