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Here First podcast from IPR
Here First
Monday – Friday before 7 a.m.

Start your day with the essentials. Coffee. Breakfast. And the local news you need to know. Host Meghan McKinney rises bright and early to bring you the top news stories from around Iowa in under 10 minutes. Wake up, grab that coffee and get your news Here First. You can support what you hear on this podcast at ipr.org/donate

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Latest Episodes
  • Republicans and Democrats held big rallies in central Iowa over the weekend, with Election Day just about two months away. The price of ground beef has passed $7 a pound, and an economist is not confident it will come down soon. And the DNR has been looking into a strange smell people have complained about in far eastern Iowa.
  • Black Hills Energy is facing scrutiny from Iowa utility regulators. Libertarian candidates for governor and in the 3rd Congressional District have lost a legal challenge aimed at putting their names on the November ballot. Forecasters say we've moved into what could become one of the strongest El Niños in recorded history, and the Midwest Newsroom and Harvest Public Media report that higher grocery prices are especially hard on older adults on fixed incomes.
  • Iowa stands to get more than 125 million dollars from the settlement between tech giant Meta and 47 states. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek says water quality issues need to be addressed to help lower the state’s cancer rates. And the centerpiece of Dubuque’s parks system is getting money to help restore several buildings.
  • The Democrat running for state auditor shares his thoughts on how transparent private school budgets should be. Some 8th graders will be allowed to play varsity sports this school year. And how is the eastern Iowa community of Lansing doing as its iconic steel bridge is closed?
  • There measles outbreak in southern Iowa is growing. Unionized John Deere workers have said no to a proposed contract. And Iowa Public Radio has announced a new CEO.
  • U.S. cattle producers aren't pleased with President Trump's plan to lower beef prices. The Democrat candidate for Iowa secretary of agriculture shares his clean water plan. And a judge will decide this week if some Libertarian candidates can be on the Nov. ballot.
  • Several Trump cabinet officials have visited Iowa recently. A western Iowa community is dealing with the environmental fallout of a Cold War missile site over 60 years after it was deactivated. And how are international students feeling about stricter visa rules?
  • Some cities have turned off their automated license plate readers. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig makes his case to be reelected. And state Attorney General Brenna Bird says wants to continue protecting the second amendment if reelected.
  • Republican candidate for governor Zach Lahn says he supports a tobacco tax. The candidates for secretary of state talked to voters at the state fair. And Iowa is starting a foster care diversion program next year.
  • State officials have confirmed a measles outbreak in southern Iowa. The U.S. health secretary was in Iowa to talk about the new presidential fitness test. And Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Hinson says she wants to address health care costs.