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River to River

Iowa Public Radio
Iowa
Affordable Care Act
Government Shutdown
Alzheimer's Disease
Iran
United States
Iowa State University
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
Artificial Intelligence
Water Quality
Covid-19
University Of Iowa
Immigration
Climate Change
SNAP
Des Moines
Republican Party
Public Health
Governor Kim Reynolds

River to River is a conversation about the news with an Iowa perspective. Together we dig into the story behind the headlines - we talk with newsmakers and a diverse range of experts to find out how the news affects you. We take on challenging topics, explore issues from all sides, and foster conversation and understanding

PublishesDailyEpisodes130Founded13 years ago
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Artwork for River to River

Latest Episodes

The midterm elections are ramping up. We launch our candidate series with Dave Dawson, the Democrat running in Iowa’s 4th District. Dawson is running against Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president Chris McGowan, a seat currently held by Rep. Randy F... more

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Iowa is caught in the middle of an escalating trade war between the U.S. and Canada. On this Newsbuzz edition, we talk about what that means for Iowa’s economy, and your wallet. First, we learn about Iowa's new property tax law, then discuss the econ... more

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This November, Iowans will decide whether it should take two-thirds of the legislature — not a simple majority — to raise the state income tax. Guests explain what yes and no votes really mean. Then we meet an Iowa teenager who is building an award-w... more

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Canada is Iowa's number one export market — and the trade war with our biggest customer just escalated. Political scientists Evan Renfro of UNI and Karen Kedrowski of ISU offer analysis on these tariffs, the new sanctions campaign against Iran, Iowa'... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mark Early
Predoctoral Researcher at the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium
Iowa State University
Episode: PFAS in polar bears and packaging
Lydia Yall
Senior scientist with the Green Science Policy Institute
Green Science Policy Institute
Episode: PFAS in polar bears and packaging
Keith Vorst
Associate Professor and Director of the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium
Iowa State University
Episode: PFAS in polar bears and packaging
Katie Uptegraph
Project Manager for the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium
Iowa State University
Episode: PFAS in polar bears and packaging
Roy Behrens
Professor Emeritus of Graphic Design at the University of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
Episode: The art of camouflage
Isabel Muzzio
Ronnie Ketchel Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
Episode: The art of camouflage
Katheryn Keane
Vice President of Exhibits at the International Spy Museum
International Spy Museum
Episode: The art of camouflage
Dave Peters
Professor of Sociology and Extension of Rural Sociologists at Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Episode: Rural areas struggle to attract, maintain lawyers
Brian Farrell
Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of Iowa College of Law
University of Iowa
Episode: Rural areas struggle to attract, maintain lawyers

Host

Ben Kiefer
Host of River to River; IPR News / Iowa Public Radio

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 72 ratings
  • Great Content, Okay Host

    The reporting is solid, but the host is prone to rambling, presumptive questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    @B*
    United States4 years ago
  • Terrible

    The host only asks questions and does no push back to get real answers. No worth the time.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    IA04
    United States5 years ago
  • Maybe someday

    I listened to IPR for many years, but I have reached my limit of Fake News Enemy of the People. I do not, and will not waste any more time on anything pushing the Woke gospel of Lies, Hate and Division. Maybe once the country returns to sanity, I will try again, and contribute again. But as it stands now, I will not support Woke, and that includes NPR/IPR.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    rue883
    United States5 years ago
  • Invaluable

    Providing balanced and insightful political commentary from a local perspective, River to River Politics Wednesday is an invaluable local treasure for those seeking to be well-informed Iowans. For me it answers the question: What is Iowa’s take? With the advent of this podcast I am overjoyed that I will never have to miss one again! Thank you IPR!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hubris1
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Solid local insight with strong reporting on Iowa issues.
Balancing depth and accessibility, though some listeners want tougher follow-up questions.
A valuable resource for understanding how national news plays out locally.
Local voices and context make it a standout for Iowans seeking informed discussion.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Recovery program relocates to Des Moines to expand services
Q: What is Harvest Academy's approach and how is it different from other recovery methods?
Harvest Academy offers a minimum two-year Life Skills Academy with a residential setting, emphasizing real-life routines, accountability, and staff who are graduates, to provide credibility and lasting habit change; it positions itself as a longer, more intensive alternative to shorter treatment models.
'This Vast Enterprise' gives new accounts of the Lewis and Clark expedition
Q: at what point in reading through these journals did you realize this was an ensemble story, not just a two-man show here?
The realization came from a small, human detail in the journals—York's role and perspective revealed through multiple voices—leading to a broader, ensemble narrative.
Muscatine mass shooting raises questions about firearms and domestic violence
Q: How do civil protection orders currently function in Iowa, and where are the gaps?
Protection orders involve court hearings and possible firearm relinquishment, but gaps include no automatic enforcement and no fixed deadlines for surrender, with compliance often self-reported rather than actively enforced.
Muscatine mass shooting raises questions about firearms and domestic violence
Q: What do we know about the motive and any domestic context?
Preliminary information points to a domestic dispute as a driver, with discussion of the lack of domestic abuse convictions in the shooter's background and how that complicates interpretation of motive.
Muscatine mass shooting raises questions about firearms and domestic violence
Q: What did you find on the ground in Muscatine, and how did the community respond?
Residents described trauma and disbelief, with neighbors recalling a close-knit, ordinary neighborhood demeanor of the McFarland family and the community rallying around victims and their families during the vigil.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About River to River

What is River to River about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations span politics, policy, law, and regional affairs with a distinctly Iowa lens. Across recent episodes, topics include local and national election dynamics, civil rights history, public-health policy, energy and environmental issues, and the mechanics of governance, often anchored by academics, journalists, and policy experts. The show leans thorough and analytical, frequently bringing in guests who provide historical context, data-driven insights, or on-the-ground reporting. A notable strength is how it stitches state-level concerns to national trends, giving listeners a grounded view of how headlines translate into Iowa and regional policy. This mix should appeal to listeners who want a thoughtful, data-informed, locally relev... more

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Which podcasts are similar to River to River?

These podcasts share a similar audience with River to River:

1. Talk of Iowa
2. Here First
3. On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
4. Throughline
5. The NPR Politics Podcast

How many episodes of River to River are there?

River to River launched 13 years ago and published 130 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 River to River?

Recent guests on River to River include:

1. Mark Early
2. Lydia Yall
3. Keith Vorst
4. Katie Uptegraph
5. Roy Behrens
6. Isabel Muzzio
7. Katheryn Keane
8. Dave Peters

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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