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On Iowa Politics Podcast: Iowa's U.S. Senate Democratic primary heats up This week on the podcast: Iowa's U.S. Senate Democratic primary, more cancer in the Iowa Legislature, and our team's State of the Union reaction.

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Iowa lawmakers mulling Trump's executive order to protect pesticide makers from lawsuits President Trump's executive order is similar in spirit to legislation that has divided majority Republicans at the Iowa Capitol in recent years

Iowa lawmakers mulling Trump’s executive order to protect pesticide makers from lawsuits

I am oh so very proud to be a part of this team! Tune in every Friday for the latest news in Iowa Politics.

Iowa lawmakers advance bill prohibiting partnerships between public schools, libraries The bill would prevent school agreements with public libraries to provide students with access to books and other materials.

Iowa lawmakers advance bill prohibiting partnerships between public schools and libraries

Here's how families feel about proposed plans to restructure C.R. schools Survey results show families, staff and residents of the Cedar Rapids Community School District prefer a plan to move to an intermediate school model over other plans in an effort to reduce at least $...

Survey results show Cedar Rapids schools families prefer a plan to move to an intermediate school model over other plans in an effort to reduce millions from the budget. Respondents were the least supportive of a proposed plan to close a high school. www.thegazette.com/k/heres-how-...

Curious Iowa: Why do Iowa high schools not offer pole vaulting? And how do Iowa universities recruit pole vaulters for their track and field teams?

This week, Curious Iowa responds to a reader wondering why Iowa high schools do not offer pole vaulting. It was interesting to dive into the history and lasting impacts of this 40-year old decision. www.thegazette.com/curious-iowa...

Iowa lawmakers advance bill allowing over-the-counter ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine Iowans would be able to purchase ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine without a prescription under legislation advanced in the Iowa legislature Thursday, a move that medical professionals say could harm Iowans.

Iowa lawmakers advance bill allowing over-the-counter ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine

Yolanda Frudden (left) and Kathleen Williams (right) hold up an earlier picture of themselves as they sit for a portrait during a gathering between their families 20 years after Duttlinger donated a kidney to then co-worker Frudden in 2006 at Frudden’s home in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, January 17, 2026. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

“[If] other people are questioning whether they should [donate], yeah. It’s a yes. You should,” said Kathleen Williams. “It changed our world.” www.thegazette.com/health-care-...

On Iowa Politics Podcast: The Start of the 2026 Legislative Session This week on the On Iowa Politics Podcast, Gov. Kim Reynolds gives her penultimate Condition of the State address, the Iowa Legislature's annual work has begun, and so much more.

Happy 13th Birthday, On Iowa Politics podcast! Tune in as @erindmurphy.bsky.social and team and team recap this week in Iowa Politics, including Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address, the kickoff of the 2026 Legislative Session, and more. www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...

More than 200 people gathered for public comment during a meeting of the Cedar Rapids school board meeting Monday in Cedar Rapids. The school board is considering a recommendation from staff to close up to six elementary schools in the district to trim more than $10 million from the budget to ensure long-term financial stability. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Wright Elementary School second grader Amara Stevenson (right) speaks as Wright teacher Jill Ozarowicz lends her support during public comment at the Cedar Rapids Community School District board meeting at the Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Monday, January 12, 2026. The district needs to trim more than $10 million to ensure long-term financial stability.

Cedar Rapids Community School District Superintendent Tawana Lannin speaks during a meeting at the Educational Leadership and Support Center in northwest Cedar Rapids on Monday. The district needs to trim more than $10 million from its budget to ensure long-term financial stability, and district leaders have proposed closing up to six schools. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Cedar Rapids Community School District board of education member Jen Neumann listens to public comment during a meeting at the Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Monday, January 12, 2026. Public commented on plans to close numerous schools in the district. The district needs to trim more than $10 million to ensure long-term financial stability.

