Iowa Public Radio

Here First

News EN ↓ 281 episodes

Start your day with the essentials. Coffee. Breakfast. And the local news you need to know. Host Meghan McKinney rises bright and early to bring you the top news stories from around Iowa in under 10 minutes. Wake up, grab that coffee and get your news Here First. You can support what you hear on this podcast at ipr.org/donate.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.iowapublicradio.org

Author

Iowa Public Radio

Category

News

Podcast website

www.iowapublicradio.org

Latest episode

Nov 3, 2026

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Episodes

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 03.11.2026

It's Election Day! A federal judge has cleared the way for the Satanic Temple of Iowa to host a holiday display at the Iowa Capitol rotunda. And how could data center developments impact Iowa's landfills?

Monday, November 2nd, 2026 02.11.2026

President Trump made his second visit to Iowa in the last two weeks. Iowa voters share their concerns ahead of the midterms. And could this be the last time we set our clocks back an hour?

Friday, October 30th, 2026 30.10.2026

President Trump has cancelled his rally in Dubuque. Two health clinics who have been working together for decades are struggling to agree on a contract. And what are the candidates for governor saying as a final push to voters?

Thursday, October 29th, 2026 29.10.2026

Iowa's top election official is dismissing fears of federal interference in the midterm elections. Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Josh Turek is responding to bipartisan backlash from his new ad. And Grimes has added data center development regulations.

Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 28.10.2026

The candidates for Iowa governor debated last night, as well as the candidates for the 3rd congressional district. Gov. Kim Reynolds' Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force has released its recommendations. And the Trump Administration is trying to speed up nuclear development.

Tuesday, October 27th, 2026 27.10.2026

Over 300,000 Iowans have cast early ballots for the midterms. The Trump Administration is overturning longstanding interpretations of how the Endangered Species Act operates. And how are candidates in Iowa's 1st Congressional District campaigning this year?

Monday, October 26th, 2026 26.10.2026

The USDA is funneling over 500 million dollars to expand fertilizer production in the U.S. Linn County has denied a zoning request to build a natural gas plant. And how the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration could affect the race for Iowa's Second Congressional District.

Friday, October 23rd, 2026 23.10.2026

President Trump held a rally in Sioux City last night. Google hosted an open house in Palo last night about a proposed data center. And how is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act shaping the campaigning in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District?

Thursday, October 22nd, 2026 22.10.2026

President Trump is set to be in Iowa today. A poll shows many Americans feel the economic pinch from rising inflation. And how can the election for Iowa's open 4th Congressional District help other candidates on the ballot?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 21.10.2026

The Board of Regents has picked a new permanent director for the Center for Intellectual Freedom. The major party candidates for Iowa's First Congressional District debated last night. And an update on the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge.

Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 20.10.2026

Gov. Kim Reynolds' husband, Kevin Reynolds, is undergoing treatment for a recurrence of cancer. An ISU student is suing the city of Ames over its policy that bans firearms on public transit. And how are the candidates campaigning in Iowa's First Congressional District?

Monday, October 19th, 2026 19.10.2026

The Department of Homeland Security is delaying a decision about TPS for Ukrainians. Democratic candidates in Iowa raised more money than Republicans this last fundraising quarter. And state revenue estimates for the next two years are out.

Friday, October 16th, 2026 16.10.2026

An Iowa City woman granted protection from persecution in Ivory Coast has been deported and could likely end up back in that country. President Trump will hold a rally in Sioux City next Thursday. And data center construction waste is piling up at Linn County’s landfill.

Thursday, October 15th, 2026 15.10.2026

An Iowa City hospital worker has been deported despite pushback from elected officials. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is suing OpenAI. And what are the traumatic consequences when a parent is deported?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 14.10.2026

In person absentee voting starts today in Iowa. Some health departments are trying to help refugees in Iowa who lost their Medicaid. And how is affordability shaping Iowa's Second Congressional District race?

Tuesday, October 13th. 2026 13.10.2026

A constitutional amendment on the Iowa ballot would make it harder to raise income or corporate tax rates. The candidates for state treasurer share their thoughts on the proposed steel plant. And Democrats are campaigning hard on health care.

Monday, October 12th, 2026 12.10.2026

A potential 2028 presidential candidate was in Iowa last night. The candidates for Iowa attorney general have debated. And Johnson County is trying to convince voters to pass a jail bond again.

Friday, October 9th, 2026 09.10.2026

Major party candidates for Iowa's Second Congressional District debated last night. Some landline users are concerned about their service ending. And how could sorghum make its way into American's diets?

Thursday, October 8th, 2026 08.10.2026

Candidates for Iowa's open U.S. senate seat debated last night. High rainfall in September is connected to the El Niño weather event. And utility rates in the Midwest have been rising.

Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 07.10.2026

The candidates for Iowa governor had their first debate last night. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins was in Iowa yesterday. And Des Moines is being considered for a pro soccer team.

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 06.10.2026

The candidates for Iowa governor have different thoughts on supporting public and private schools. Waterloo is keeping a human rights director position. And the latest on data center regulations in Linn County.

Monday, October 5th, 2026 05.10.2026

State lawmakers passed legislation to support a proposed steel plant in Iowa. The Center for Intellectual Freedom is responding to criticism. And some worry a new state law could be harmful for LGBTQ foster youth.

Friday, October 2nd, 2026 02.10.2026

The Democrat running to be Iowa secretary of agriculture says ethanol is an economic dead end. Scientists are worried the closure of a USDA research facility could hurt food safety. And September was the 4th wettest on record in Iowa.

Thursday, October 1st, 2026 01.10.2026

People in eastern Iowa are calling for the release of a hospital worker who was detained by ICE last week. The candidates for Iowa governor both held rallies in Polk County last night. And what can local governments do about data center development?

Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 30.09.2026

A new report about Iowa's high cancer rates looks at behavioral and demographic risk factors. Dubuque is partnering with a research center to revive an underserved neighborhood. And the candidates for Iowa secretary of agriculture have different ideas about addressing water quality.

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