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Eight states including Iowa sue OpenAI over child safety risks Oct 17, 2026

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Eight states, including Iowa, are suing OpenAI. On this Newsbuzz episode, we talk with William Morris of the 'Des Moines Register' about that lawsuit. IPR's Tom Barton joins us to discuss Trump's plans for Iowa rallies before the midterms. We also talk with IPR's Eliza Billingham about an Iowa City woman who was deported to a country she’s never lived in. We talk with Courtney Crowder of the 'Des Moines Register' about the questions facing a long time Des Moines radio station. And we meet Hidayat Nodin, writer in residence from Singapore, who takes us to a world where light is rented. Then, we groove into the weekend with IPR’s Lucius Pham.

Checking in with third party and independent candidates in Iowa races Oct 16, 2026

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Republicans and Democrats aren't the only choices on Iowa ballots. On this episode, we check in with third party and independent candidates. We talk with Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate Thomas Laehn as well as three U.S. House candidates — Libertarian Rick Stewart and independent Dave Bushaw in the 2nd District, and independent Michael Bridgford in the 1st District. We discuss what it means to be running for office against the two-party system and many of the top issues on voters' minds.

Republican super PAC pulls support from Rep. Miller-Meeks' campaign Oct 15, 2026

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Twenty days before Election Day, campaigns are making their closing arguments. On this Politics Day episode, we get analysis from Jonathan Hassid of Iowa State University and Wayne Moyer of Grinnell College.

Where does religious freedom end? Oct 14, 2026

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On this episode, we discuss religious freedom ahead of the Iowa Religious Freedom Day symposium at Iowa State University. The symposium will explore religious freedom through the lens of constitutional law.

A conversation with Democratic 2nd District candidate Lindsay James Oct 13, 2026

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As early voting begins this week for the November midterm election, we continue our candidate interviews with State Rep. Lindsay James, Democratic candidate for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. James is facing Republican candidate Joe Mitchell for the open House seat. But first, what would a world without cows look like? We talk with journalists and filmmakers Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth. They spent five years and traveled to more than 40 locations for their documentary, 'World Without Cows.' The film explores the complex relationship between food and sustainability through the perspectives of farmers, scientists and environmental experts.

Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14 Oct 10, 2026

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On this Newsbuzz episode, we talk with Brianne Pfannenstiel of the 'Des Moines Register' about the midterms as the start of early voting is days away. We also learn about the price Iowa is paying for a $15 billion steel mill, discuss what people can and can't do about data centers, and hear about why families of Iowa soldiers killed in a drone strike are seeking answers.

2nd Congressional District candidate Joe Mitchell on affordability, partisanship Oct 09, 2026

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On this episode, a conversation with the Republican nominee for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District Joe Mitchell. Mitchell is facing Democratic candidate Lindsay James in the general election. We discuss affordability, the war in Iran, the trade war, how to restore faith in Congress along with other issues. But first, should it take a legislative supermajority to raise your taxes? This November, Iowans will decide whether it should take two-thirds of the legislature — not a simple majority — to raise the state income tax. We explore that proposal with political scientist Karen Kedrowski and hear from an advocate and an opponent of the proposal. (Part of this episode was originally produced Aug. 27, 2026.)

Candidates for Iowa governor talk education, economics at contentious first debate Oct 08, 2026

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Election Day is less than a month away, and early voting starts in just a week. On this Politics Day episode, we get analysis from political scientists Megan Goldberg of Cornell College and Evan Renfro of the University of Northern Iowa. They discuss the recent debate between gubernatorial candidates Zach Lahn and Rob Sand, the Iran War, the Supreme Court's new term and more.

Identifying how menopause impacts risk of stroke and dementia Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

On this episode, the science of menopause and the aging brain. Women are more vulnerable to strokes, yet they're historically underreported and underdiagnosed. On this episode, the science of menopause and the aging brain. First, University of Iowa neurologist Dr. Hannah Roeder shares how stroke risk in women nearly doubles in the decade after menopause, and the gender disparities of stroke cases, response and recovery. Then, we learn about a new study to examine whether the menopause transition quietly accelerates brain and blood vessel aging, potentially helping explain why women face higher risks of stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Finally, University of Iowa Comprehensive Stroke Center Head Dr. Enrique Leira joins to share how the Code Stroke system has improved recognition and response to strokes for the past 20 years across the state. (This episode was originally produced June 2, 2026.)

Author Mary Roach explores the strange science of rebuilding the human body Oct 06, 2026

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A conversation with best-selling author Mary Roach. Her latest book, 'Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy,' is part medical history, part investigative travelogue, part unflinching look at how far we'll go to keep the body running. We discuss the science of rebuilding the human body from 16th-century prosthetic noses to gene-edited pig hearts to hair follicles grown from stem cells.

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