Iowa State University

Kamyar Enshayan remembers the Iran he grew up in as vibrant, musical and secular. He left in 1978, not long before the Islamic Revolution, and never returned. In this episode, Enshayan shares his views on today's mass protests and the government's violent response. But first, Iowa State English professors Jenny Aune and Jo Mackiewicz share their research, which raises questions about how we may be attributing human qualities to artificial intelligence through language.

Paul Lasley has repaired and donated 18 used violins in the last year for students in need. Also in this episode, ISU psychology professor Doug Gentile shares how acts of kindness towards others can help us take better care of ourselves, too.

On this Newsbuzz episode, forecasts of budgeting in the 2026 legislative session, a recap of an inaugural summit at the University of Iowa's state legislature-imposed Center for Intellectual Freedom and the upcoming retirement of Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen. Also, Team USA women's wrestling coach Terry Steiner and Ukrainian wrestler Andrey Vorontsov discuss the two-week training camp they're having this month on the UI campus. This will culminate in a dual meet at the Xtream Arena on Dec. 18.

It’s no secret people are moving away from rural areas of Iowa. The exodus toward bigger cities has been growing for decades. Fewer than a quarter of Iowans live in the country. In 1960, it was around 50%. One Iowan took an unusual route to reverse that trend.

For more than 60 years, Iowa State University has sponsored an annual land survey. This year shows a small increase that lags behind inflation.

Wendy Wintersteen will retire as president of Iowa State University on Jan. 2, 2026. She started her career at ISU Extension in 1979 and rose through the academic ranks to become the land-grant university's first woman president in 2017.

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen celebrated the expansion of bioindustrial manufacturing in Iowa as they joined executives of BioMADE at the ISU BioCentury Research Farm Friday for a groundbreaking ceremony.

What’s behind Iowa’s rapid move toward the GOP? Hear the latest analysis, meet ISU’s new leader, learn how auroras lit up Iowa skies and get ready for Cranksgiving.

The Iowa Board of Regents selected David Cook as the next president of Iowa State University. Cook is an ISU alumnus and currently serves as the president of North Dakota State University. He plans to start in March, taking over from retiring President Wendy Wintersteen.

Iowa State University researchers are working with Polk County Emergency Management to develop a game to help train emergency responders and test county emergency plans.