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
Latest Episodes
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The names have been released of the two Iowa National Guard Soldiers who were killed in Syria over the weekend. House Republicans have released a health care plan. And the challenge of mental wellness after surviving cancer. -
Two Iowa National Guard soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed in Syria. Federal homelessness funding is in limbo. And tax credits for home solar expire at the end of the year.
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Iowa's U.S. Senators voted for the health care plan that would provide health savings accounts instead of ACA tax credits. Iowa state leaders talk about the expected deficit for next year. And how are some states stepping up for animals that are losing federal protections?
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Iowa's largest teacher union is voicing their principles. Four international students at the University of Iowa have had their statuses restored. And what does a study show about data privacy with automated license plate readers?
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Public employees shouldn't see changes to Iowa's public pension system anytime soon. Iowa land values are slightly up from last year. And who won last night's special election for an Iowa House seat?
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A farmer bailout has been announced. A Somali immigrant rights advocate is speaking out against President Trump's recent hateful comments about Somali immigrants. And Iowa Democrats want to be first or early in the nation for the 2028 presidential nominating process.
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Conservative political commentators spoke at the inaugural event for the new Center for Intellectual Freedom. Some federal grants for museums and libraries were reinstated. And a power company has gotten approval for a project that would provide more power to new data centers in eastern Iowa.
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Unionized Starbucks workers in Des Moines and Iowa City are striking. Retiring ISU President Wendy Wintersteen reflects on her career. And Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson wouldn't say if she supports extending ACA tax credits.
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Both Republican and Democratic state lawmakers are planning on property tax relief in the next legislative session. The Iowa Board of Regents has a new president. And the projected investment for a data center in Cedar Rapids has gone up.
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Groups supporting refugees are calling on lawmakers to create a path to permanent residency for Afghan nationals. Immigrant rights advocates are still accompanying immigrants to their check-in appointments in Cedar Rapids. And nurses in some central Iowa hospitals are getting ready to vote to unionize.