Here First (Iowa Public Radio)
Here First offers a policy-focused, center-leaning perspective on local and national issues, with a particular emphasis on government ethics and economic topics.
What This Tone Is Based On
The tone scores on this page come from analyzing how this show covers each political figure it mentions. Below is the breakdown of how many of those reads were positive, neutral, or negative.
Net media tone Slightly Positive across 51 figure-in-episode tone reads (not audience/impressions).
How Here First (Iowa Public Radio) Differs from Other Shows
Overall this show runs more favorable than the rest of the media — mean tone +0.11 vs the media's -0.14.
Editorial Identity
The editorial fingerprint of this center local news show — who it elevates, who it goes after, and where it breaks from the pack.
Here First (Iowa Public Radio) is a center-leaning local news program that prioritizes policy analysis over sensationalism, as evidenced by its 58% policy framing. The show frequently covers government ethics and corruption, federal spending, and healthcare, often with a critical lens on ethical issues. It maintains a balanced approach, offering neutral to supportive coverage of figures like Bernie Sanders and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while being critical of others such as Kristi Noem and Mike Johnson.
The show appears to champion economic issues, particularly those related to jobs, manufacturing, and trade, with significant lift in coverage compared to other outlets. Figures like Bernie Sanders receive supportive coverage, reflecting the show's interest in progressive economic policies and labor issues.
Here First tends to critically cover figures involved in ethical controversies, such as Kristi Noem and Mike Johnson, reflecting its focus on government ethics and corruption. The show also scrutinizes issues related to the rule of law and government weaponization, though with less frequency than other topics.
Distinctively, Here First places a strong emphasis on economic issues like jobs and manufacturing, with a lift of over six times the average, highlighting its focus on local economic impacts. Its coverage of trade and tariffs also stands out, suggesting a regional interest in international trade agreements and their effects on local industries.
Who Here First (Iowa Public Radio) boosts and attacks
Tracked figures split by this show's average tone toward them, each with the clips behind the call — tap a quote to jump to the audio.
Here First (Iowa Public Radio) covers 1 tracked figure without a clear favorable-vs-critical split.
Thin sample — 13 analyzed episodes across these figures; treat the split as directional.
Coverage Volume
Transcribed episodes per week — last 26 weeks
Sentiment Trajectory
Average weekly tone toward figures — green favorable, red critical
Whose coverage is ramping up — and dropping
New attack lines forming: Todd Blanche (0→3 eps, tone -0.17).
Nothing being dropped this window.
“Across N days” = distinct days behind the recent count; a single burst means it’s concentrated in ≤2 days — treat as one story, not a trend.
Top Issues Here First (Iowa Public Radio) drives
Top Issues ranked by lift — how much harder this show pushes an issue than the average outlet. ≥ 1.25× over-indexes.
Here First (Iowa Public Radio) pushes Healthcare hardest — 3.0× the average outlet's rate of coverage.
Thin sample — 15 analyzed episodes behind these issues; lift is directional.
Show organizations & places →Organizations & Places They Focus On
Recent Stories
Iowa programs for homelessness are facing uncertainty as federal funding is tied up in legal disputes. The Trump administration's proposed changes to the continuum of care program could shift funding away from permanent housing to short-term solutions, jeopardizing existing programs. Local officials express concern over the potential impact on housing stability for vulnerable populations.
The U.S. cotton industry is facing challenges due to rising synthetic fabric use and declining demand. The USDA has announced a new initiative to boost cotton production and sales, including proposed tax incentives for manufacturers using American-grown cotton. Additionally, a campaign is underway to promote cotton as a healthier alternative to synthetic materials.
Dubuque County is addressing concerns over water usage by data centers as they draft new regulations. Officials are investigating the water consumption of these facilities, which has been shown to spike significantly. The county is holding a series of information sessions to gather data and inform their regulatory approach.
The Satanic Temple of Iowa has filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming violations of their civil rights after being denied permission to host holiday events at the Iowa Capitol. The ACLU of Iowa is representing the group, asserting that the state has infringed upon their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and religion. The lawsuit follows a complaint that found probable cause for religious discrimination.
