Iowa

President Obama closed out his three-day bus trip across Iowa with an assist— from First Lady Michelle Obama. Her visit helped to highlight the president’s softer side—and remind Iowa why it holds such a special place for the first family.

Lolo Jones, Gabby Douglas, Miranda Leek, Lisa Uhl, and Jake Varner, these are the athletes Iowans will be watching particularity closely at the Olympic games in London. On today’s “Talk of Iowa” we take a look back at the trials and triumphs of Iowa Olympians past.

RAGBRAI XL, the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, rolls out of Sioux Center on Sunday. On the latest "Talk of Iowa", host Charity Nebbe spoke with the director of RAGBRAI, TJ Juskiewicz. Juskiewicz shared what is new for this year's route, why the tradition has continued over the years, and how the weather might affect the ride.

Most of Iowa is now experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions… along with more than half the country.  On today's "River to River' we hear from farmers, business owners and cities about how they’re being affected.  We talk with Elwynn Taylor about the prospects for turning the dry weather around.  And Harry Hillaker tells us how this drought compares with others in the state’s history. 

More and more entrepreneurs are finding niches for creative business ventures in Iowa. This hour on River to River, we'll talk with Mike Colwell, the Executive Director of the Business Innovation Zone about how that state is becoming a hub for young professionals. We're also joined by two attorneys who started a B-Amazing Foods, a nutrition bar company, and a video producer who found her entrepreneurial spirit by moving to Des Moines. Veel Hoeden, a shared workspace in Pella.

Looking to travel this summer? On today's Talk of Iowa, travel writer Jennifer Wilson joins us to talk about the best places to visit in Iowa during the heat of summer. She'll give us a glimpse of some of the best festivals, state parks, and restaurants to tour across the state.

Honey bees are at risk around the world.   On today's Talk of Iowa we’ll discuss bees, bee behavior and biology, why we need them, and why they’re in jeopardy.  We’ll also talk about beekeeping as a hobby and the business end of honey production and pollination.  Guests are the State Apiarist, Andrew Joseph, beekeeper Jesse Randall, a professor at Iowa State University, and honey-producer Curt Bronnenberg of the Spring Valley Honey Farms of Perry.

There are more than 18,000 volunteer firefighters in the state of Iowa. Men and women who would risk their lives to save yours. On today’s Talk of Iowa, we speak with several volunteers from across the state, including service members from Pella, Evansdale, and Coralville. But first, we talk with members of the Butler family, who are featured in the documentary “Iowa’s Firefighting Family”. The documentary premieres on Iowa Public Television tonight at 7 p.m.

The WNBA opens play this weekend and former University of Iowa player Tangela Smith will be in uniform for the San Antonio Silver Stars. It was here in Iowa, 34 years ago, where women's professional basketball was born. We look back at charter team and its biggest star. Historic audio from the Iowa Women's Archives.