Katherine Perkins
Executive Producer of Talk Shows & Program Director News & TalkExpertise: Management and team building, audio editing, copy editing, interviewing, hosting, journalism ethics and building relationships in underserved communities, all in order to help IPR listeners and readers better understand, appreciate and explore their state
Education: Masters degree from Sangamon State University; Bachelors degree from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Favorite Iowa Destination: Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
Experience:
Has served as the Executive Producer for Talk Shows since 2013 and the Program Director News/Talk for IPR since 2014
- Served as a producer and the host of Talk of Iowa and Midday on WOI Radio and, later, Iowa Public Radio
- Served as Morning Edition host and program director for KTPR in Ft. Dodge
- Has hosted a talk show live on C-Span
- Led planning and coordination of five community listening sessions across Iowa in 2023
Served as executive producer for live caucus night coverage in 2020, which was carried by multiple stations across the country
- Has led presidential and midterm election night coverage since 2010
- Is a multi-award-winning host and reporter
- Has reported and produced features for Morning Edition
- Led efforts to establish IPR's participation in NPR’s Next Generation Radio in Iowa
- Has taught classes on reporting and journalism at Iowa Central Community College
My Favorite Conversations
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On this special edition of Talk of Iowa, a taste of the storytelling event, Stories to Tell My Daughter -
The history of the Civil Rights Movement can feel far away.
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In her memoir, Lucinda Williams explains how she spent her career making music on her own terms.
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At 42-million strong, many political pundits are watching how Gen-Z, those between the ages of 18 and 27, will vote in this election. This hour, we explore their thoughts going into the election.
My Latest Stories
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How women and men perceive their safety is often very different, as is how we socially condition girls and boys to think about their safety. Experts say reframing the conversation around gender-based violence is key to prevention. -
Men from a variety of different backgrounds with connections to Iowa reflect on what it means to be a man in 2025. -
IPR held events at Drake and Iowa State University to discuss politics with Gen Z voters.
My Latest Podcasts
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For years, the Iowa State Patrol has set a goal of keeping traffic deaths below 300. In 2025, they not only met that goal, but had the fewest fatalities since 1925 at 259. We discuss some of the factors that have led to this decrease, including the hands-free driving law that took effect July 2025, with full enforcement beginning in January. We also learn about Alive at 25, a safety initiative launched by the Iowa Department of Transportation last fall to improve driving behavior among the state's youngest drivers. (This show was originally produced Jan. 8, 2026.)
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When temperatures drop in the fall, suddenly the outdoors becomes insect-free. That doesn’t feel like much of a mystery. But when temperatures rise in the spring and suddenly insects emerge, it raises questions, like how do these tiny creatures survive in subzero conditions? Entomologist Laura Iles demystifies this phenomenon. Later, horticulturist Aaron Steil joins the conversation to answer listeners' questions. To further grow your gardening knowledge, sign up for our Garden Variety newsletter. And check out all the episodes of Garden Variety, the horticulture podcast for all the things you’d like to grow or grow better.
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A few days of sunny weather in late winter or early spring, and the bugs are immediately back. It raises questions like, how do these tiny creatures survive in subzero conditions? We explore that question with Laura Iles, director of the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center.
