After two centuries of expanding democracy, why has America become more unequal — not less? On this episode we listen to highlights from a recent conversation with political scientist Jeffrey Winters of Northwestern University. His new book, The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy, examines the failure of democracy to address wealth inequality and why this issue is by design. This conversation was recorded on May 7 at the Englert Theatre, presented by the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council.
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In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the definition of the Waters of the United States in the case Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. The result of that decision is estimated to have eliminated more than half of the nation's wetland acres eligible for protections by the Clean Water Act. Host Ben Kieffer discusses that decision and how it impacts Iowa with Royal Gardner, author of 'Waters of the United States: POTUS, SCOTUS, WOTUS, and the Politics of a National Resource.' (This episode was originally produced in October 2025.) -
Political scientists talk about the top stories of the week, including the historical No Kings protests, Trump's surprise Iran announcement and threats to leave NATO, birthright citizenship at the Supreme Court and more.
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These Iowa siblings were suspended for protesting the Vietnam War at school. They took their case to the Supreme Court — and won — in Tinker v. Des Moines.
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After the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs Friday, farm groups called on the Trump administration to pursue a different approach to trade. The president of the Iowa Farmers Union wants to see more congressional oversight. -
In 1965, John and Mary Beth Tinker protested the Vietnam War by wearing black arm bands to school. The incident led to a landmark Supreme Court decision that guaranteed free speech rights for public school students. The Tinkers reflect on this history and present day threats to the First Amendment. Later, a new play from playwright Megan Gogerty works through her complicated feelings about her father and family's history as a sixth generation Iowan. -
Water: who controls it, who protects it and who decides its fate?
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Political turmoil and trade disputes are putting new pressure on U.S. farmers. Today, political analysis of the latest news.
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Political scientists analyze how the new tax and policy legislation will affect Iowans and other major headlines.
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The U.S. Supreme Court has issued decisions concerning gender-affirming care, birthright citizenship, religious charter schools and more. Legal experts discuss the rulings and their implications.