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River to River: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Iowa Public Radio
River to River is a conversation about the news with an Iowa perspective. Together we dig into the story behind the headlines - we talk with newsmakers and a diverse range of experts to find out how the news affects you. We take on challenging topics, explore issues from all sides, and foster conversation and understanding
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Today48 min
A look at election results from Iowa's neighboring states
Iowa Democrats had a big night Tuesday. On this episode, we discuss what happened in our neighboring states in the midterm elections. We hear from Makenzie Huber of South Dakota Searchlight, Rich Kremer of Wisconsin Public Radio, Jason Rosenbaum of St. Louis Public Radio, Peter Cox of Minnesota Public Radio, Fred Knapp of Nebraska Public Media, and Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois.
- Yesterday48 min
Iowa sending all-new Congressional delegation to D.C.
Democrats had a big night nationally and in Iowa this midterm election, flipping the governor's office, a U.S. Senate seat and three U.S. House seats. On this Politics Day episode, experts Megan Goldberg and Dave Peterson join us to discuss these wins and others around the country, and how this will shape Congress and the next two years of President Donald Trump's administration.
- 3 days ago48 min
Who you vote for is private, but whether you vote is public
Mailers and ads are using social pressure to get out the vote by reminding people that friends and neighbors can look up whether they voted. On this episode, Ben Kieffer speaks with Tom Lopach, CEO of the Voter Participation Center, about why they've taken this approach. Drake political scientist Adrien Halliez shares the origins of this strategy and why these organizations tend to be connected to Democrats. But first, trust in the polls has been shaken since 2016 and most recently by the 2024 Ann Selzer poll. Halliez shares what pollsters are doing to make their polls more accurate and how to read the polls. Also, Grinnell College political scientist Peter Hanson shares findings from the latest Grinnell College Poll, which asked wide-ranging questions on democracy, education, data centers and more. He is joined by students who helped compose the questions.
- 6 days ago48 min
How Iowa is protecting the integrity of the vote
On this Newsbuzz episode, we discuss election security and the election safeguards that are in place in Iowa. We also talk about where the secretary of agriculture, secretary of state and attorney general races stand, Iowa's Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force and more.
- 1 weeks ago48 min
Des Moines music venue owner seeking to improve the business of live performance royalties
Most independent music venues struggle to stay afloat. On this episode, we talk with Tobi Parks, owner of Des Moines music venue xBk. She tells us why so little of live performance royalty money reaches the artists who deserve it, and how she’s working to change that with her newest startup Tour Tech. Also in this episode, this upcoming election is the first that no woman is running for governor or lieutenant governor in Iowa since 1978. We talk with Kelly Winfrey of Iowa State University about the gender politics in those races and others this midterm.
- 1 weeks ago48 min
The final push before the midterms
On this politics day edition of River to River, UNI’s Evan Renfro and ISU’s Kelly Shaw discuss the elections in Israel, the final days before the U.S. midterm election and more.
- 1 weeks ago47 min
Can you engage with the news without getting overwhelmed?
Political scientist Jayme Renfro of the University of Northern Iowa joins the show to discuss her new book, "From Fear to Resilience: Managing Political Stress in a Polarized America."
- 1 weeks ago47 min
Historian explores propaganda, corruption in 'strongman' rulers
On this episode, we talk with historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a leading expert on fascism, authoritarianism and threats to democracy. She teaches history at New York University and is the author of 'Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present.' She describes how strongmen from Silvio Berlusconi to Vladimir Putin have adapted Mussolini’s playbook — propaganda, corruption, violence, and a carefully staged image of manly strength.
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About River to River
River to River is a conversation about the news with an Iowa perspective. Together we dig into the story behind the headlines - we talk with newsmakers and a diverse range of experts to find out how the news affects you. We take on challenging topics, explore issues from all sides, and foster conversation and understanding
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