
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.
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 210 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsNewsDaily News | |||

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill that will temporarily raise taxes on HMO health insurance plans. Residents in Cedar Falls are concerned about a proposed cryptocurrency mine. And how Kansas communities deal with tumbleweeds.
A new report looks at environmental factors and Iowa's cancer rates. Candidate for governor Eddie Andrews will be on the primary ballot. And Governor Kim Reynolds shares some thoughts on property tax proposals.
The mayor of Palo is showing support for Google's data center plans. A few candidates were kicked off the primary election ballot. And lawmakers are considering towing regulations.
Abortions in Iowa dropped last year. A bill on the governor's desk would let health care providers decline to participate in services if it conflicts with their conscience. And residents in Linn County are concerned about plans for a gas-fired power ... more
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Listening to Meghan deliver news each morning feels like drinking coffee with a good friend who says, “Hey, here’s what’s going on. Thanks for listening.”
Interesting program but wording and expressions are definitely slanted. It is liberal leaning and must be listened with that in mind.
“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!
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!
Clay is an excellent radio host and always delivers fair and timely content. I’m really looking forward to this podcast!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #213 |
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A concise, can't-miss morning briefing focused on Iowa news, policy, and local issues with a national-security and education lens. Episodes frequently cover state politics, infrastructure funding, school finance, data center debates, and environmental topics, often including voices from government, journalism, and advocacy. The tone is fast-paced and practical, aiming to keep listeners informed as they start their day, with a strong emphasis on how statewide developments affect communities, businesses, and public services. A notable strength is tight, under-10-minute formats that mix direct reporting with expert context, making it suitable for busy professionals, movers in state affairs, and media/trainers looking for quick, reliable Iowa c... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Here First:
1. Up First from NPR
2. The NPR Politics Podcast
3. The Daily
4. Consider This from NPR
5. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
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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Recent guests on Here First include:
1. Shannon Lundgren
2. Adam Zabner
3. Austin Bathe
4. Amy Campbell
5. Neibolt Chole
6. Katie Gravich
7. Katarina Sostaric
8. Sheila Brummer
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