Laura Belin, Spencer Dirks

KHOI's Capitol Week

News EN ↓ 135 episodes

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.

Author

Laura Belin, Spencer Dirks

Category

News

Podcast website

khoifm.org

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

Iowa lawmakers act on gender balance, school funding, and more 27.02.2024

Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discuss important bills approved by either the Iowa House or Senate during the first week of floor debate in both chambers. Other topics covered include a public hearing on the House Republican proposal to change Iowa's Area Education Agencies, an Iowa Supreme Court ruling related to a lawsuit challenging a 2021 election law, and the latest happenings in litigation over...

Funnel week extravaganza 20.02.2024

Laura Belin and Dennis Hart recap the Iowa legislature's extremely busy "funnel week," discussing a few dozen bills that either survived the first major deadline in the state House or Senate, or landed on the scrap heap. They also covered some of what the Iowans in Congress were up to last week.

Iowa lawmakers on health care, gender, libraries...and raccoons 13.02.2024

Laura Belin and Dennis Hart cover the latest news related to Donald Trump's legal entanglements, Iowa Congressional votes on foreign aid, and more than 20 bills advancing in the Iowa legislature ahead of a February 16 deadline. They also discussed Laura's exclusive reporting on Iowa State University's pricey new airplane.

Gender Identity at the State House 06.02.2024

Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discuss the latest Iowa legislative happenings, including high drama surrounding bills on gender identity and Governor Kim Reynolds' proposal to overhaul Iowa's Area Education Agencies. Other topics covered include new tax cut plans, border politics, Iowa Congressional candidate fundraising, and the passing of former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

A new death penalty bill and other Iowa legislative news 30.01.2024

Laura Belin and Dennis Hart discussed fifteen bills pending in the Iowa legislature, on topics including the death penalty, ballot access for presidential candidates, gender identity, health care access, education, and nursing homes. Also covered: Attorney General Brenna Bird's year of suing the Biden administration, and State Auditor Rob Sand's review of property taxes. Finally, Laura shared the...

Final Iowa caucus thoughts, lots of legislative news 23.01.2024

Dennis Hart and Laura Belin analyzed the Iowa GOP caucus results, discussed abortion politics on the anniversary of Roe v Wade, and spent most of this episode on Iowa legislative news. Laura also explained why the Institute for Free Speech had recently filed a federal lawsuit on her behalf, over the Iowa House chief clerk's refusal to grant her press credentials.

Iowa Caucus Special Live Addition 17.01.2024

Dennis Hart and Laura Belin recorded live early on January 16 to recap the results from the previous night's Iowa caucuses. They also discussed the early days of the Iowa legislature's 2024 session, including highlights from speeches by Governor Kim Reynolds and Chief Justice Susan Christensen. Rounding out the episode: federal court rulings on Iowa laws and some legislative campaign news.

Live on Iowa Caucus Night, plus some legislative news 16.01.2024

Dennis Hart and Laura Belin recorded live on January 15, as the Iowa caucuses were ongoing. Part of the episode covered the last week of presidential candidate visits, town halls, and debates. They also discussed the early days of the Iowa legislature's 2024 session and highlights from Governor Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address.

Iowa legislature back to work, one week to the caucuses 09.01.2024

Laura Belin and Dennis Hart recorded live on the first day of the Iowa legislature's 2024 session. They began by discussing the Perry High School tragedy of January 4, Iowa's deadliest school shooting. Since this show happened exactly one week before the Iowa caucuses, much of the episode covered news about the Republican presidential candidates.

A blockbuster federal court ruling to start the new year 02.01.2024

Laura Belin and Dennis Hart recorded live on New Year's Day 2024. They started with a close look at a federal court order blocking Iowa from enforcing wide-ranging school book bans and restrictions on teaching about gender identity or sexual orientation in grades K-6. They also covered some presidential candidate visits to Iowa and previewed the new legislative session, set to begin on January 8.

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