River to River

While the Iowa Senate passed a bill that would ban motorists' handheld use of cell phones behind the wheel in 2023, it failed to advance in this year's session after the proposal was combined with legislation that would ban traffic enforcement cameras.

Over a beer at Big Grove in Cedar Rapids, Iowa commentators discuss the latest headlines, including a recently passed foreign aid package and an Iowa law allowing teachers and school staff to carry guns in school.

More than one in 10 young adults in the country regularly turn to e-cigarettes.

The bill, passed with the Senate voting 79 to 18, also includes a provision that could lead to a Tik Tok ban.

The Congressional Gold Medal was recently awarded to living and deceased members of the Ghost Army, a World War II deception unit that was kept secret for half a century after the war.

The Iowa Legislature adjourned this past weekend, the eighth session in a row with Republican control.

Storms tore through parts of the Midwest this week, resulting in tornadoes in multiple states, including Iowa.

Economists say that traditional indicators are favorable, yet one in six Iowans has trouble making ends meet. Exploring the disconnect between good economic news and how Iowans experience the economy

Political scholars analyze the latest headlines, including the start of the fraud trial against Donald Trump, President Biden campaigning in Pennsylvania and the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas.

A cancer cluster in Illinois was connected to a nearby chemical plant that emitted carcinogenic ethylene, a chemical targeted by new Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

As a now ex-University of Iowa employee lied about his identity, the real William Woods ended up in a mental health facility after trying to convince authorities he was who he said he was.

Growing up in a deeply evangelical Midwest family, NPR's Sarah McCammon was strictly taught to fear God, obey him and not question the faith.

Iowa's six-week abortion ban cleared a legislative hurdle this week, though it's still blocked until the state supreme court rules on an appeal.

Experts discuss how to make the workplace better for people on the autism spectrum

Iowa Republicans are currently working on a constitutional amendment that would require a flat tax rate and could raise the bar for increasing personal and corporate taxes in the future.

A former staff member of the Des Moines Public Library's North Side branch recently filed a lawsuit against the city and library system, alleging the library's policies, procedures and staff training are inadequate for addressing inappropriate patron behavior.

In 1869, Iowa was directly in the path of a total solar eclipse.

Fifteen years ago on April 3, Iowa became the third state to establish marriage equality. Now, over a decade later, LGBTQ issues are still hotly debated.

Iowa has had the third largest total of violent tornadoes since 1950, behind Oklahoma and Texas.

There’s a mix of red and blue politics across the Midwest. Statehouse journalists share updates on new and proposed legislation in neighboring states.

Caitlin Clark is a basketball phenomenon, catapulting women’s sports to a level previously untouched.

Artificial intelligence has been the subject of many dystopian novels and movies, but it's become apparent that AI will intersect with more and more aspects of our lives and careers. On this River to River, how AI can be wielded as a tool, and the concerns that make that future murky.

Political analysts discuss top stories, including FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the war in Gaza, criminal charges against a former president and more.

Frank Langfitt spent nearly two decades as an international correspondent reporting from more than 50 countries and territories. Now, he covers threats to democracy at home and abroad.

Reynolds’ 80-page bill, introduced to the legislature in February, lays out a plan to reshape mental health and substance use treatment services offered in Iowa.

A Haitian-born University of Iowa professor is working to raise awareness about the Caribbean nation of about 11.9 million people on the brink of famine.

After stepping down as anchor of the PBS Newshour, Judy Woodruff has been traveling the country to better understand what divides Americans in her latest reporting project, America at a Crossroads.

The latest Grinnell College poll shows Americans' attitudes on the Biden/Trump rematch, election integrity, the war in Gaza, children and social media and more

Iowa lawmakers have passed their second funnel deadline of the 2024 legislative session. Numerous bills made it past the crucial deadline, but many others failed to meet the requirements to move forward.

Discussing headlines from around the state, including the closure of a Tyson plant in Perry, the acquittal of a trans Iowan on charges related to a protest, how Iowans are observing Ramadan and the war in Gaza continues and more.

An ISU project could bring a resilient energy source with stable prices to the city of Montezuma, which could be replicated across the state.

