Des Moines Public Schools' superintendent has resigned while also challenging his deportation order, his lawyer said today during a press conference. via AP: www.thegazette.com/education/de...

If you're wondering which political party is to blame for a potential federal government shutdown, boy howdy do I have just the inbox for you.

Every so often, because of content responsibilities off the political beat, I get to write stories like this. And oh man, should you read it. Intense, harrowing, uplifting. Great stuff here. www.thegazette.com/news/the-mos...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, her administration’s education department, and Iowa House Republicans on Saturday said more about the arrest of Des Moines Public Schools’ superintendent by federal immigration officers. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

A new legislative agenda-setting leader has been chosen in the Iowa Senate. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Firing comes a week after Board of Regents discussed Caitlyn Spencer in closed session www.thegazette.com/higher-educa...

Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia, leader of the agency that operates the state's Medicaid and public health programs, is resigning, Gov. Reynolds has announced. Garcia will be replaced by Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing Dir. Larry Johnson. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

An absolutely outstanding journalist and an even better person. I could not be more proud of and happy for @claymasters.bsky.social. And Minnesota listeners will benefit. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver will step down as leader and not seek re-election in 2026. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Just recorded this week's On Iowa Politics podcast. Should drop tomorrow a.m. I hope you do every week, but if you can, definitely make some time for this one.

In the newly open #ia02, we have a second Republican candidate: former #ialegis lawmaker and Trump administration official Joe Mitchell: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

Iowa Republican Joni Ernst announced today she will not seek re-election to a third term in the U.S. Senate. * Ernst explains why * Ernst's Senate tenure and election history * What's next for Ernst * Impact to Iowa's Senate election * Reaction + more: thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

As the youths like to say, today is giving ... www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-sta...

Iowa will have an open-seat U.S. Senate election in 2026; Republican Sen. Joni Ernst just confirmed this weekend's national reporting and announced she will not seek a third term. www.thegazette.com/national-pol...

What are the Democratic candidates for Iowa governor saying about how they would manage the state program that provides taxpayer-funded scholarships for K-12 private school tuition, including whether they would repeal it? So glad you asked. thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

ICYMI over the weekend: Voters are telling Iowa Democrats they want something different from the party. Some 2026 Dem candidates are taking new approaches with voters. We spent much of the summer talking to voters, candidates and more for this story: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

Iowa voters are telling Democrats they want something different from the party. Are the candidates listening? We spent the past few months talking to voters, candidates, party leaders and more as some Iowa Dems try out new campaign messaging this year. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

'It was a zoo.' Recalling that remarkable day, 10 years ago today at the Iowa State Fair, when Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders all dropped by. With some great help from the great Rod Boshart and the incomparable Ben Jacobs. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

Get a load of this guy ... www.thegazette.com/government-p...

Start with these amazing images, then keep going with all of The Gazette’s outstanding coverage of the 5-year anniversary of the 2020 derecho.

Our #iowastatefair candidate coverage is growing … www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

A couple weekend stories to catch up on this wonderful Monday morn': A new report projecting brain drain's economic impact on Iowa + a recent conversation I'd had with the 29yo former head of the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board = this story: www.thegazette.com/business/bra...

Banning medication abortion and eliminating residential property taxes were on the menu as 3 Republican candidates for Iowa governor addressed a gathering of more than 100 at a Christian conservative event last night. #iagov www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

Please read. www.thegazette.com/government-p...

Today marks 1 year since Iowa's new abortion restrictions went into place. This report from me and @mmarchelhoff.bsky.social takes a deep look at the law's impact, including the latest data plus perspectives from providers and doctors. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

A critically important beat at what I firmly believe (bias conceded) is a great outlet. This would be a really, really good job for the right journalist. If you know that journalist, point them in this direction. If you ARE that journalist, please apply! workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/defau...

