Erin Murphy
@erindmurphy.bsky.social
Proud husband and father. @thegazette.com Des Moines Bureau Chief. Iowa Capitol Press Association President. Wisconsin sports fan. Star Wars geek. erin.murphy@thegazette.com
Pinned
Erin Murphy
@erindmurphy.bsky.social
· Jan 28
Get exclusive Iowa legislative news | On Iowa Politics | The Gazette
Get the On Iowa Politics Newsletter, from Erin Murphy, Des Moines Bureau Chief, The Gazette
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Thanks for following me here! Now, you can also follow my coverage of Iowa state government and politics with the free, daily On Iowa Politics newsletter. You can sign up at this link. Tell your friends! #ialegis #iagov #iapolitics subscribepage.io/oniowapolitics
We had some fun for our Halloween edition of the On Iowa Politics podcast, and as always, discussed all the big news on the beat. Carve your jack o' lantern, then carve out some time for a listen or a watch: www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...
On Iowa Politics Podcast: Randy Feenstra makes his gubernatorial campaign official
Rep. Randy Feenstra finally makes his gubernatorial campaign official. Plus, we look ahead to next week's local elections and explore readers' questions about how elections officials catch fraudulent ...
www.thegazette.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:11 PM
We had some fun for our Halloween edition of the On Iowa Politics podcast, and as always, discussed all the big news on the beat. Carve your jack o' lantern, then carve out some time for a listen or a watch: www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...
The very first On Iowa Politics Podcast Interview is live! In my 1:1 chat with Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, we discuss his decision to not run for governor, whether he'll ever run for Grandpa's seat, what it's like being Speaker, and so much more.
www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...
www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...
October 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM
The very first On Iowa Politics Podcast Interview is live! In my 1:1 chat with Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, we discuss his decision to not run for governor, whether he'll ever run for Grandpa's seat, what it's like being Speaker, and so much more.
www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...
www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...
Iowa police can begin issuing fines for handheld phone use while driving starting Jan. 1.
Based on what I just observed waiting out a light at an East Village crosswalk, Des Moines Police are about to have an opportunity for a serious revenue infusion.
Based on what I just observed waiting out a light at an East Village crosswalk, Des Moines Police are about to have an opportunity for a serious revenue infusion.
October 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Iowa police can begin issuing fines for handheld phone use while driving starting Jan. 1.
Based on what I just observed waiting out a light at an East Village crosswalk, Des Moines Police are about to have an opportunity for a serious revenue infusion.
Based on what I just observed waiting out a light at an East Village crosswalk, Des Moines Police are about to have an opportunity for a serious revenue infusion.
We missed last week, so we had ... yeah ... a lot of news to cover on this week's On Iowa Politics podcast. So check that out, and stick to the end for some big programming news. www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...
On Iowa Politics Podcast: Two Weeks in Iowa Politics Edition
This week on the podcast, we'll discuss the Des Moines Superintendent situation, the federal government shutdown, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks talking town halls.
www.thegazette.com
October 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
We missed last week, so we had ... yeah ... a lot of news to cover on this week's On Iowa Politics podcast. So check that out, and stick to the end for some big programming news. www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-poli...
Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and U.S. Sec. of Homeland Security Kristi Noem arrive at the Iowa State Fairgrounds for Ernst’s annual Roast and Ride fundraiser.
October 11, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and U.S. Sec. of Homeland Security Kristi Noem arrive at the Iowa State Fairgrounds for Ernst’s annual Roast and Ride fundraiser.
Another great edition of @thegazette.com's "Curious Iowa" (a de facto 'Ask The Gazette' feature), especially for folks interested in the government/politics beat. And I learned some new things in this. Great job as always by the venerable @baileycichon.bsky.social. www.thegazette.com/curious-iowa...
Curious Iowa: Why did the Iowa capital move from Iowa City to Des Moines?
Burlington and Iowa City held the capital designation in Iowa before Des Moines. In this week's Curious Iowa, The Gazette digs into why the capital moved to Des Moines, and which buildings served as t...
www.thegazette.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Another great edition of @thegazette.com's "Curious Iowa" (a de facto 'Ask The Gazette' feature), especially for folks interested in the government/politics beat. And I learned some new things in this. Great job as always by the venerable @baileycichon.bsky.social. www.thegazette.com/curious-iowa...
A potential development from Sioux City in the case of the former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent, from the Sioux City Journal: siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/c...
Former Des Moines Superintendent Ian Roberts no longer being held in Woodbury County
The jail roster for the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center no longer lists former Des Moines Superintendent Ian Roberts as a detainee. But the website for ICE still shows Roberts as a Woodbury Cou...
siouxcityjournal.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM
A potential development from Sioux City in the case of the former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent, from the Sioux City Journal: siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/c...
New Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh talked to The Gazette today about his new leadership role and some of the first challenges he will face. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
New Iowa House leader on working with fellow statehouse leaders: 'Iowans expect us to do a job'
Mike Klimesh faces daunting challenges, in his own caucus and throughout the Capitol, as he steps into the role of Iowa Senate Majority Leader.
www.thegazette.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:40 AM
New Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh talked to The Gazette today about his new leadership role and some of the first challenges he will face. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Des Moines Public Schools' superintendent has resigned while also challenging his deportation order, his lawyer said today during a press conference.
via AP: www.thegazette.com/education/de...
via AP: www.thegazette.com/education/de...
Des Moines superintendent resigns while he challenges his deportation order, his legal team says
Former Superintendent Ian Roberts had been under the impression from a prior attorney that his immigration case was "resolved successfully," said attorney Alfredo Parrish.
www.thegazette.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Des Moines Public Schools' superintendent has resigned while also challenging his deportation order, his lawyer said today during a press conference.
via AP: www.thegazette.com/education/de...
via AP: www.thegazette.com/education/de...
If you're wondering which political party is to blame for a potential federal government shutdown, boy howdy do I have just the inbox for you.
September 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM
If you're wondering which political party is to blame for a potential federal government shutdown, boy howdy do I have just the inbox for you.
Every so often, because of content responsibilities off the political beat, I get to write stories like this. And oh man, should you read it. Intense, harrowing, uplifting. Great stuff here. www.thegazette.com/news/the-mos...
Eastern Iowa air traffic controller recounts 'most terrifying' landing he's experienced
It was "the most terrifying thing" Nathan Mencke, an air traffic controller at The Eastern Iowa Airport, had ever experienced. One year ago, he helped guide a pilot out of a stall-spin to land safely ...
www.thegazette.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Every so often, because of content responsibilities off the political beat, I get to write stories like this. And oh man, should you read it. Intense, harrowing, uplifting. Great stuff here. www.thegazette.com/news/the-mos...
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, her administration’s education department, and Iowa House Republicans on Saturday said more about the arrest of Des Moines Public Schools’ superintendent by federal immigration officers. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
State to review Des Moines schools' hiring policies, Reynolds calls superintendent's arrest 'shocking'
In her first extended statement since Friday's arrest of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Saturday called the incident "shocking" and said, "We must enfo...
www.thegazette.com
September 27, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, her administration’s education department, and Iowa House Republicans on Saturday said more about the arrest of Des Moines Public Schools’ superintendent by federal immigration officers. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
A new legislative agenda-setting leader has been chosen in the Iowa Senate. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
New Republican leader chosen for Iowa Senate
Iowa Sen. Mike Klimesh, of Spillville, is the new legislative agenda-setting leader of the Iowa Senate, as selected by his Republican colleagues Wednesday
www.thegazette.com
September 24, 2025 at 11:30 PM
A new legislative agenda-setting leader has been chosen in the Iowa Senate. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Reposted by Erin Murphy
Firing comes a week after Board of Regents discussed Caitlyn Spencer in closed session www.thegazette.com/higher-educa...
September 24, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Firing comes a week after Board of Regents discussed Caitlyn Spencer in closed session www.thegazette.com/higher-educa...
Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia, leader of the agency that operates the state's Medicaid and public health programs, is resigning, Gov. Reynolds has announced. Garcia will be replaced by Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing Dir. Larry Johnson. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Garcia resigns as Iowa HHS Director, will be replaced by Iowa DIAL leader
Kelly Garcia was the agency's director through the COVID-19 pandemic, its consolidation into the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and a redesign of the state's mental and behavioral healt...
www.thegazette.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia, leader of the agency that operates the state's Medicaid and public health programs, is resigning, Gov. Reynolds has announced. Garcia will be replaced by Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing Dir. Larry Johnson. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
An absolutely outstanding journalist and an even better person. I could not be more proud of and happy for @claymasters.bsky.social. And Minnesota listeners will benefit. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
MPR News names Clay Masters as next All Things Considered host
Clay Masters has been covering state and national politics for MPR News since his arrival in January 2024. Before that, he worked for 12 years at Iowa Public Radio, 10 of them as a host of Morning Edi...
www.mprnews.org
September 17, 2025 at 4:53 PM
An absolutely outstanding journalist and an even better person. I could not be more proud of and happy for @claymasters.bsky.social. And Minnesota listeners will benefit. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver will step down as leader and not seek re-election in 2026. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Whitver to step aside as leader of Iowa Senate, will not seek re-election
Jack Whitver, the Iowa Senate Majority Leader who has been battling a brain tumor for more than a year, will not seek re-election and will step aside as leader, he announced Tuesday.
www.thegazette.com
September 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver will step down as leader and not seek re-election in 2026. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Just recorded this week's On Iowa Politics podcast. Should drop tomorrow a.m. I hope you do every week, but if you can, definitely make some time for this one.
September 11, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Just recorded this week's On Iowa Politics podcast. Should drop tomorrow a.m. I hope you do every week, but if you can, definitely make some time for this one.
