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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Five were injured in a shooting in Iowa City. Iowa's population growth is slowing. And the latest on the Iowa legislative session.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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An Iowa agriculture leader says President Trump's initiatives for farmers aren't enough. A bill would raise the minimum speed limit on some highways. And lawmakers are considering a bill that aims to recruit health care professionals to certain areas of the state.
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Commercial drivers would have to pass an English proficiency test under a bill. Republican candidate for governor Randy Feenstra says he wants to lower the state income tax even more. And will federal funds for rural health care be enough to offset losses from Medicaid cuts?
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A bill on the governor's desk could help child care workers with their own children. Several small newspapers in Iowa may not have to close. And the National Weather Service is recruiting severe weather spotters.
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Iowans across the state rallied as part of the No Kings protests. Enrollment in federal food assistance has dropped. And the USDA cancelled a grant program for underserved producers.
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Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill that will temporarily raise taxes on HMO health insurance plans. Residents in Cedar Falls are concerned about a proposed cryptocurrency mine. And how Kansas communities deal with tumbleweeds.
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A new report looks at environmental factors and Iowa's cancer rates. Candidate for governor Eddie Andrews will be on the primary ballot. And Governor Kim Reynolds shares some thoughts on property tax proposals.
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The mayor of Palo is showing support for Google's data center plans. A few candidates were kicked off the primary election ballot. And lawmakers are considering towing regulations.
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