A bill advanced by an Iowa House subcommittee would eliminate restrictions on open enrollment by a handful of school districts. We’ll hear that opponents say it would re-segregate schools along racial and economic lines. Plus, the Democratic National Committee holds its first meeting of the Biden era on Thursday. IPR’s Clay Masters explains the new DNC chair from South Carolina will have to consider whether Iowa should keep its place at the front of the presidential nominating process.

Iowa Republican lawmakers are advancing a proposal that would add language to the Iowa Constitution to say it doesn’t protect abortion rights. It’s the third year in a row the GOP majority have introduced this kind of proposal. Plus, an update on two Iowa men who were arrested for their alleged role in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

A second man from Iowa has been arrested by federal agents on suspicion of being among those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6 and ISU mathematicians say they’ve developed a model that factors in people’s social interactions more realistically when it comes to tracking COVID-19. Plus, telehealth visits have gone up dramatically during the pandemic but we’ll hear from Side Effects Public Media that they’re still a challenge for some older people in rural communities.

There was not a large protest on Sunday at the Iowa capitol even though an FBI warning said there could be armed protests at all 50 state capitols in the days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Plus, today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and that means virtual celebrations because of the pandemic.

Travel conditions are not advised as a major winter storm pounds Iowa and causes schools to cancel in-person classes or shift to virtual learning Friday. Plus, IPR’s Health reporter Natalie Krebs tells us about Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccine and we get a report from Harvest Public Media about the high cost of clean water in Midwest small towns.

Iowa’s U.S. House representatives split along party lines on the vote to impeach President Trump for the second time. Iowa Chief Justice Susan Christensen gave her first Condition of the Judiciary speech since she took on the Chief Justice role. Plus, IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs explains how many public health workers in the state have stayed on the forefront of the pandemic while facing some pushback from the public.

Governor Kim Reynolds gave her Condition of the State address Tuesday night. We hear about what she discussed in her primetime address from Iowa Public Radio State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric. Plus, Iowa’s three Republican members of the U.S. House say they will not vote to impeach President Trump while the state’s only House Democrat says she will vote for impeachment.

The Iowa Legislature started its 2021 session in the middle of an anti-mask mandate protest and with increased security in the wake of the U.S. Capitol attack. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric discusses the first day plus an update on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Iowa.

A legislative preview and headlines from IPR's Clay Masters.

Introducing Here First, a new podcast from Iowa Public Radio. It's a quick daily show for your workweek, and catches you up on state news as you begin your day.