The Gazette's Pints & Politics with Iowa Public Radio on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Took place at Big Grove Brewery in Cedar Rapids with special quests Adam B Sullivan and Liam Halawith. Hosts include The Gazette's Erin Jordan and IPR's Ben Kieffer.

On this week's episode we take one last look in the rearview mirror at the 2024 legislative session. We'll talk about traffic cameras in the Quad Cities. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson discusses aid to Ukraine and her recent visit with the Ukrainian president.

Iowa legislation, including hands-free driving bill and distracted driving concerns.

• Lawmakers struggle to reach agreement on new bills, including hands-free driving bill.
• Law enforcement and safety advocates have been pushing for a hands-free driving bill to crack down on distracted driving.
• Despite overwhelming Senate support, the bill was held up in the House due to libertarian concerns about individual rights.
• Opposition to hands-free driving bill largely unheard of, with insurance industry and representatives speaking in support.

Iowa politics, judicial appointments, and legislative relationships.

• Governor Reynolds seeks more control over judicial appointments.
• Erin Murphy expects more of the same in the relationship between the House and Senate Republicans, with big bills still getting passed despite disagreements.
• Some House Republicans praised House Democrats for their working relationship, while criticizing Senate Republicans for their behavior.

Traffic cameras in LeClaire, Iowa, and their revenue impact.

• The challenges of passing bills in the Iowa legislature, including the House and Senate's differing opinions and the public's lack of awareness.
• Sarah Watson reports on the Quad Cities' data collection and reporting efforts for automated traffic enforcement cameras, with a 70% reduction in crashes observed in some intersections.
• Focus on LeClaire, Iowa's traffic camera revenue, which is significant for a town of about 4,000 people. The city issued 62,000 violations and collected 50,000 of those, with a baseline of $50 per violation.

US aid to Ukraine and meeting with Ukrainian officials.

• Congresswoman Ashley Hinson visited Ukraine and met with US military officials, anti-corruption officials, and Agriculture officials to discuss America's interest in arming Ukraine.
• Former President Trump shifts tone on Ukraine aid, agrees with sentiments of US lawmaker.

Truck driver's death, investigation, and updates.

• Sarah Schultz and Jake Rowley hold press conference to provide updates on David Schultz's disappearance.
• Body of David Schultz, a truck driver, found laying face up in a field one and a half miles from where his semi was abandoned.
• Authorities have not yet found any suspected foul play in the death of the unnamed person.
• Authorities are tight-lipped about the case, and it may be some time before they release medical examination results.

On this week’s episode, the state legislators adjourn the 2024 session, highlights from the end of session and RFK Jr. visits Iowa.

This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough, Sarah Watson of the Quad City, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. Intro music is “Chillin’ with Jeris” by Copperhead. Outro music is “Garlic Hemming Sauce” by Jeremy Jacobs.

On the podcast this week: The future of abortion access in Iowa, Reynolds puts the kibosh on an AEA bill redo, traffic camera restrictions get a green light, and a slap on the wrist for Iowa woman convicted of voter fraud.

This episode was hosted by the Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough, Sarah Watson of the Quad City, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. Intro music is “Chillin’ with Jeris” by Copperhead. Outro music is “Free” by Tone Da Boss.

This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough, Sarah Watson of the Quad City, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. Intro music is “Chillin’ with Jeris” by Copperhead. Outro music is “I See You” by Silence ft. Riley Mobz.

On this week's episode, AEAs' final legislative chapter, emergency contraception and the AG's office, Davenport officials face questions from state lawmakers, 2024 statehouse elections, and a couple of candidates' dispute go to a state board.

This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough, Sarah Watson of the Quad City, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. Intro music is “Chillin’ with Jeris” by Copperhead. Outro music is “Victory Lap” by Tone Da Boss.

On this week’s episode, primary elections are set, eminent domain and immigration policy at the statehouse, and of course, AEAs.

This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough, Sarah Watson of the Quad City, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. Intro music is “Chillin’ with Jeris” by Copperhead. Outro music is “Free” by Tone Da Boss.

Listen to political reporters from across Iowa talk about this week in politics.

This episode was hosted by Erin Murphy, the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief, and features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough and Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal.

On this week’s episode, it wasn’t exact a funnel of love this week in the Iowa Legislature — Get it? Like tunnel of love, but funnel of love? Get it? — an effort is afoot to take another crack at a state tax incentive program for movie productions, and Congress takes on TikTok.

This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. Intro music is “Chillin’ with Jeris” by Copperhead. Outro music is "I See You" by Silence.

Listen to political reporters from across Iowa talk about this week in politics.

This episode was hosted by Erin Murphy, the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief, and features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough and Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal.

Looking for audio from The Gazette's February Pints & Politics event? Listen here.

This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. Intro music is “Chillin’ with Jeris” by Copperhead. Outro music is "Spotlight" by ChiSongWriter featuring Alicia Monéé.

The Gazette and Iowa Public Radio hosted Pints & Politics at Big Grove in Cedar Rapids on February 22, 2023.

The Gazette reporters discussed national, state, and local politics.

Special guest Adam B. Sullivan took part in the event along with regular panelists, The Gazette’s Erin Jordan, Todd Dorman, Tom Barton, and Althea Cole.

On this week’s episode, blood donations, all politics is not local, Iowa’s Congressional incumbents file for re-election, and AEAs.

This episode was hosted by Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy and features Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman.

This episode was produced by Bailey Cichon. The episode's introduction music is "Chillin' with Jeris" by Copperhead. This episode's outro music is "Free" by Tone Da Boss.