More than 10,000 Iowans are living with Parkinson's disease — and one state senator believes a common weed killer may be part of the story. On this episode, we talk with state Sen. Art Staed, D-Cedar Rapids, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2024. He's been pushing to ban paraquat, a widely used herbicide tied to higher Parkinson's risk. Luke Nozicka of The Midwest Newsroom joins us to discuss his reporting on the debate over banning paraquat, and we hear from Iowan Nate Peterson who believes his own diagnosis traces back to paraquat exposure. Peterson was diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 34. Later, a conversation with 1st Congressional District candidate Democrat Christina Bohannan. Bohannan is running against incumbent Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Madeleine King and Grant Gerlock
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Iowa Public Radio
Eliza Billingham
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Iowa Public Radio
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Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is being challenged in the primary election by self-proclaimed "MAGA" Republican David Pautsch for the second time. Democrat Christina Bohannan is running against political newcomer Travis Terrell in the Democratic primary. -
Independent candidate Michael Bridgford has launched a campaign in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. He plans to harness the support of a growing number of "no party" voters to send a message about the two-party system. -
A 27-year-old from Amana jumped into the 1st Congressional District race as a Republican. Tyler Hegewald said he wants to address the housing crisis, increase abortion access and reduce college tuition.
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Iowa's 1st District Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks faced her constituents during an in-person town hall for the first time since winning reelection last November. They grilled her on President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda, her stance on the government shutdown and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act she supported. -
Lawyer and Democrat Taylor Wettach launched a campaign for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, the seat held by Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Wettach said he decided to run for office when the firm he worked for, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, struck a deal with President Donald Trump. -
President Donald Trump’s priority tax and policy bill is headed to his desk after passing the U.S. House a second time. The bill's passage received support from Iowa’s four Republican House members.
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University of Iowa law professor and Democrat Christina Bohannan announced another bid for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. It’s the third time she has tried for the seat, and it comes after a close defeat in November by incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Now, she’s using the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and DOGE as fodder for her campaign. -
Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks wins reelection in Iowa's 1st Congressional District race after a recount. The 1st District covers southeast to eastern Iowa. -
In the last presidential year election, Rep. Miller-Meeks won her Congressional seat by six votes. This year, the race is a toss-up, and neither candidate is taking any votes for granted.