A proposal to close six elementary schools and Truman Early Learning Center would save the district up to $7 million annually when fully implemented. https://www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapids-families-advocate-to-keep-their-schools-open-amid-spending-cuts/ 

What's to come in Iowa politics in 2026 Quickly and easily listen to On Iowa Politics Podcast for free!

@erindmurphy.bsky.social and the gang are back! The On Iowa Politics Podcast tackles two big topics on the new year's horizon: Iowa's gubernatorial campaign and the upcoming legislative session. Audio only: player.captivate.fm/episode/caf6... YouTube: youtu.be/_JKRjDalGMs

Sen. Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, speaks during the first day of the legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Jan. 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Kim Junker, of Butler County, speaks during a press conference highlighting legislation addressing landowner rights and hazardous liquid pipelines at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (Gazette/Erin Murphy)

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The eminent domain debate reached a fever pitch during the 2025 session: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/new-proposal-from-new-leader-adds-wrinkle-to-iowa-lawmakers-property-rights-pipeline-debate/ 

Reagan Fox of Kanawha, Iowa sprays down her goat with fly spray before the FFA Meat Goat Showmanship competition at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Iowa State Troopers remove Chris Morse of Polk County from the room after Morse exceeded her allotted time while speaking in opposition during an Iowa House Judiciary subcommittee meeting on House Study Bill 242 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa on Monday, February 24, 2025. The bill would remove gender identity as a protected class under Iowa’s Civil Rights Act. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

A child, bundled from the cold, stands in line to attend an immigration registration meeting outside of the Cedar Rapids U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Escucha Mi Voz and the Iowa City Catholic Worker House accompanied 11 people, including three families, on a protective accompaniment vigil at the office for their immigration registrations. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

University of Iowa postdoctoral student Shirsh Soni reacts as the TRACERS space crafts launch successfully during a watch party at Van Allen Hall in Iowa City, Iowa on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Soni works on TRACERS and is a research fellow studying field of solar physics. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

View the full gallery of The Gazette's best news photos of 2025: www.thegazette.com/photos/photo...

Looking for ways to ring in 2026 around Eastern Iowa? Check out The Gazette's New Year's Eve events guide: www.thegazette.com/things-to-do...

Best of Curious Iowa 2025 Curious Iowa is a series from The Gazette that answers readers' questions about our state and how it works. Here are the most-read installments of 2025.

This year's Best of Curious Iowa list is out now! Revisit the most-read Curious Iowa installments of 2025: www.thegazette.com/article/best...

Curious Iowa: Why is Iowa the 'Hawkeye State?' Long before a flag-waving Herky the Hawk ran into Kinnick Stadium or Carver Hawkeye Arena – in fact, nearly a decade before Iowa became a state in 1846 and established the University of Iowa in 1847 –...

Did you know the University of Iowa's first mascot wasn't a bird? @vanessamiller12.bsky.social dove into why Iowa is known as the Hawkeye State for this week's installment of Curious Iowa. www.thegazette.com/article/curi...

Never miss an installment of Curious Iowa by signing up for the free Curious Iowa newsletter: rewards.thegazette.com/newsletters/

Community members listen as lighting designer Mike Lambert, of Des Moines, project manager Steve Miller, of Iowa City, and sculpter Hannah Givler, of Iowa City, give a speech about the “Twilights” art installation at the Pedestrian Mall in downtown Iowa City on Friday, November 21, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

The Graduate walkway entrance to the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City, Iowa on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. A new public art installation, “Twilights,” is being installed in the walkway. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Sculptor Hannah Givler, of Iowa City, discusses how they wanted to compliment Drew Etienne's mural “Campfire Stories” during the “Twilights” art installation at the Pedestrian Mall in downtown Iowa City on Friday, November 21, 2025. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

A new spark of art is adding beauty and safety to a small Iowa City corridor, thanks to a new public art installation. www.thegazette.com/people-place...

Iowa Master Naturalists program continues to thrive on one woman's vision Maya Ogren's lasting impact on environmental education continues to grow, nearly a decade after she poured her life's final energy into launching the Iowa Master Naturalists program.