Having heard from dozens of faculty, staff, students and the public, Iowa’s Board of Regents is further postponing its vote on a proposed policy to ban “diversity, equity, and inclusion” and “critical race theory” requirements. from @vanessamiller12.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/higher-educa...

After a federal judge's ruling this morning, Iowa's new pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) law is on hold. ... Partially. ... For now. ... For some companies. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

A federal judge this morning issued a temporary injunction against most significant elements of Iowa's new PBM law – although the halt applies only to plaintiffs, not statewide. While I whip up an update, check out my story from Friday's hearing: www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Come for my report on a federal court hearing on Iowa's new PBM law; stay for my pretty pictures of the new federal courthouse building in Des Moines' East Village. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

ICYMI from @erindmurphy.bsky.social: A state request for proposals sheds light on the reasons why Iowa is considering privatizing its prison health care services, potentially entering an arena that has faced issues in other states, according to advocates. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

The primary in Eastern Iowa's #ia01 Congressional District continues to grow, with Muscatine attorney Taylor Wettach entering the race. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

The Iowa Dept. of Corrections is considering contracting with a private company to staff health care workers in state prisons, according to a state email obtained by The Gazette. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, is running for Congress in Western Iowa's #ia04. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

So President Trump just called him "Iowa House Majority Leader-elect Bobby Kaufmann." For those who don't follow this closely, Matt Windschitl is Iowa House Majority Leader, but is weighing a run for Congress. Neither Windschitl nor Kaufmann have said publicly their 2026 plans.

I'm so hot, man, just read this please and I'll be back later to say something more intelligent. Maybe. w/ @mmarchelhoff.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/federal-gove...

New Iowa House Democrats Leader Brian Meyer on "Iowa Press" says Iowa Democrats' presidential precinct caucuses should go first in the nation again. And if the national party protests? "I don't care." #ialegis #iacaucus #fitn www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

Iowa business groups have filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to strike down the PBM bill/law set to go into effect July 1. www.thegazette.com/crime-courts...

Now that we can confirm it's officially a part of the nation's semiquincentennial celebration, check out my story on President Donald Trump's pending visit to Iowa, in which I also ask about the Great American State Fair that Trump once pitched for Iowa. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

Story updated to include Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley's call for a special session to override Gov. Reynolds' veto. And stay tuned for even more updates, including a strong reaction from Iowa Republican Rep. Bobby Kaufmann.

BREAKING: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has vetoed the pipeline/property rights/eminent domain bill. Our story: www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

State senator Zach Wahls today became the 3rd Democrat in Iowa's 2026 U.S. Senate campaign. Read what Wahls said about his message, current and future U.S. Senate Dem leadership, his tumultuous experience in caucus leadership, campaign issues, and more: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...

Moving words. Powerful images. Local journalism. Read it. h/t ✍️ Grace King and 📸 Elizabeth Wood www.thegazette.com/news/familie...

#ialegis Sen. Art Staed said he plans to continue to serve in light of the diagnosis. From Tom Barton: www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

I'm filing a couple stories today out of our discussion with #iagov Kim Reynolds for this weekend's episode of @iowapbs.bsky.social's "Iowa Press." First up: the eminent domain/property rights/pipelines bill. Will Reynolds sign or veto? We asked about her process. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

My inbox: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Rand Paul, Rick Scott announce upcoming Iowa trips/events. Me: [checks calendar year to make sure we didn't skip an entire election cycle]

This makes me so happy. Thanks, @thegazette.com readers, you beautiful, magnificent nerds. You're the absolute best. #ialegis #diddidntlist #civicengagement #bestreaders

“A REMARKABLE RECOVERY BY JOURNALISM!!!” - Mike Tirico just now, calling The Preakness and narrating my dreams

#ialegis House Speaker Pat Grassley, on @IowaPress: "I would be hopeful and my expectation would be that ..." #iagov Reynolds will sign eminent domain/pipeline bill into law. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Holy moly, there was a lot to talk about this week. And talk about it we did. www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...