Peter Bognanni fell into YA fiction by accident. His new book, 'How to Lose Yourself Completely', is an outlet for his experience coming to terms with anxiety as a teen. On this episode, we talk with Bognanni, an award-winning novelist and Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduate about his new book and his own mental health experiences. Then, we talk with 'New York Times' best-selling author Loryn Brantz about her new children’s book, 'I Am a Spicy Nugget.'
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Under a bill on its way to the governor's desk, prospective foster care parents couldn't be denied licensure due to their sincerely held moral and religious beliefs around gender identity and sexual orientation. Opponents of the bill say it could harm LGBTQ youth in foster care. -
Foster parent training will be based on a prospective parent's lived and professional experience under a new law set to take effect July 1. Some training topics are required, as well as safety vetting and background checks. -
Mothers and infants in the U.S. without legal status and some lawfully present immigrants would be barred from food assistance under a bill that passed the Iowa House Tuesday. The bill would also expand Medicaid eligibility for employed people with disabilities.
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On this Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe speaks with experts in caregiving and those caught in this "sandwich generation," balancing care for aging parents and children. (This show originally aired May 22, 2025.) -
Some Iowa physicians are concerned that the federal government is reducing the number of broadly recommended vaccines for children, from 17 vaccines to 11. -
A study by the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence found that women and children make up the majority of victims of domestic violence homicides in the state. According to the lead researcher, access to guns and a lack of affordable housing could be contributing factors.
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Over 60,000 Iowans participate in WIC, which provides food assistance, nutrition education and counseling to new and expecting mothers and children under 5. The state has indicated it will maintain services, but long-term funding is uncertain. -
Actor and woodworker Nick Offerman encourages kids and their parents to work with their hands and embrace tools as a superpower. -
The Iowa Department of Education reports a significant increase in the number of students participating in work-based learning. Last year, 20% more high school seniors took part in career-training experiences, like internships and apprenticeships.
