Former Iowa Governor and former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad sat down with On Iowa Politics podcast host
@erindmurphy.bsky.social to talk about current events, Branstad's time in China and his legacy as the longest serving governor in U.S. history
www.thegazette.com/news/politic...

Curious Iowa: How are gas prices determined? How is it that two convenience stores across the street from one another can have different gas prices? And why can one town’s gas pumps have consistently higher prices per

As U.S. gas prices climb to an average over $4/gallon this week, some may be asking, "How are gas prices determined?" I dug into that for Curious Iowa a while back: www.thegazette.com/news/state/c...

My latest for Curious Iowa!

Iowa City Community School District Superintendent Matt Degner listens during a recent board meeting at the district’s Educational Services Building in Iowa City. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Iowa City school board tables $7.5M in spending cuts www.thegazette.com/news/education/iowa-city...

To better serve our audience, The Gazette will relaunch TheGazette.com at 1 p.m. Monday. Users may notice some site disruptions during the conversion. Some site content may be temporarily unavailable.

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.

We do a podcast.
We talk about Iowa politics and government.
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www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...

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. www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapids-families-...

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: www.thegazette.com/state-government/new-pro...

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...