
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 | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Daily NewsNewsPolitics | |||

The Board of Regents has picked a new permanent director for the Center for Intellectual Freedom. The major party candidates for Iowa's First Congressional District debated last night. And an update on the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge.
Gov. Kim Reynolds' husband, Kevin Reynolds, is undergoing treatment for a recurrence of cancer. An ISU student is suing the city of Ames over its policy that bans firearms on public transit. And how are the candidates campaigning in Iowa's First Cong... more
The Department of Homeland Security is delaying a decision about TPS for Ukrainians. Democratic candidates in Iowa raised more money than Republicans this last fundraising quarter. And state revenue estimates for the next two years are out.
An Iowa City woman granted protection from persecution in Ivory Coast has been deported and could likely end up back in that country. President Trump will hold a rally in Sioux City next Thursday. And data center construction waste is piling up at Li... 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!
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Apple Podcasts | #129 |
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A concise morning briefing that rounds up local Iowa news, politics, and policy with a focus on how policy decisions affect everyday life. Episodes often weave in reporting on data centers, local government, education, environmental issues, and health policy, complemented by long-form features on agriculture and regional trends. Notable strengths include fast-paced, bill-by-bill context, and a steady stream of expert and local voices to illuminate both policy and community impact. Listeners likely appreciate clarity, timeliness, and practical implications for residents and businesses alike.
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1. River to River
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Here First launched 6 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. Steph Conquest-Wehr
2. Mitra Naser
3. Denise Meyer
4. Ro Khanna
5. Chase Obenchain
6. Lanier de Bruyze
7. Sarah Sexton Bowser
8. Jessica Davidoff
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