Iowa Senate rejects Health and Human Services leader’s nomination Larry Johnson’s appointment as director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services was rejected Tuesday by the Iowa Senate.

Also yesterday, we saw the first real impact of Iowa Senate Democrats having broken Republicans' supermajority in the chamber. www.thegazette.com/news/state/i...

As 100th day passes, Iowa lawmakers’ work on property taxes, eminent domain unfinished A target for finishing the year’s work, the 2026 session’s 100th day passed without agreement on top issues like property taxes and eminent domain.

Day 100 of the 2026 session of the Iowa Legislature came and went - and along with it, legislators' per diem - with much work to do before adjournment. @tjbarton83.bsky.social, @mmarchelhoff.bsky.social and I offer this post-deadline state of the session update: www.thegazette.com/news/state/a...

Whitver emotional in Iowa Senate retirement speech Former Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver thanked his fellow senators and his family as he prepares to retire from Legislature to focus on his health challenges.

ICYMI: Yesterday was an emotional one in the Iowa Senate as former Majority Leader Jack Whitver, who is stepping down to focus on his health challenges, gave his retirement remarks. www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

On Iowa Politics Podcast: Interview with former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad On Iowa Politics Podcast host Erin Murphy sat down with former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to talk about current events and reflect on Branstad's legacy as the longest serving Governor

As with all our podcast episodes, you can watch on YouTube, listen at your preferred Gazette or Lee newspaper website (I heart thegazette.com!), or listen on your favorite audio streaming service. www.thegazette.com/news/politic...

The latest On Iowa Politics Podcast interview episode is on the air, and it's with former Iowa Gov. and U.S. ambassador to China Terry Branstad. Current events. History. We covered it all. Check it out.

Former Iowa Gov. Branstad on Republican gubernatorial primary drama: ‘I don’t think that’s a good thing’ Branstad, the Republican former Iowa governor, doesn’t like seeing Republican candidates for governor attacking each other the way some have recently.

And we have some news about next week's episode ... www.thegazette.com/news/politic...

On Iowa Politics Podcast: Updates from the gubernatorial campaign trail and Sen. Chuck Grassley This week, drama and policy drops in the gubernatorial campaign, Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley in the Quad Cities, a Western Iowa tie to the Epstein files, and a terrific

We just recorded a new On Iowa Politics podcast. So many great topics from a news-packed week, so many great discussions. Listen on your favorite streaming service or watch here: www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

Iowa gubernatorial candidate Feenstra on state budget: ‘We might have to reduce spending’ Iowa Republican candidate for governor Randy Feenstra said the state may need to reduce spending rather than rely on reserve funds.

Iowa Republican candidate for governor Randy Feenstra on state budget shortfall: “We might have to reduce spending.” www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

Eddie Andrews calls on Adam Steen to drop campaign for Iowa governor Andrews said if Steen “had honor” he would drop out after Steen’s campaign helped a donor challenge Andrews’ spot on the primary ballot

At a county party fundraiser last night at which the Iowa Republican candidates for governor spoke, Eddie Andrews called on Adam Steen to drop out in the wake of Steen’s staff helping a donor challenge Andrews’ spot on the ballot (unsuccessfully). www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

Also, check out my story to hear from the individual who challenged the signatures of Republican Iowa gubernatorial candidate Eddie Andrews.

Iowa congressional candidate off the ballot; gubernatorial candidate’s fate still uncertain A state panel removed 1 Congressional and 2 statehouse candidates from the ballot; it still must decide the fate of a gubernatorial candidate.

* One Congressional candidate failed to survive a challenge and will not be on the ballot.

* Two statehouse candidates suffered similar fates.

* One statehouse candidate survived a challenge.

* One gubernatorial candidate's fate remains TBD. www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

Big tasks remain as Iowa lawmakers wind down 2026 session On the to-do list: reach agreements on property taxes and eminent domain for CO2 pipelines, and craft a $9 billion budget with a $1 billion shortfall

Second funnel magical mystery multimedia tour:

Print: www.thegazette.com/news/politic... and www.thegazette.com/news/politic...

TV: www.iowapbs.org/shows/iowapr...

Podcast: www.thegazette.com/news/politic...

Radio: Coming up at noon on Iowa Public Radio's "River to River"

Iowa property tax legislation moving, but final agreement elusive Republican Iowa lawmakers are advancing bills designed to address homeowners’ property taxes, but a final agreement among leaders remains elusive.

"But Erin, what about property taxes? Where does that legislation stand?"

Boy, you're awfully demanding. Fortunately for you, we covered that, too. www.thegazette.com/news/politic...

Bills limiting Iowa governor’s authority survive session deadline In a momentous final 24 hours of the Iowa Legislature’s second “funnel” week, some major policy proposals advanced while others fell short.

It was an impactful final 24 hours into the Iowa Legislature's second and final "funnel" deadline. Check out our team coverage to read what made the cut and what did not. www.thegazette.com/news/politic...

