Iowa Politics

The Des Moines Water Works is exploring a plan to build a set of alluvial groundwater wells as a way to lessen its reliance on the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, which have been polluted with agricultural runoff for years. The $30 million plan would represent a philosophical shift for the utility.

Iowa Democrats are asking the Biden administration to conduct an investigation into the killings of two Iowa Department of Corrections staffers, who were allegedly bludgeoned to death by two inmates. The attack has underscored understaffing, overcrowding and safety concerns at the facilities.

The third candidate vying to be the next president of the University of Iowa has spent much of her career teaching and writing about disability and employment rights law. Wendy Hensel currently serves as the chief academic officer at Georgia State University in Atlanta, and presents herself as an innovator who’s spent her career focused on equity and problem solving.

Host Ben Kieffer is joined by Iowa State Representatives Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines and Phyllis Thede of Davenport to talk about the trial of Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, for the murder of George Floyd and the failure to move any racial justice legislation through the Iowa Statehouse this session.

Host Ben Kieffer speaks with U.S. Senator Charles Grassley about a range of issues and listener questions, including whether large tech companies should be broken up for not allowing conservative viewpoints to be shared on their platforms. Grassley says he's not willing to go that far, yet.

Johnson County Supervisor Janelle Rettig is resigning her position. Rettig made the announcement over the weekend, citing personal health concerns that stem from Lyme Disease. Rettig also stated she wanted to step down as the coronavirus crisis was “concluding."

Prison reform advocates say incarcerated individuals have been devastated by last month’s killings of two staffers at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. The tragedy has shaken both Department of Corrections and employees and inmates, many of whom knew the victims personally and continue to mourn them.

Iowa City’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission resumed its operations Thursday night, after a temporary suspension put in place by city officials was lifted. At the same time, local Black Lives Matter activists held an organizing meeting for their own Peoples Truth & Reckoning Commission.

The second candidate interviewing to be the next president of the University of Iowa comes from the state university system in neighboring Illinois. Barbara Wilson, a top administrator at the University of Illinois system visited campus Thursday, taking questions and meeting with school leaders.

Host Ben Kieffer speaks with U.S. Congresswoman Cindy Axne.