@laurarbelin
Reporter covering Iowa politics (and sometimes wildflowers) for the progressive website Bleeding Heartland. https://www.bleedingheartland.com Co-host of "KHOI's Capitol Week" on KHOI Radio in Ames and podcast platforms. https://laurabelin.substack.com
I remember March 11, 2020 clearly. Then State Senator Rob Hogg called for the Iowa legislature to adjourn and some people thought it was ridiculous.
By March 14 Iowa had confirmed community spread and on March 16 the legislature convened briefly to suspend its work for 2+ months.
This morning staff from the University of Iowa College of Public Health presented early findings from a state-funded study on the causes of Iowa's high cancer rate to members of two Iowa House committees.
Thanks KCRG for posting the livestream:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcEi...
I sought comment from Iowa National Guard about @jonathanlarsen.bsky.social's story.
They told me: “The Iowa National Guard does not use this kind of language or invoke religious prophecy in connection with military operations.”
(lmk if you hear otherwise)
laurabelin.substack.com/p/iowa-angle...
If they can repeal gender identity protections at the state level, they can probably do it at the local level.
I thought last year’s law was unconstitutional but no one challenged it.
Just posted my recap of Monday night's "KHOI's Capitol Week."
First half: Iowa angles on the Iran war, and news from the governor's race.
Second half: lots of news from the Iowa legislature.
The show will never take up more than 30 minutes of your time.
laurabelin.substack.com/p/iowa-angle...
You and a lot of other people! It is so gross and disheartening.
Today Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds signed a bill banning local govts from protecting transgender residents against discrimination in civil rights ordinances.
Last week, @repaime.bsky.social spoke forcefully against what she called the "enhanced civil rights removal act." www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFuY...
Chris Murphy: "I Just came from a two hour, closed door classified briefing on the war. It just confirmed to me it's totally incoherent. We are not gonna be able to achieve any of our stated objectives ... this is a disaster of epic proportions, a 10 day debacle"
Iowa leaders attended the dignified transfer of fallen soldiers in Dover, Delaware on March 7. From left: Representative Zach Nunn, Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn (adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard), Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Governor Kim Reynolds, Senator Joni Ernst, General Randy George (chief of staff of the U.S. Army), Senator Chuck Grassley, Representative Ashley Hinson, Representative Randy Feenstra (photo released by Senator Chuck Grassley’s office)
This photo (released by Grassley's office) has generated a lot of negative comments because the Iowa pols were smiling.
Also notable: Grassley has been in the Senate so long that Randy George, whom he nominated for West Point in the 1980s, is now a general serving as the US Army chief of staff.
New post by Bruce Lear: The majority party has been in control for a decade, and Iowa schools have received insufficient state funding. It’s time for voters to shift the balance of power, so politicians can offer public schools more than Hobson’s choices.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/03/10/i...
Exclusive: As many as 150 US troops wounded so far in Iran war, sources say AP | March 10, 20262:14 PM EDT
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
I'm still working on the written recap of last night's radio show, but you can listen to "KHOI's Capitol Week" through any podcast platform, or watch here:
www.facebook.com/reel/1745370...
New post by Randy Evans: Americans are not who we are because we are the same. Americans are who we are, and our nation has long been a shining beacon, because we are all different and were brought together by that freedom to be different.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/03/09/t...
By the way I did mention my my radio show/podcast tonight the controversy over that photo showing the Iowa politicians smiling at the dignified transfer ceremony.
The last question I asked her (on Thursday) prompted her to walk out of the room without answering.
youtu.be/pw56jmbL2xg?...
It's not important, just wanted to mention (I shared the video on Friday but he always does his press avails on Thursday).
Readers: "Sad."
"These are not serious people."
"What strikes me most is that three medical professionals — a pharmacist, a dentist, and a nurse — voted to keep ivermectin language in the bill. These are people who took oaths to do no harm." #ialegis
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/03/08/o...
Forgot to share here earlier: @robsandia.bsky.social submitted a record number of signatures on his nominating papers today.
He spoke to reporters about why it was important to his campaign to collect so many signatures (including many from Rs and independents):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Ct...
You can listen to tonight's show now, through any podcast platform or smart speaker: "KHOI's Capitol Week"
Tomorrow I'll send the audio file & a detailed written recap (for those who would rather read than listen) on my free email newsletter: laurabelin.substack.com
In a couple of minutes @spencerdirks.bsky.social and I will be live on KHOI Radio to talk about the week in Iowa politics.
89.1 FM in the Ames listening area or online:
www.khoifm.org
(will be on podcast platforms later as "KHOI's Capitol Week")
The floor manager of the bill, Skyler Wheeler, also said it was important for businesses not to have to deal with a "patchwork" of civil rights ordinances.
That would only be a problem if your business model involves discrimination!
(BTW the Grassley press avail was on Thursday)
I know someone married to an oncologist. Many patients have asked their spouse about ivermectin.
So according to the WSJ a US Senator conspired with another country to manipulate the US into starting a war, am I getting this right
I went to the subcommittee on the bill. Supposedly there are companies in other states that will fly up in a small plane and release a bunch of sulphur for people who order a beautiful sunset for some occasion. I'm not against regulating stuff like that.
It's different from last year's bill, which got out of committee but never came up on the Iowa House floor.
Honestly I wouldn't even care about this bill addressing a non-existent problem, if they were also addressing real air quality and water quality issues.
www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/...
How is your day going?
My mentions are full of ivermectin truthers.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/03/08/o...
Haha! They did pass the chemtrails bill out of the Iowa House this week too!
I wonder how many people are in a position to come back. The only person I know who was laid off from VOA has had another job for nearly a year now.
Exactly right.
Sarah Longwell has said that in her focus groups immediately after the 2020 election, most Republicans thought Trump lost. But over time, when right-wing media and more establishment Rs like Kevin McCarthy went in on the lie, people thought well, there must be something to this.
I don't know that ALEC specifically is involved. A lot of these red states copy each other (e.g. anti-trans legislation) and I don't think ALEC is the only source. I think of ALEC being more about pro-corporate/anti-labor bills. But that is just my guess.
