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.
200 indexed items · language not specified · active
Community rank is loading…
3/10/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
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.
View original3/9/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
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.
View original3/6/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
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.
View original3/5/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
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.
View original3/4/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
An Iowa solider was among the first casualties in the U.S. war with Iran. A bill would ban some H-1B visa holders from working at Iowa colleges. And the Sioux City Council is considering cutting a quarter of the public library budget.
View original3/3/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
A Republican has officially filed paperwork to be put on the primary ballot for governor. A bill would add regulations to prior authorization. And an Iowan is going to the Paralympics in hopes of getting a fourth gold medal.
View original3/2/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
Iowa's Republican representatives in Congress share their point of view of what's happening in Iran. There are a few bills that could impact immigrants in Iowa in the state legislature. And a research project is trying to see if the amount of nitrogen fertilizer impacts crop yields.
View original2/27/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
Governor Kim Reynolds is defending her use of a state-owned plane for official travel. Driver's license tests would only be offered in English under a bill in the state legislature. And ISU basketball player Audi Crooks is breaking records ahead of March Madness.
View original2/26/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
The University of Iowa's Center for Intellectual Freedom has low enrollment. The Iowa Senate has passed bills focused on immigration status checks. And Iowa cities and counties wouldn't be able to issue community IDs under a bill in the state legislature.
View original2/25/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
Coralville will remove its automated license plate readers. Private colleges that are part of a state scholarship program would be banned from having DEI offices under a bill. And ag groups have been urging President Trump to avoid tariffs on agricultural inputs.
View original2/24/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
University of Iowa alumni are expressing concern about the potential loss of several programs. Another Iowa Senator is being treated for cancer. And specialty crop growers say they need more federal aid to offset financial losses.
View original2/23/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R) says he would sign a controversial pesticide label law as Iowa governor. The search firm Des Moines public schools used to hire former superintendent Ian Roberts is countersuing the school district for defamation. And the latest on the legislative session.
View original2/20/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
FEMA announced funding for some western Iowa communities affected by natural disasters. Over one hundred people rallied at the state capitol yesterday against a so called "Cancer Gag Act" bill. And how does funding play a role into 988 services for each state?
View original2/19/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
Linn County supervisors say their new ordinance should be a model for data center regulation in Iowa. Disabled Iowans say other states are better for advancing their careers. And the feds are overseeing the investigation of a pipeline explosion in Washington County.
View original2/18/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
The Iowa City school district is trying to fill a financial gap after the superintendent says the district went beyond its limits. A bill would require data centers to report how much electricity and water they use. And another bill is facing pushback from state boards that oversee early childhood and family services.
View original2/17/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
A hearing was cancelled for a bill that would have further restricted abortion in Iowa. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would regulate Automated License Plate Readers. And Sioux City schools are rolling out EV buses this week, despite a hold on federal funding for them.
View original2/16/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
A Democrat has dropped out of the race for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat. A bill would change foster care training requirements. And state lawmakers are considering a few proposals that would further restrict abortion.
View original2/13/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
Ranchers pushed back on an executive order from President Trump that increased Argentina beef imports. A bill in the state legislature would eliminate vaccine requirements in schools. And funding for USDA Climate Hubs that help farmers is uncertain.
View original2/12/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
Ames has passed anti-discrimination protections for gender identity. A bill in state legislature would create a domestic abuse offender registry. And how are local musicians impacted by music venues closing in central Iowa?
View original2/11/2026
episode · Checking source
Here First
Congress must figure out DHS funding by Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown. Coralville is considering revisiting what it uses automated license plate readers for. And a young couple moved out of Iowa after state lawmakers removed gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
View original