Laura Belin
@laurarbelin.bsky.social
Reporter covering Iowa politics (and sometimes wildflowers) for the progressive website Bleeding Heartland. https://www.bleedingheartland.com
Part-time statehouse reporter for KHOI Radio in Ames. https://laurabelin.substack.com
Part-time statehouse reporter for KHOI Radio in Ames. https://laurabelin.substack.com
Reposted by Laura Belin
Cannot overstate how, from my perch as a national-security reporter, this would have been an earth-shattering scandal in a prior era.
Billionaire Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, pardoned by Donald Trump, has been accused of facilitating millions of dollars’ worth of payments to Hamas in the wake of its attack on Israel on October 7 2023. Zhao also financed the Trump family's entrance into the cryptocurrency market.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao accused of facilitating payments to Hamas
Crypto tycoon pardoned by Donald Trump faces US court complaint from families of victims of October 7 attack
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Cannot overstate how, from my perch as a national-security reporter, this would have been an earth-shattering scandal in a prior era.
Reposted by Laura Belin
Seems like every day some senator who voted to confirm RFK Jr is pissed off at him about something.
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Seems like every day some senator who voted to confirm RFK Jr is pissed off at him about something.
I forgot to post here tonight before my live radio show about Iowa politics.
But you can listen to "KHOI's Capitol Week" now on any podcast platform or smart speaker.
Tomorrow I'll send out the audio file & written recap (for those who prefer to read) on my free newsletter:
laurabelin.substack.com
But you can listen to "KHOI's Capitol Week" now on any podcast platform or smart speaker.
Tomorrow I'll send out the audio file & written recap (for those who prefer to read) on my free newsletter:
laurabelin.substack.com
Iowa politics with Laura Belin | Substack
Where you get in-depth coverage and exclusive reporting about Iowa politics. Click to read Iowa politics with Laura Belin, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
laurabelin.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:19 AM
I forgot to post here tonight before my live radio show about Iowa politics.
But you can listen to "KHOI's Capitol Week" now on any podcast platform or smart speaker.
Tomorrow I'll send out the audio file & written recap (for those who prefer to read) on my free newsletter:
laurabelin.substack.com
But you can listen to "KHOI's Capitol Week" now on any podcast platform or smart speaker.
Tomorrow I'll send out the audio file & written recap (for those who prefer to read) on my free newsletter:
laurabelin.substack.com
Earlier today, Republican #IAGov candidate Adam Steen celebrated the latest decision to deny the Satanic Temple a permit for a holiday event.
I asked him how the event would harm kids and what other religious beliefs he'd try to keep away from children as governor.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EL2...
I asked him how the event would harm kids and what other religious beliefs he'd try to keep away from children as governor.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EL2...
Adam Steen vows to keep "evil" out of children's way
YouTube video by Bleeding Heartland
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Earlier today, Republican #IAGov candidate Adam Steen celebrated the latest decision to deny the Satanic Temple a permit for a holiday event.
I asked him how the event would harm kids and what other religious beliefs he'd try to keep away from children as governor.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EL2...
I asked him how the event would harm kids and what other religious beliefs he'd try to keep away from children as governor.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EL2...
Reposted by Laura Belin
A federal judge has dismissed the charges against former FBI director James Comey, ruling that the former Trump attorney who brought the charges was not legally serving as the U.S. attorney.
November 24, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A federal judge has dismissed the charges against former FBI director James Comey, ruling that the former Trump attorney who brought the charges was not legally serving as the U.S. attorney.
ICYMI: Last month a lot of Iowa football fans saw a TV ad praising Attorney General Brenna Bird.
My analysis of the $600,000 ad campaign, the obscure group behind it, and some eye-popping poll findings about the AG race:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/23/c...
My analysis of the $600,000 ad campaign, the obscure group behind it, and some eye-popping poll findings about the AG race:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/23/c...
Conservative group attempted image makeover for Brenna Bird
More than a year before the 2026 election, Bird's polling numbers were bad enough to inspire a well-funded outside rescue mission.
www.bleedingheartland.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
ICYMI: Last month a lot of Iowa football fans saw a TV ad praising Attorney General Brenna Bird.
My analysis of the $600,000 ad campaign, the obscure group behind it, and some eye-popping poll findings about the AG race:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/23/c...
My analysis of the $600,000 ad campaign, the obscure group behind it, and some eye-popping poll findings about the AG race:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/23/c...
