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KHOI's Capitol Week

Laura Belin, Spencer Dirks

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.

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  • 23 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 29 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • S1 · E276
    April 28 · 29 min

    New ads; lawmakers work on budget, taxes, nominees, cancer

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with ad buys and air time reservations in Iowa's U.S. House races, new ads for Republican candidates Adam Steen and Zach Lahn, Steve King endorsing Lahn, how the GOP candidates covered the weekend's four district conventions, and why the district convention delegates could be important. News from Congress: Chuck Grassley recovering from surgery, a planned briefing on Secret Service protocols, Iowans' votes on war powers, Grassley's preference to fill a Supreme Court vacancy (should one arise), and Joni Ernst paying tribute to the fired U.S. Army chief of staff. They ended with news from the legislature: state budget negotiations, property tax reform differences, photos of House pages stuffing campaign mailers for a Republican lawmaker, Senate Democrats taking down two of the governor's nominees, and several bills related to Iowa's high cancer rates.

  • S1 · E275
    April 21 · 29 min

    Governor's race news, 1Q fundraising, abortion bill returns

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news from the Republican primary for governor: Randy Feenstra's latest ad and internal poll; a recycled endorsement; Feenstra and Zach Lahn declining a debate; Adam Steen's comments on debates, school vouchers, and Sharia law; and Steve King's take on the race. They discussed Rob Sand's new ad, canvassing strategy, and plan to legalize cannabis and THC beverages. Other campaign news: Josh Turek's first TV ad, Iowa donations from Eric Swalwell's PAC, first quarter fundraising for U.S. House and Senate candidates, Mariannette Miller-Meeks renting an apartment from Pharma lobbyists, IA-01 independent candidate Michael Bridgford, and Libertarians' plans for this year's races. Finally, they covered renewed efforts to restrict medication abortions and the latest statistics on Iowa abortions in 2025.

  • S1 · E274
    April 14 · 29 min

    New poll, candidates spar in governor & Senate races

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent most of the show on news from Iowa's 2026 campaigns: a poll shows Iowa as "competitive terrain," a forecaster calls the governor's race a toss-up, why Rob Sand's banking on educators, Randy Feenstra and Adam Steen spar over school vouchers, former Gov. Terry Branstad's advice for Feenstra, Zach Lahn's debut TV ad, VoteVets spending for Josh Turek, sparks fly between Turek and rival Senate candidate Zach Wahls, pitches from the Republicans running in IA-02, and a major labor group's endorsements. Other topics covered: Chuck Grassley on the fired U.S. Army chief of staff, Ashley Hinson dodges questions about Iran, and how the Iowa Senate's bipartisan property tax reform bill differs from proposals backed by Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa House Republicans.

Showing 21–23 of 23 episodes