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

Thursday, May 7th, 2026 07.05.2026

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.

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 06.05.2026

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.

Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 05.05.2026

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.

Monday, May 4th, 2026 04.05.2026

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.

Friday, May 1st, 2026 01.05.2026

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.

Thursday, April 30th, 2026 30.04.2026

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.

Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 29.04.2026

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.

Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 28.04.2026

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.

Monday, April 27th, 2026 27.04.2026

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.

Friday, April 24th, 2026 24.04.2026

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?

Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 23.04.2026

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.

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 22.04.2026

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.

Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 21.04.2026

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.

Monday, April 20th, 2026 20.04.2026

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

Friday, April 17th, 2026 17.04.2026

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?

Thursday, April 16th, 2026 16.04.2026

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.

Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 15.04.2026

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.

Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 14.04.2026

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.

Monday, April 13th, 2026 13.04.2026

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.

Friday, April 10th, 2026 10.04.2026

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.

Thursday, April 9th, 2026 09.04.2026

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.

Tuesday, April 8th, 2026 08.04.2026

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.

Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 07.04.2026

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.

Monday, April 6th, 2026 06.04.2026

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.

Friday, April 3rd, 2026 03.04.2026

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.

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