On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This week on the On Iowa Politics podcast, we talk about the No Kings rallies in Iowa, Rob Sand’s 100th town hall, and Iowa’s DOGE report.

This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read stories featured in this episode:

2:45 ‘I can’t stand it anymore’: Sioux City No Kings Rally brings out protestors of all kinds: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/government-politics/article_bcc8195e-08f7-4fa9-b4a9-1effc6bb3aa3.html

12:17 ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump bring a street party vibe to cities nationwide: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/no-kings-protests-against-trump-bring-a-street-party-vibe-to-cities-nationwide/

20:50 Hinson’s fundraising extends her dominance in Iowa Republicans’ U.S. Senate primary: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/hinsons-fundraising-extends-her-dominance-in-iowa-republicans-u-s-senate-primary/

20:53 Iowa's 2026 congressional race heats up with millions raised, crowded fields: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/iowas-2026-congressional-races-heat-up-with-millions-raised-crowded-fields/

21:08 Norris ends Senate campaign citing need to focus on addressing Des Moines superintendent ‘crisis’: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/norris-ends-senate-campaign-citing-need-to-focus-on-addressing-des-moines-superintendent-crisis/

21:12 Rod Blum ends comeback bid for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District seat: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/rod-blum-ends-comeback-bid-for-iowas-2nd-congressional-district-seat/

21:49 Iowa Governor candidate Rob Sand ends statewide tour with reform message: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/iowa-governor-candidate-rob-sand-ends-statewide-tour-with-reform-message/

28:00 Here’s what recommendations are in the newly unveiled Iowa DOGE Task Force’s report: https://qctimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_1529cd3e-a497-4de0-b4ec-72c961c833bb.html

This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon.

Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com