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Deep-fried bubblegum and lobster corn dogs: What's cooking at the Iowa State Fair

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River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

The Iowa State Fair is known for its creative food and passionate politics, and in this week's News Buzz, we sample from both.

Host Ben Kieffer and The Des Moines Register's Stephen Gruber-Miller survey speeches from the Register's Political Soapbox. Gruber-Miller also tells us about disturbing news from the community of Hampton where police say they're investigating after racist signs were taped to multiple Hispanic-owned businesses this week.

Then, IPR’s Katarina Sostaric on the Governor’s latest rejection of the Summer EBT federal food assistance program for kids. Luke Hoffman of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition tells us about a trail connection milestone in the state, and Linh Ta of Axios offers a tour of culinary craziness at this year’s fair. And finally, we groove into the weekend with IPR’s Mark Simmet.

Guests:

  • Stephen Gruber-Miller, Iowa Statehouse and politics reporter, The Des Moines Register
  • Katarina Sostaric, state government reporter, IPR
  • Luke Hoffman, executive director, Iowa Bicycle Coalition
  • Linh Ta, Axios Des Moines
  • Mark Simmet, IPR Studio One host
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Dani Gehr is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. Since 2022, Gehr has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Katherine Perkins is IPR's Executive Producer of Talk Shows and Program Director for News/Talk. Since 2014, Perkins has managed the broadcast schedule and sound of the news and information service of Iowa Public Radio, as well as has directed the long-term planning and oversight for IPR's talk shows, Talk of Iowa and River to River. Perkins has a masters degree from Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois – Springfield).