The Iowa Libertarian Party has selected new candidates for the upcoming general election, replacing those who were removed from the ballot due to election paperwork issues. Charles Aldrich will run for lieutenant governor, and Jacob Hurd will take over the third district house race, as the party aims to ensure their gubernatorial candidate remains on the ballot.
A city council meeting in Salix, Iowa, regarding a proposed data center has been postponed due to safety concerns following death and terroristic threats made on social media. Mayor Kevin Nelson emphasized the need for civility in public discourse as the community remains divided over the project, which has previously faced similar threats.
Despite a new state law limiting local civil rights protections, Johnson County is exploring ways to protect transgender individuals through an amendment to its civil rights ordinance. Supervisor v. Fixma Arise is advocating for a definition of sex stereotyping to be included, which could align with existing state law and serve as a template for other jurisdictions.
The Waterloo School District is selling Expo High School to developer Victor Rottenhouse, who plans to transform it into a mixed-use development for veterans. The project aims to provide affordable housing while generating income through commercial space.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is advocating for a bipartisan bill that would require the Pentagon to undergo independent audits to address wasteful spending. Grassley believes this legislation is crucial for national security and has expressed optimism about compliance from the Defense Department.
The city of Clinton is drafting a data center ordinance amid opposition from a grassroots group called Clintonians against data centers. The group is advocating for public input in the process, and a meeting with city officials is scheduled for September 1st.
Iowa Senator Art Stade, who has Parkinson's disease, is advocating for a ban on Paraquat, a toxic herbicide linked to the disease. Despite his efforts and those of lawmakers in multiple states, the bill did not pass, highlighting ongoing concerns about the herbicide's health risks.
Lynn County has decided not to change its 18-month moratorium on data centers, rejecting an exception for projects linked to nuclear power. This decision follows public feedback indicating stronger opposition to data centers than support for nuclear energy, impacting Google's plans for a new facility near the Dwayne Arnold Nuclear Plant.
As Iowa's gubernatorial race heats up, the privatization of the state's Medicaid system is a contentious issue. Candidates are divided, with Rob Sand criticizing the system for failing to provide adequate care, while his opponent Zach Lane advocates for improvements within the current framework.
Des Moines residents have provided feedback on potential budget cuts to address a $12 million deficit, with 88% favoring the elimination of the floodplain property buyout program. Other significant cuts suggested include reductions in library operations and police neighborhood services.
Dubuque has been awarded a $500,000 EPA Brownfields cleanup grant to redevelop industrial sites along the Mississippi River. This funding is part of a larger initiative that has seen five Iowa grantees receive a total of $3.5 million to support environmental cleanup and revitalization efforts.
Jury selection has begun in the trial of Thomas Pop, accused of murdering Native American woman Terry McCauley over 40 years ago. The case has garnered attention and inspired efforts to assist other families seeking justice for missing and murdered indigenous relatives.
Governor Reynolds announced a new initiative to help orphaned children in Iowa's foster care system access their social security survivor benefits when they turn 18. This move, proposed by State Senator Sarah Turingariot two years ago, positions Iowa as the 31st state to implement such a program, aiming to provide financial support for education and housing.
Congressman Zach Nunn announced that federal funding will be used to install hydro stations across 18 counties in Iowa, aimed at improving drought and flood monitoring. The initiative, backed by $500,000 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is expected to enhance data collection on soil moisture and groundwater levels, aiding farmers and emergency management efforts.
The Iowa Libertarian Party is set to nominate new candidates for the November general election after two candidates were disqualified from the ballot. A state objection panel ruled against a lieutenant governor candidate for not submitting necessary paperwork, while another candidate was barred for using a stage name, leading to a need for replacements.
A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that nutrient pollution in U.S. waterways increased significantly from 2000 to 2020, largely due to the release of older nutrients from soil and groundwater. The study highlights the impact of agricultural practices and changing weather patterns on water quality, emphasizing the need for informed decision-making regarding nutrient management.