Criminal Justice

Iowa’s second funnel deadline has passed. What bills are still alive, and what does it all mean for the rest of the legislative session? Today, statehouse reporters Katarina Sostaric of IPR, Stephen Gruber-Miller of the 'Des Moines Register', and Erin Murphy of 'The Gazette' join to break it all down. The conversation covers the biggest unresolved issues shaping the session, including competing property tax proposals, ongoing debates over eminent domain and carbon pipelines, and concerns about a projected budget deficit. The group also discusses key developments in education policy, criminal justice, and health care.

Iowa’s environment and public health are under stress. IPR’s Natalie Krebs discusses the basics of the new Cancer in Iowa Report, and Jason Clayworth of Axios Des Moines talks about the state’s impaired waters. After that, a new study examines how the U.S. investigates deaths in custody. Forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell, President of the National Medical Association, discusses the study’s findings and recommendations. Finally, a conversation with the new president of Iowa State University, David Cook.

Iowa House Republicans recently passed what they call a "tough on crime" package. The package is made up of three bills — a "three strikes" sentencing law, new rules for how judges set bail and a public dashboard tracking what happens inside Iowa's courtrooms. Iowa House Republicans say this legislation will crack down on crime and make Iowans safer. Opponents argue the bills could overcrowd state prisons and burden taxpayers. On this episode, lawmakers and a defense attorney discuss the package and its potential impact.

Three bills that make up Iowa House Republicans’ “tough on crime” package cleared their first legislative hurdle in the Iowa House this week.

Veteran journalist Tom Chorneau discusses his book Mrs. Cook & The Klan, which examines an unsolved Iowa murder case from 1925. Chorneau’s true crime investigation also explains the complex social, political and cultural forces at work in 1920s America, where prohibition, the KKK's resurgence and the temperance movement created a volatile mix.This show was originally produced June 17, 2025.

In an internal meeting on Friday, the Iowa Department of Corrections told employees it is no longer pursuing privatization, saying now is not the right time. About 20% of the medical staff resigned over the past six months.

An Iowa federal judge reckons with the murders that rocked his hometown and changed the course of his life.

One of the most influential criminologists in the world explores why Americans are drawn to the true crime genre. Then, efforts to preserve a wetland in northwestern Iowa.

The Sac County Board of Supervisors picked Katie Stange to be the new sheriff last month. She's the first woman appointed to that role in more than a century.

A conversation with author Tom Chorneau on his new book "Mrs. Cook & the Klan."