Iowa Legislature

Former governor and ambassador Terry Branstad was honored with the state's highest award for citizens on Thursday. Branstad is the country's longest serving governor in U.S. history.

A special election on Tuesday features two candidates from the same small town in northwest Iowa. The outcome could be an indicator of political sentiment in rural Iowa after recent contests in the state — and across the country — have favored Democratic candidates.

Political scientists preview two statehouse special elections happening this December. Experts Jim McCormick and Rachel Caufield also discuss the latest candidate forums, health care tax credits and former Gov. Terry Branstad's upcoming award on this Politics Day edition of River to River.

The Polk County Board of Supervisors voted to support a network of water quality sensors in rivers and streams across Iowa. They hope other counties will follow suit to prevent a funding cliff next year.

Iowa and other states have recently passed laws that aim to help small, local pharmacies stay open. Also, a University of Iowa professor has launched an app to help first responders communicate with patients who are nonverbal or don't speak English.

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are more stable than last year, but they still face uncertainty now that the law that shifted some of their funding to school districts has fully phased in. AEA and school district leaders said they continue to see a difference in how the law is affecting small and large school districts.

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver will step down from his leadership position and will not seek reelection in 2026, he announced Tuesday, citing treatment for a brain tumor and his busy family life.

Does Iowa's special election results give indication for the 2026 midterms?

Voters in Senate District 1 will cast their ballots Tuesday for either Democrat Catelin Drey or Republican Christopher Prosch.

The number of candidates who want to replace Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst continues to grow. Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek from Council Bluffs says he knows how to win, even when Republicans outnumber Democrats in Iowa.