Political scientists discuss top headlines of the week, including responses to Biden's State of the Union address and his comments on Israel.

A Des Moines-area nonprofit has been holding youth town halls, a chance for students to bring their concerns directly to faculty and administrators — and the program has yielded some results.

On this legislative episode of River to River, we look at some of the bills regarding reproductive health that have advanced at the Iowa Capitol.

President Joe Biden referenced former president Donald Trump's response to the Perry High School shooting in his State of the Union Thursday night.

Examining the history behind the Israel-Hamas war and hearing from Iowans who have been affected

At the end of Super Tuesday, Nikki Haley withdrew from the Presidential Primary without endorsing Former President Donald Trump.

Iowa has among the fewest number of OB-GYN specialists per capita of any state in the country, according to 2022 data from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

One can find unfounded conspiracy theories throughout U.S. history. On this episode of River to River — how conspiracy theories take root, grow and do real damage.

Ukrainian refugees have made a home for themselves in Sioux City, a little over two years since Russia invaded Ukraine.

A one-acre solar farm produces as much energy as approximately 100 acres of ethanol from corn. Why isn't Iowa taking advantage?

Iowa political experts analyze the latest headlines including results from the Michigan primary and the faction of Democrats who voted "uncommitted" in protest of President Biden's response to the war in Gaza.

Experts discuss the role of alcohol use in developing cancer, along with other findings from the latest Cancer in Iowa report.

Proposals to overhaul Iowa’s AEAs and address school safety, and a bill allowing state agencies to hire private auditing firms have been advanced by state lawmakers.

Best-selling author and climate law expert, Rob Verchick, examines the impact of climate change and makes the case for "climate resilience."

Political experts analyze the latest headlines, including the elimination of gender balance requirements for boards and commissions that passed the Iowa Senate, an Alabama court ruling that frozen embryos have the same rights as children and more.

Iowa lawmakers just passed their first funnel deadline of the 2024 legislative session.

Two cicada broods that haven't overlapped since 1803 will emerge simultaneously this year. This won't happen again for 221 years.

Miranda Rights include a right to an attorney, but that right doesn't mean that an attorney will be free in states like Iowa. A Marshall Project investigation found Iowa imposes some of the highest fees in the nation.

Political scientists offer context and analysis of the week's political headlines, including the House impeachment of the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, the special election in New York, Senate advancement of military aid packages and more.

Writers with different perspectives reflect on the Ukraine war nearly two years after Russia invaded the country.

This week Iowa lawmakers face their first deadline to keep bills alive this legislative session.

An Iowa native and former NFL kicker hopes for a Cyclone to Hawkeye touchdown pass during Sunday's Super Bowl game between the Chiefs and the 49ers.

A man of working class origins who overcame severe alcoholism to become the governor of Iowa and a U.S. Senator — on this episode of River to River, the life of Harold Hughes.

Calling on President Biden to enforce current immigration policies, Governor Reynolds has dismissed the need for new immigration law.

One month after the Perry High School shooting, we hear three perspectives on how to make schools safe.

The state of Iowa has nine Area Education Agencies that fill in the gaps for K-12 schools by offering disability and specialized services. Gov. Kim Reynolds thinks the agencies need to limit their scope, which has parents and educators concerned.

Five students from North High School in Des Moines have been spending most of their free time for the last two months developing an app to aid a lunar expedition.

Author Jerry Harrington discusses his new biography on Iowa. Governor and Senator Harold Hughes.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has denied pushing to kill the Senate's pending immigration deal to help former president Donald Trump on the campaign trail.

An Iowan diagnosed with Alzheimer's and a dementia specialist discuss the latest research on dementia and what people can do to treat and prevent it.

Officials at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are alleged to have lied to their own agents in pushing forward an investigation into online gambling by University of Iowa and Iowa State University student athletes.

A new report from the Treatment Advocacy Center shows that Iowa is last in the country for the number of state psychiatric beds, offering only two per 100,000 residents.

Connie Boesen, the first female mayor in Des Moines' history, joins the program to talk about her plans for the city.

Should presidential hopeful Nikki Haley remain optimistic after Trump's win in New Hampshire?

