This week on the podcast, Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver’s resignation in the Iowa Legislature, Iowa DOGE’s final public meeting, and much more Iowa news in the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to recreate the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day’s deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa.

This episode was hosted by the Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy. It features Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff, Gazette Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette columnists Althea Cole and Todd Dorman.

Read the stories talked about in this episode:

Jack Whitver to step aside as leader of Iowa Senate, will not seek re-election in 2026

Iowa state lawmaker Celsi admitted to hospice, family says

Rob Sand: ‘The fact that people would be out there celebrating the death of a human being is wrong’

Johnson County chair defies order to fly flags at half-staff in memory of Charlie Kirk

Opinion: Naming UI center for Kirk would clarify its mission

Opinion: Charlie Kirk is dead. The conversation must live

Offer teacher bonuses for student achievement, opt-out option for public workers’ retirement program, Iowa DOGE task force says

This episode was produced by Gazette Social Video Producer Bailey Cichon.

Comments: erin.murphy@thegazette.com, bailey.cichon@thegazette.com