A decade later, Iowa Master Naturalists program continues to thrive on one woman’s vision

Iowa needs more doctors. Here's what physicians say must change. New policy wins — including $150 million for residency expansion and new prior-authorization rules — are giving Iowa physicians hope, but health leaders warns real improvements will take years.

Can Iowa turn the corner on its doctor shortage? A new report lays out how

Curious Iowa: Who decorates the I-380 Christmas trees in Cedar Rapids? For over 20 years, a Cedar Rapids resident decked trees in the I-380 Corridor. Now, the tradition is being passed on to her niece.

Since 2001, a Cedar Rapids resident has been decorating trees along the I-380 Corridor. Now, the tradition is being passed on to her niece. www.thegazette.com/curious-iowa...

Iowa State Patrol has issued 8,000 warnings to drivers using cellphones under new law Many drivers in Iowa could be in for a $100 surprise come the new year unless they put down their phones, at least one Iowa law enforcement official says.

Iowa's new law banning handheld use of cellphones went into effect July 1, with officers able to issue only warnings through the end of the year. How many warnings have officers issued? I asked some state and local agencies ... www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Yesterday, we announced our company is being purchased by Adams MultiMedia, a family-held company based in Minnesota. Read more information on this important development: www.thegazette.com/news/note-fr...

Curious Iowa: Why can the northern lights sometimes be seen in Iowa? The northern lights, which can appear green, pink and blue, are the result of geomagnetic storms. The more severe the storm, the more likely you are to be able to see the lights in Iowa. So long as sk...

Wondering why the Northern Lights can sometimes be seen in Iowa (like last night)? 🌌 The Gazette's Curious Iowa series has the answer. www.thegazette.com/curious-iowa...

The Pentacrest on the campus of the University of Iowa. (The Gazette)

Read about the center's mission: www.thegazette.com/higher-educa...

Johnson County Board of Supervisors members listen to a community member speak during a meeting at the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building in Iowa City on Aug. 20, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

If passed by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, the moratorium would expire Nov. 8, 2026. www.thegazette.com/local-govern...

Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell speaks during an election night watch party at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Stickers are cut and ready for voters to take after they’re submitted their ballots during early voting at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City, Iowa, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. As of 1:27pm 377 people cast their vote in the upcoming election. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Get caught up on local municipal and school election results!
Election results: www.thegazette.com/2025-electio...
Local election coverage: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
Green Gazette election insert: digitaledition.thegazette.com

Runners navigate the course during a state qualifier cross country meet in Iowa City, Iowa on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

From left: E&J HVAC technician Fischer Harrison (from left), foreman Tanner Felton and Ian Brownsberger work to install duct work in the former Wells Fargo building along First Avenue NE in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, October 17, 2025. E&J Geothermal has helped install geothermal heat pump systems in various homes and businesses around Eastern Iowa. The geothermal system gets rid of outdoor systems and most of the mechanics are buried under the ground. For large businesses in the downtown area, the work required to install the geothermal systems is extremely labor intensive. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

From left: Monica Vernon, Peter Durin and Bill Vernon pose for a selfie before the Cedar Rapids Halloween parade at NewBo City Market in southeast Cedar Rapids on October 25, 2025. Monica said she and her husband, Bill, have known Durin, the organizer of the parade, since he was a child, and has enjoyed seeing the Halloween parade grow. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Hillcrest Academy Ravens Nora Swartzendruber (6) stretches to field an attack during their class 1A first round match against the BGM Bears at Hillcrest Academy in Kalona, Iowa, on Monday, October 20, 2025. The Bears swept the Ravens. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

View the full photo gallery of The Gazette's best photos for the second half of October 2025: www.thegazette.com/photos/photo...

Comprehensive look at the 2026 attorney general race from @tjbarton83.bsky.social. Worth a read (or a listen using the audio player on the page!)