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Iowa investigators face scrutiny for university sports betting probe

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River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

Officials at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are alleged to have lied to their own agents in pushing forward an investigation into online gambling by University of Iowa and Iowa State University student athletes.

On this episode of River to River, Tyler Jett of the Des Moines Register details the latest court filings in the cases of UI and ISU student-athletes and student managers charged with online gambling.

Two dozen people have been criminally charged in addition to facing NCAA investigations and penalties. The investigation and its coverage have recently faced criticism from state government leaders and collegiate coaches. Drake University law professor Keith Miller also joins the conversation to discuss the state's sports gambling laws and complaints about the investigation.

Later in the episode, IPR State Government Reporter Katarina Sostaric joins to discuss House File 2082, which is scheduled to have a subcommittee meeting at the Statehouse this week.

The bill proposes to remove gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, and adds gender dysphoria diagnosis to the definition of disability under state code.

Kris Maul, who identifies as a transgender man, shares how this legislation would impact him and his family in Iowa.

Republican Representative Jeff Shipley, who filed the bill, and Democratic Rep. Ross Wilburn also join the conversation.

Guests:

  • Tyler Jett, investigative reporter, Des Moines Register
  • Keith Miller, Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Law, Drake University
  • Kris Maul, Urbandale resident
  • Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham
  • Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Katarina Sostaric is IPR's State Government Reporter, with expertise in state government and agencies, state officials and how public policy affects Iowans' lives. She's covered Iowa's annual legislative sessions, the closure of state agencies, and policy impacts on family planning services and access, among other topics, for IPR, NPR and other public media organizations. Sostaric is a graduate of the University of Missouri.
Samantha McIntosh is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University. Since 2022, McIntosh has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Madeleine Willis is IPR's Production Assistant supporting the talk shows and The Sunny Side Project. Willis has experience in audio production, reporting, writing and editing stories and conversations. She's reported and produced conversations on womanhood, sports, and good news from across Iowa. Willis will receive her bachelors degree from the University of Iowa in May 2025.