It's hard to believe how bad a candidate Feenstra is. His early stops on the "statewide tour" are poorly conceived as well.
Covered near the end of this post: laurabelin.substack.com/p/iowa-angle...
Covered near the end of this post: laurabelin.substack.com/p/iowa-angle...
Iowa angles on funding bill, more new candidates, Nunn in trouble
Nov. 17 edition of "KHOI's Capitol Week"
laurabelin.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:11 AM
It's hard to believe how bad a candidate Feenstra is. His early stops on the "statewide tour" are poorly conceived as well.
Covered near the end of this post: laurabelin.substack.com/p/iowa-angle...
Covered near the end of this post: laurabelin.substack.com/p/iowa-angle...
I was shocked as hell that Steve King lost that primary! The field was splintered and I was sure he would get a plurality.
Feenstra's #IAGov campaign rollout could hardly have been worse. Nothing he posts sounds like what someone would say.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/02/t...
Feenstra's #IAGov campaign rollout could hardly have been worse. Nothing he posts sounds like what someone would say.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/02/t...
Thoughts on Randy Feenstra's weird, weak campaign rollout
Laura Belin: For all of his talk about "taking Iowa to new heights," the Republican front-runner's campaign rollout won't get high marks.
www.bleedingheartland.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:09 AM
I was shocked as hell that Steve King lost that primary! The field was splintered and I was sure he would get a plurality.
Feenstra's #IAGov campaign rollout could hardly have been worse. Nothing he posts sounds like what someone would say.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/02/t...
Feenstra's #IAGov campaign rollout could hardly have been worse. Nothing he posts sounds like what someone would say.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/02/t...
I have cautioned people against being too optimistic about Iowa. Voter registration numbers no better now than they were in June when I wrote this:
laurabelin.substack.com/p/real-talk-...
OTOH Feenstra is a terrible candidate.
I'm upbeat about #IA03 and #IA01 and think #IA02 could be in play too.
laurabelin.substack.com/p/real-talk-...
OTOH Feenstra is a terrible candidate.
I'm upbeat about #IA03 and #IA01 and think #IA02 could be in play too.
Real talk on the long odds facing Iowa Democrats in 2026
"It's a very tall order"
laurabelin.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:55 AM
I have cautioned people against being too optimistic about Iowa. Voter registration numbers no better now than they were in June when I wrote this:
laurabelin.substack.com/p/real-talk-...
OTOH Feenstra is a terrible candidate.
I'm upbeat about #IA03 and #IA01 and think #IA02 could be in play too.
laurabelin.substack.com/p/real-talk-...
OTOH Feenstra is a terrible candidate.
I'm upbeat about #IA03 and #IA01 and think #IA02 could be in play too.
Reposted by Laura Belin
Wanna know how bad the Arizona legislator's petition forgeries were? Here's the examples from the Austin Smith indictment.
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24...
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24...
November 24, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Wanna know how bad the Arizona legislator's petition forgeries were? Here's the examples from the Austin Smith indictment.
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24...
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24...
These c4 ads are almost always primarily about helping a politician in an election. The regulations on this are a joke.
November 23, 2025 at 10:45 PM
These c4 ads are almost always primarily about helping a politician in an election. The regulations on this are a joke.
I presume it is a 501(c)(4) but I didn't see confirmation of that.
November 23, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I presume it is a 501(c)(4) but I didn't see confirmation of that.
If you believe this poll, Bird's initial favorability number was just 21% and 40% had an unfavorable view, which would suggest the rest didn't know enough to have an opinion.
November 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
If you believe this poll, Bird's initial favorability number was just 21% and 40% had an unfavorable view, which would suggest the rest didn't know enough to have an opinion.
New post: An obscure group based in Virginia says it spent $600,000 to run a positive ad about AG Brenna Bird on Iowa TV and streaming services.
My analysis of the ad and the surprisingly bad poll numbers that that inspired this outside spending:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/23/c...
My analysis of the ad and the surprisingly bad poll numbers that that inspired this outside spending:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/23/c...
Conservative group attempted image makeover for Brenna Bird
More than a year before the 2026 election, Bird's polling numbers were bad enough to inspire a well-funded outside rescue mission.
www.bleedingheartland.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
New post: An obscure group based in Virginia says it spent $600,000 to run a positive ad about AG Brenna Bird on Iowa TV and streaming services.
My analysis of the ad and the surprisingly bad poll numbers that that inspired this outside spending:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/23/c...
My analysis of the ad and the surprisingly bad poll numbers that that inspired this outside spending:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/23/c...
