Mastodawn

It's late but I just posted my written recap of Monday night's "KHOI's Capitol Week."
We spent most of the 30 minutes on 2026 campaign news, and covered one story from the state legislature (the return of a medication abortion bill).
#IAGov #IASen #IA01 #IA02 #IA03 #IA04

https://laurabelin.substack.com/p/governors-race-news-1q-fundraising

Governor's race news, 1Q fundraising, abortion bill returns

April 20 edition of "KHOI's Capitol Week"

Iowa politics with Laura Belin

LauraRBelin 15h ago

On last night's Iowa politics radio show/podcast, I covered the return of a House bill that would restrict abortion medications, and the roadblocks ahead.
(Look for "KHOI's Capitol Week" to listen to the whole show, which was mostly about 2026 campaigns.)

LauraRBelin 1d ago

You can listen to tonight's Iowa politics radio show now on any podcast platform: "KHOI's Capitol Week"
Tomorrow I'll send the audio file & a detailed written recap to subscribers of my free email newsletter: "Iowa politics with Laura Belin"
Lots of news on the #IAGov race.
https://laurabelin.substack.com

Iowa politics with Laura Belin | Substack

Where you get in-depth coverage and exclusive reporting about Iowa politics. Click to read Iowa politics with Laura Belin, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

LauraRBelin 1d ago

New post by Gordie Felger: Conversion therapy isn't a "cure." It's torture
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/04/20/conversion-therapy-isnt-a-cure-its-torture/

Conversion therapy isn't a "cure." It’s torture

Gordie Felger: No one should be forced into conversion therapy. Those considering the harmful practice should weigh the consequences.

Bleeding Heartland

LauraRBelin 3d ago

Who's up early?
After Alex Isenstadt reported that JD Vance plans to come to Iowa to campaign with Zach Nunn, I decided it was time for a deep dive on #IA03.
I'm bullish on this race. This post explains why & also covers some factors that favor Nunn.
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/04/19/zach-nunn-is-in-trouble-and-jd-vance-cant-help-him/

Zach Nunn is in trouble—and JD Vance can't help him

Laura Belin explains why she's bullish on Sarah Trone Garriott's chances to unseat Zach Nunn, the Republican incumbent in IA-03.

Bleeding Heartland

LauraRBelin 3d ago

New post: The Iowa Supreme Court ruled against the State Auditor's office, finding the city of Davenport doesn't have to turn over closed-session discussions about $1.9 million in taxpayer-funded settlements.
Clark Kauffman covered the story:
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/04/18/state-auditor-loses-battle-over-access-to-city-of-davenport-tapes/

State auditor loses battle over access to City of Davenport tapes

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled against State Auditor Rob Sand, who sought communications about $1.9 million in taxpayer-funded settlements.

Bleeding Heartland

LauraRBelin 3d ago

New Iowa Down Ballot podcast dropped today!
Dave Price, Kathie Obradovich, and I talked about the latest property tax news from the Iowa legislature and new TV ads for some candidates for governor.

https://iowawriterscollaborative.substack.com/p/iowa-down-ballot-with-dave-price-db2

Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 4/18/26

Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland and Kathie Obradovich of Iowa Capital Dispatch join Dave to discuss property taxes, campaign ads, and legislative gridlock.

Iowa Down Ballot

LauraRBelin 4d ago

New post: A broken femur introduced Bruce Lear and his wife Jo to the seventh circle of Hell: health care and insurance coverage in the U.S.

https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/04/17/our-time-of-trouble-a-health-care-and-insurance-story/

Our time of trouble: a health care and insurance story

After Bruce Lear's wife broke her femur, they were introduced to the seventh circle of Hell: health care and insurance coverage in the U.S.

Bleeding Heartland

LauraRBelin 4d ago

A clip from yesterday's House Appropriations Committee meeting, where Republicans advanced a bill restricting abortion medications.
Dr. Megan Srinivas pointed out some HIPAA problems: #ialegis
Rs approved along party lines.

LauraRBelin 6d ago

New post by Charles Bruner: We are living in an economy that generates extraordinary wealth, yet struggles to deliver what once defined its success.
His case for shifting our focus and restoring labor's role:

https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/04/15/an-economy-that-sidelines-labor-cant-sustain-the-middle-class-or-democracy/

An economy that sidelines labor can't sustain the middle class or democracy

Charles Bruner: By restoring labor to a central role, we can build an economy that works not just efficiently, but fairly and sustainably.

Bleeding Heartland