As former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin was preparing to retire after serving 40 years in Congress, he founded The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement in 2013 to carry on his legacy and policy work.

A number of state boards and commissions are on the chopping block. The Home State series continues with Tom Byrne, of Delaware Public Media, discussing Joe Biden's rise to the presidency and current bid for reelection.

Psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and MDMA have become a very active area of medical research.

Iowans share their experiences with food insecurity, and experts discuss what can be done about it.

The Republican party belongs to Donald Trump after his victory Monday night.

Gov. Kim Reynolds endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. How does this impact her standing with GOP voters after Donald Trump dominated the Iowa caucuses?

It's caucus day, and this year marks big changes for the Democratic caucus, while Republican caucus-goers will follow a familiar process.

Multiple rounds of heavy snow have pummeled Iowa this week, with temperatures expected dip below zero on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Organizers of the MLK NOW event discuss challenges Black Iowans face and how to address them. And Brian Lehrer offers a Home State View of frontrunner Donald Trump.

Increasing minimum pay for teachers and reducing the income tax to a flat 3.5% by 2025 were among Governor Kim Reynolds' proposals in her annual Condition of the State Tuesday.

Seven Ukrainian exchange students were in Iowa as they watched Russian forces invade their home country in February 2022.

The 2024 Iowa legislative session gaveled in Monday.

A Perry religious leader believes her community will eventually come out stronger following a fatal school shooting at Perry High School Thursday.

A Washington Post reporter discusses his investigation into numerous cases of neglect at assisted living facilities around the country.

Political scientists discuss the upcoming GOP caucuses, the blocking of an Iowa law concerning books in schools, and more.

Incumbent candidates have publicity and experience on their side. However, eleven presidents still have lost their reelection bids.

Presidential candidates have been rewarded in the Iowa caucuses for spending a lot of time traveling the state and meeting with voters. That strategy doesn’t seem to be working for those running against former President Donald Trump in 2024.

Everything seemed to go well during the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses — until it came time for results. Welcome back to Caucus Land.

A look at dry January, plus a study by University of Iowa researchers shows a link between the location of a brain injury to levels in depression in patients.

A new report examines current research about social media's effects on the mental and physical health of young people.

The Colorado Supreme Court voted 4-3 this week to declare former President Donald Trump ineligible for the state's presidential primary ballot.

Iowan's book explores the factors driving up housing costs across the country.

As 2023 comes to a close, River to River host Ben Kieffer asks IPR reporters about the biggest stories they covered this year and what they'll be watching in the coming year.

Host Ben Kieffer and guests discuss the week's headlines from around the state, including the controversial Satanic Temple of Iowa display at the Capitol, UNI faculty criticizing the university for how it allocates funds and more.

An Iowa State political expert co-published a book this year, Walking the Gendered Tightrope: Theresa May and Nancy Pelosi as Legislative Leaders, which analyzes gendered expectations in high offices.

The United Nations General Assembly Tuesday voted to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in a rebuke to the United States, which has repeatedly blocked ceasefire calls in the UN’s Security Council. And according to a new Iowa poll, former President Donald Trump has increased his lead in the race for the GOP nomination.

The United Nations climate talks at COP28 are winding down in Dubai, and on this River to River, we hear from some of the Iowans who were in attendance.

Following a summer of striking, professionals in the show business industry discuss the new contract and more.

Our nation’s founders gathered in taverns for lively conversation — and during Pints & Politics presented by The Gazette and IPR — host Ben Kieffer and panelists do just that.

How did the universe begin? How will it end? This episode of River to River tackles those and other big questions.

With less than 40 days until the Iowa Republican caucus, Ron DeSantis wraps up his 99-county tour and Nikki Haley launches her first official campaign television ad.

River to River host Ben Kieffer visits an Illinois dispensary 15 minutes from the Iowa border to see how much of its customer base comes from the Hawkeye state where recreational marijuana use remains illegal.

What happens to your trash and recycling, from your curb to the landfill and everywhere in between?

Two lawsuits were filed this week challenging a state law that bans books that include sexual content from school libraries, among other things.