Iowa Down Ballot podcast: Tariffs, funnel and Feenstra

Kathie Obradovich and Laura Belin join Dave Price to discuss the latest in Iowa politics

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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In the latest episode of the Iowa Down Ballot podcast, host Dave Price is joined by Kathie Obradovich of the Iowa Capital Dispatch and Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland to discuss a busy week in Iowa politics, including Funnel Week in the state legislature and the impact of tariffs.

Why it matters

The Iowa Down Ballot podcast provides an in-depth look at the key political issues and events happening in the state, offering valuable insights and analysis from experienced journalists like Obradovich and Belin.

The details

The podcast episode covers a range of topics, including the ongoing debate around tariffs and their impact on Iowa's economy, the legislative process known as Funnel Week, and the political career of Congressman Randy Feenstra.

  • The podcast episode was recorded on February 21, 2026.
  • Funnel Week in the Iowa Legislature took place in late February 2026.

The players

Kathie Obradovich

Kathie Obradovich has been covering Iowa government and politics for more than 30 years, most recently as political columnist and opinion editor for the Des Moines Register. She previously covered the Iowa Statehouse for 10 years for newspapers in Davenport, Waterloo, Sioux City, Mason City and Muscatine.

Laura Belin

Laura Belin is the founder and editor of Bleeding Heartland, a blog that covers Iowa politics and government.

Dave Price

Dave Price is the host of the Iowa Down Ballot podcast.

Randy Feenstra

Randy Feenstra is a Congressman representing Iowa's 4th congressional district.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The Iowa Down Ballot podcast provides valuable insights into the key political issues and events shaping the state, offering a deeper understanding of the forces at play in Iowa politics.