Bills to limit Iowa governor’s authority seen by Democrats as preemptive strike ahead of 2026 election Republicans are running bills that would restrict the Iowa governor’s authority; Democrats see them as an attempt to hamstring a future Democratic governor

What's behind these bills designed to limit the authority and powers of Iowa's governor? My story explores ... www.thegazette.com/news/politic...

thegazette.com Local Iowa news headlines, sports, obituaries, opinion, photos and podcasts by local journalists. Independent and family-owned. Subscribe now.

new website design, who dis www.thegazette.com

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.
You can listen to or watch our podcast.
You should listen to or watch our podcast where we talk about Iowa politics and government.
Here is the newest episode of our podcast.
www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...

Families of Iowa Guard soldiers killed in Syria will be State of the Union guests of Iowa Congressional members Various family members of Staff Sgts. Edgar Torres-Tovar and William Nathaniel Howard, who were killed in a Dec. 13 attack, will be guests of Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson and...

Families of two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in action in Dec. in Syria will be guests of Sen. Joni Ernst and Reps. Ashley Hinson and Zach Nunn for State of the Union on Tuesday night. www.thegazette.com/federal-gove...

Which bills survived the Iowa Legislature's first key deadline? Policy bills that were not passed out of a committee by Friday are considered no longer eligible for further consideration this year

Did?

Didn't?

LIST: www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Former candidate Sage endorses Turek, criticizes Wahls in Iowa Democrats' U.S. Senate primary Sage, who withdrew from the election Sunday, said he trusts Turek and appreciates his authenticity while saying he feels Wahls is 'artificial' and a 'career politician'

www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

Iowa Democrat Sage suspends campaign for U.S. Senate Sage's exit leaves 2 Democrats — state legislators Zach Wahls and Josh Turek — vying for the party's nomination in Iowa's open-seat U.S. Senate election

And then there were two:
Democrat Nathan Sage suspends his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Iowa, leaving state legislators Zach Wahls and Josh Turek vying for the party’s nomination. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

On Iowa Politics Podcast: Unpacking controversial bills at the Iowa Capitol YouTube video by The Gazette

Another great episode, a must-watch/listen.
* Althea's column on a sensitive topic
* A key Iowa political figure stepping back
* Controversial bills in the Legislature
* Da Bears da Bears da Bears
* A note about a colleague that I'd like y'all to hear
youtu.be/krlsMK_DBxQ?...

a man with a mustache is laughing with his mouth open in a blue shirt . ALT: a man with a mustache is laughing with his mouth open in a blue shirt .

Iowa statehouse journalists irl this morning looking at today's cartoonishly hectic legislative schedule at the end of this cartoonishly hectic legislative week:

Iowa VA facilities to be named in honor of National Guard soldiers killed in Syria Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a former Iowa National Guard officer, is introducing legislation that will name facilities in the soldiers' hometowns of Des Moines and Marshalltown.

VA facilities in Des Moines and Marshalltown will be named in honor of 2 Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in action in Syria last year under legislation introduced by Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

www.thegazette.com/federal-gove...

On Iowa Politics Podcast: Congressional Race Fundraising, Straw Polls and Iowa Legislature Edition This week on the On Iowa Politics podcast, we discuss Congressional fundraising, caucus intrigue for both parties, news from the Iowa Legislature and more.

Last night, the On Iowa Politics podcast was named best news podcast by the Iowa Newspaper Association. Awards are not why I do this, but the honor gives me an excuse to praise our team, of which I am immensely proud to be a part, and thank our listeners. www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...

New UI research on Iowa's high cancer rate reveals troubled counties, high lung cancer rates Linn County is among roughly a dozen Iowa counties with significantly higher overall cancer rates, and advanced stage lung cancer is particularly problematic statewide, according to preliminary snapsh...

Yesterday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and UI Public Health researchers revealed preliminary findings from their search for the drivers of Iowa's abnormally high cancer rates. The early findings are fascinating, and there is a lot of good info here. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Future legal path for Trump's lawsuit against Iowa paper, pollster debated, judge pledges ruling soon A Polk County judge will determine whether the case should proceed to discovery, be paused until President Trump is out of office, or dismissed

Lawyers argued Friday how the trial in President Trump's lawsuit against the Register and former pollster Ann Selzer over a pre-2024 election Iowa Poll should continue (if at all). My report from the Polk Co. Courthouse summarizes the arguments. www.thegazette.com/crime-courts...

The crowd beginning to file in for President Donald Trump’s event today in suburban Des Moines. Trump is scheduled to speak at 3 p.m. Was already a significant protest presence outside the venue a short while ago.

Some reading prep while you wait:
www.thegazette.com/nation-world...

Pulitzer-Prize winning editor joins Gazette as president, publisher The new president & publisher will oversee The Gazette and 11 community newspapers for Adams MultiMedia in Iowa.

www.thegazette.com/news/pulitze...

And that's it! You are now fully caught up on the annual Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau's legislative preview series. It's all you could possibly want to know about what to expect in the 2026 session and more. (Probably much more.)

Thanks for reading, and follow us all session!