It was a "framework agreement," I think I read. Of course the Republicans who claimed it was great didn't acknowledge there were many more details to be hammered out.
November 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
It was a "framework agreement," I think I read. Of course the Republicans who claimed it was great didn't acknowledge there were many more details to be hammered out.
New post: You may have heard that President Trump tried to shut down a reporter with the insult, "Quiet, Piggy."
But did you know that journalist (Catherine Lucey of Bloomberg News) has an Iowa connection?
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/22/r...
But did you know that journalist (Catherine Lucey of Bloomberg News) has an Iowa connection?
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/22/r...
Reporter Trump called "Piggy" has an Iowa connection
Laura Belin on the Iowa ties of Catherine Lucey, who became part of a viral video after President Trump told her, "Quiet, Piggy."
www.bleedingheartland.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:52 PM
New post: You may have heard that President Trump tried to shut down a reporter with the insult, "Quiet, Piggy."
But did you know that journalist (Catherine Lucey of Bloomberg News) has an Iowa connection?
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/22/r...
But did you know that journalist (Catherine Lucey of Bloomberg News) has an Iowa connection?
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/11/22/r...
Reposted by Laura Belin
honestly not how I thought this would go
November 21, 2025 at 11:26 PM
honestly not how I thought this would go
Republican strategists must be losing their minds.
November 21, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Republican strategists must be losing their minds.
I'm just catching up on this press conference and it's unreal.
Q: would you feel comfortable living in NYC under a Mamdani administration ?
TRUMP: I would. I really would.
TRUMP: I would. I really would.
November 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
I'm just catching up on this press conference and it's unreal.
Reposted by Laura Belin
"I just say, ‘You know, it’s hard for me to care about Riley Gaines tying for fifth when my swim coach is accused of raping my teammates.”
Gaines never talks about her teammates who were raped by her coach that she supported.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Gaines never talks about her teammates who were raped by her coach that she supported.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
How right-wing superstar Riley Gaines built an anti-trans empire
The swimmer tied a trans woman for fifth. The MAGA industrial complex took care of the rest.
www.motherjones.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
"I just say, ‘You know, it’s hard for me to care about Riley Gaines tying for fifth when my swim coach is accused of raping my teammates.”
Gaines never talks about her teammates who were raped by her coach that she supported.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Gaines never talks about her teammates who were raped by her coach that she supported.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
If you hadn't seen this piece by @marisakabas.bsky.social, it's very good:
www.thehandbasket.co/p/moral-rot-...
www.thehandbasket.co/p/moral-rot-...
Moral rot in elite journalism is killing the whole field
The Nuzzi/RFK Jr. mess and the revelation of Epstein’s journo pals lay bare a profound moral absence at the heart of our free press.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
If you hadn't seen this piece by @marisakabas.bsky.social, it's very good:
www.thehandbasket.co/p/moral-rot-...
www.thehandbasket.co/p/moral-rot-...
Reposted by Laura Belin
It's important to understand what this ad does and why it is so threatening to the Trump admin. It gets to social identity theory, which posits that we have many identities, and the one which is salient in a given context will dictate how we think/behave in a particular situation. 1/
WATCH: After six Democratic lawmakers posted a video urging members of the military not to follow illegal orders, Trump erupted online, accusing them of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” Sen. Elissa Slotkin, one of the senators in that video, joins Chris Hayes to respond.
'HANG THEM': Trump melts down, accuses six Dems of ‘seditious behavior’
YouTube video by MS NOW
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 AM
It's important to understand what this ad does and why it is so threatening to the Trump admin. It gets to social identity theory, which posits that we have many identities, and the one which is salient in a given context will dictate how we think/behave in a particular situation. 1/
We think Sammy has some rat terrier, or maybe Jack Russell. He could be part dachshund because his legs are a bit short for his body.
November 21, 2025 at 3:52 AM
We think Sammy has some rat terrier, or maybe Jack Russell. He could be part dachshund because his legs are a bit short for his body.
Do you know what breed? Our little Sammy is a good jumper and likes to get up on the highest part of the couch. We adopted him from a shelter and have no idea what kind of mix he is.
Your doggo has a similar body shape.
Your doggo has a similar body shape.
November 21, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Do you know what breed? Our little Sammy is a good jumper and likes to get up on the highest part of the couch. We adopted him from a shelter and have no idea what kind of mix he is.
Your doggo has a similar body shape.
Your doggo has a similar body shape.