In the newly open #ia02, we have a second Republican candidate: former #ialegis lawmaker and Trump administration official Joe Mitchell: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
Iowa's Mitchell announces U.S. House campaign to 'have President Trump's back'
Mitchell, a 28-year-old property developer from Clear Lake, becomes the second Republican to officially declare a campaign in Eastern Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, which became an open-seat elect...
www.thegazette.com
September 8, 2025 at 1:17 PM
In the newly open #ia02, we have a second Republican candidate: former #ialegis lawmaker and Trump administration official Joe Mitchell: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
Iowa Republican Joni Ernst announced today she will not seek re-election to a third term in the U.S. Senate.
* Ernst explains why
* Ernst's Senate tenure and election history
* What's next for Ernst
* Impact to Iowa's Senate election
* Reaction + more: thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
* Ernst explains why
* Ernst's Senate tenure and election history
* What's next for Ernst
* Impact to Iowa's Senate election
* Reaction + more: thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
Iowa's Ernst makes it official, will not seek re-election to third U.S. Senate term
Saying it is time to give back to the family that has supported her during her career in public service, Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in a video message announced Tuesday that she will not see...
thegazette.com
September 2, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Iowa Republican Joni Ernst announced today she will not seek re-election to a third term in the U.S. Senate.
* Ernst explains why
* Ernst's Senate tenure and election history
* What's next for Ernst
* Impact to Iowa's Senate election
* Reaction + more: thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
* Ernst explains why
* Ernst's Senate tenure and election history
* What's next for Ernst
* Impact to Iowa's Senate election
* Reaction + more: thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
As the youths like to say, today is giving ... www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-sta...
The Domino Effect
One announcement single-handedly changed the entire look of the 2014 election season in Iowa, its impact felt from the nation's capitol in Washington, D.C., to the city of Dubuque.
www.telegraphherald.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:59 PM
As the youths like to say, today is giving ... www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-sta...
Iowa will have an open-seat U.S. Senate election in 2026; Republican Sen. Joni Ernst just confirmed this weekend's national reporting and announced she will not seek a third term. www.thegazette.com/national-pol...
Iowa's Ernst makes it official, will not seek re-election to third U.S. Senate term
Saying it is time to give back to the family that has supported her during her career in public service, Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in a video message announced Tuesday that she will not see...
www.thegazette.com
September 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Iowa will have an open-seat U.S. Senate election in 2026; Republican Sen. Joni Ernst just confirmed this weekend's national reporting and announced she will not seek a third term. www.thegazette.com/national-pol...
What are the Democratic candidates for Iowa governor saying about how they would manage the state program that provides taxpayer-funded scholarships for K-12 private school tuition, including whether they would repeal it?
So glad you asked. thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
So glad you asked. thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
Here's what Sand, Stauch would do about Iowa private school funding as governor
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Rob Sand and Julie Stauch both say they would propose significant changes to the state program that provides taxpayer-funded scholarships for K-12 private school tuition.
thegazette.com
August 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
What are the Democratic candidates for Iowa governor saying about how they would manage the state program that provides taxpayer-funded scholarships for K-12 private school tuition, including whether they would repeal it?
So glad you asked. thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
So glad you asked. thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
ICYMI over the weekend:
Voters are telling Iowa Democrats they want something different from the party. Some 2026 Dem candidates are taking new approaches with voters. We spent much of the summer talking to voters, candidates and more for this story: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
Voters are telling Iowa Democrats they want something different from the party. Some 2026 Dem candidates are taking new approaches with voters. We spent much of the summer talking to voters, candidates and more for this story: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
After a decade of defeats, some Iowa Democrats changing the way they talk to voters
Iowa Democrats' campaign speeches sound different this year as the party attempts to win back voters they have lost in the state over the past decade.
www.thegazette.com
August 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
ICYMI over the weekend:
Voters are telling Iowa Democrats they want something different from the party. Some 2026 Dem candidates are taking new approaches with voters. We spent much of the summer talking to voters, candidates and more for this story: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
Voters are telling Iowa Democrats they want something different from the party. Some 2026 Dem candidates are taking new approaches with voters. We spent much of the summer talking to voters, candidates and more for this story: www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
Iowa voters are telling Democrats they want something different from the party. Are the candidates listening?
We spent the past few months talking to voters, candidates, party leaders and more as some Iowa Dems try out new campaign messaging this year. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
We spent the past few months talking to voters, candidates, party leaders and more as some Iowa Dems try out new campaign messaging this year. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
After a decade of defeats, some Iowa Democrats changing the way they talk to voters
Iowa Democrats' campaign speeches sound different this year as the party attempts to win back voters they have lost in the state over the past decade.
www.thegazette.com
August 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Iowa voters are telling Democrats they want something different from the party. Are the candidates listening?
We spent the past few months talking to voters, candidates, party leaders and more as some Iowa Dems try out new campaign messaging this year. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...
We spent the past few months talking to voters, candidates, party leaders and more as some Iowa Dems try out new campaign messaging this year. www.thegazette.com/campaigns-el...