© 2026 Iowa Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Iowa voters are concerned about high prices; encouraged by their communities

Mayberry's Coffee House and Eatery, Osceola IA
Isabella Luu
/
Iowa Public Radio
Mayberry's Coffee House in Osceola was one of four locations where we spoke to Iowans to find out what's on their minds.

Iowans have told us they’re concerned about the high cost of living, including groceries, daycare, and healthcare. And, they’re encouraged by supportive and helpful people in their communities.

Those are among the comments we heard in a series of interviews with coffee shop patrons in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Osceola and Sioux City earlier this fall. Listen to a conversation about these interviews with IPR Morning Edition Host Meghan McKinney and News Director Michael Leland.

Michael Leland is IPR's News Director, with expertise in organization, planning, listening, advocacy, editing, reporting, hosting and photography, all to help Iowans better understand their communities and the state. He's led teams of reporters across Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, and has covered issues in places as varied as Chicago and northern Canada for IPR, NPR and other media organizations. Leland is a graduate of Kansas State University.
Meghan McKinney is IPR's Morning Edition host. She holds a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University. Since 2024, McKinney has brought news and features from IPR's reporting team to IPR's listening audience.

Election coverage you can count on.

From cancer rates to water quality, there are a lot of issues on the ballot this year. Get daily updates from the campaign trail and other news around Iowa.