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Iowa
Bird Flu
Glenwood Resource Center
Flooding
Spencer
Abortion Law
FEMA
Northwest Iowa
Iowa Supreme Court
Flood Recovery
Iowa Attorney General's Office
Iowa Immigration Law
Nicholas Gluba
Libertarian Party
Cold Cases
Eating Disorder Coalition Of Iowa
Des Moines Police Department
Historic Flooding
Mississippi River
Opioid Settlement

Start your day with the essentials. Coffee. Breakfast. And the local news you need to know. Host Meghan McKinney rises bright and early to bring you the top news stories from around Iowa in under 10 minutes. Wake up, grab that coffee and get your news Here First. You can support what you hear on this podcast at ipr.org/donate.

PublishesDailyEpisodes210Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for Here First

Latest Episodes

Google says it will buy electricity from the Duane Arnold Nuclear Power Plant near Cedar Rapids when it’s reopened in 2029. A Republican running for governor is the latest to call for a state takeover of the Des Moines school district. And, all five ... more

The Sioux City City Council will have a majority of new members after next week's election. At least one Iowa-based bank is telling its customers that they can no longer get rolls or boxes of pennies, following an order from President Trump that the ... more

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Immigrant rights advocates say a Des Moines high school student has been deported. Food pantries are preparing for higher need than normal. And beef producers are opposing President Trump's plan to lower beef prices.

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A Democratic state lawmaker has requested an audit of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners' licensing procedures. A few eastern Iowa cities are asking voters to approve a sales tax. And a Republican candidate for an Iowa U.S. Senate seat says he w... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Joe Stevens
CEO of Joppa, a homelessness prevention non-profit
Episode: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
Roxandra Marku
Researcher with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Episode: Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Richard Scherzan
Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate advocating for public-private partnerships
Episode: Monday, October 13th, 2025
Kai McGee
Representative from Four Oaks, aiding kinship caregivers
Four Oaks
Episode: Monday, October 13th, 2025
Jack Hoag
Longtime popcorn farmer in Northwest Iowa
Episode: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025
Larry White
Organizer of the annual popcorn days in Nebraska
Episode: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025
Steve Husinga
President of American Popcorn Company (Jolly Time)
American Popcorn Company
Episode: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025
Sonya Carlson
Program Director at Hawkeye Community College
Hawkeye Community College
Episode: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025
Naina Gupta
Advocate with the American Immigration Council
American Immigration Council
Episode: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025

Host

Meghan McKinney
Host of the show, known for delivering concise updates on local news and events impacting Iowa communities.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 82 ratings
  • Language not neutral

    Interesting program but wording and expressions are definitely slanted. It is liberal leaning and must be listened with that in mind.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    iMallears
    United States3 years ago
  • Great start to the day!

    “Here First” has become my go-to morning listen for a quick overview of state news and the occasional in depth coverage of other issues affecting the Midwest. It’s right up there with coffee as my morning must-have!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnnAppleseth
    United States4 years ago
  • So happy this exists

    Thank you so much IPR for creating this podcast, I often cannot reach IPR on normal radio hours but having this resource is perfect for me to listen more about Iowa specific news!

    I am a daily Up First listener, so this was an instant subscribe! Great idea, I appreciate everything IPR does for us in Iowa!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1234569274
    United States5 years ago
  • Very excited for this

    Clay is an excellent radio host and always delivers fair and timely content. I’m really looking forward to this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Avanorny
    United States5 years ago
  • Wanna know? Listen to this podcast—

    Comprehensive, understandable, timely, accurate information. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pkatrinka
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback highlights the relevance of topics covered as well as the need for careful balancing in political discussions.
Listeners appreciate the concise format, making it easy to catch up on important local news in a short time.
Many regard it as a necessary morning staple, equating it with their coffee routine.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Q: How does a domestic violence situation escalate to a domestic violence homicide?
It often starts with non-physical violence but may escalate to severe physical violence, especially after strangulation occurs.
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Q: Why is domestic violence homicide rising in Iowa?
Economic difficulties and lack of affordable housing contribute to this increase.
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Q: Who is most likely to commit domestic violence homicide in Iowa?
The aggressors are typically current or former partners of the victims.
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Q: Who is most impacted by domestic violence homicide in Iowa?
Women and children are most impacted, but everyone is affected in some way.
Monday, July 28th, 2025
Q: What did abortion providers say about this past year?
Abortion providers reported a significant drop in services due to the law, and an increase in Iowans traveling out of state for care.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Here First

What is Here First about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on delivering concise updates, this podcast provides listeners with essential local news from Iowa in a format that is both efficient and engaging. Each episode aims to capture key political and social stories affecting the community, featuring discussions on state legislation, community initiatives, and local events. Noteworthy features include timely coverage of pressing issues, including education, public policy, and environmental challenges, ensuring that listeners are well-informed about topics that directly impact their lives.

The podcast distinguishes itself by not only informing but also prioritizing the significance of local perspectives, making it a valuable resource for Iowa residents. Its commitment to providing quick n... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Here First?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Here First:

1. River to River
2. Up First from NPR
3. Trump's Terms
4. Sources & Methods
5. NPR News Now

How many episodes of Here First are there?

Here First launched 5 years ago and published 210 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Here First?

Recent guests on Here First include:

1. Joe Stevens
2. Roxandra Marku
3. Richard Scherzan
4. Kai McGee
5. Jack Hoag
6. Larry White
7. Steve Husinga
8. Sonya Carlson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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