PlatPhorm Podcasts
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.
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10/23/2026
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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?
View original10/22/2026
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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?
View original10/21/2026
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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.
View original10/20/2026
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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?
View original10/19/2026
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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.
View original10/16/2026
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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.
View original10/15/2026
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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?
View original10/14/2026
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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?
View original10/13/2026
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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.
View original10/12/2026
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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.
View original10/9/2026
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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?
View original10/8/2026
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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.
View original10/7/2026
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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.
View original10/6/2026
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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.
View original10/5/2026
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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.
View original10/2/2026
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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.
View original10/1/2026
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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?
View original9/30/2026
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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.
View original9/29/2026
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Just ahead of the midterm elections, President Trump has announced a steel plant investment in Iowa. Local health department's budgets could be tighter under a state plan to reorganize public health. And the latest on the effort to try to keep a historical research center open.
View original9/28/2026
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A possible new steel plant may bring lawmakers back to Des Moines for a special session. After losing half of its executive committee, the Center for Intellectual Freedom has four finalists to take the helm. U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson says she supports increasing cancer research funding.
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