Robin Opsahl

Robin Opsahl

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Robin Opsahl is an Iowa Capital Dispatch reporter covering the state Legislature and politics. Robin has experience covering government, elections and more at media organizations including Roll Call, the Sacramento Bee and the Wausau Daily Herald, in addition to working on multimedia projects, newsletters and visualizations. They were a political reporter for the Des Moines Register covering the Iowa caucuses leading up to the 2020 presidential election, assisting with the Register's Iowa Poll, and reporting on Iowa's 4th District elections.

Sand, Lahn trade attacks on residency, family at first Iowa gubernatorial debate
Iowa

Sand, Lahn trade attacks on residency, family at first Iowa gubernatorial debate

Oct 06, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn accused each other of lying about their residency and family wealth Tuesday while answering questions on the state budget and education during the first 2026 Iowa gubernatorial debate. The debate, hosted by KWQC...
Iowa lawmakers approve bill allowing $1.4B in tax incentives for steel mill project
Iowa

Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law allowing $1.4B in tax incentives for steel mill project

Oct 02, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Friday a measure changing a state’s economic development program that could provide nearly $1.4 billion in tax incentives for a $15 billion steel mill project planned in southeast Iowa. “T oday, we advance the...
Republican Joe Mitchell, Democratic state Rep. Lindsay James spar in 2nd District debate
Iowa

Republican Joe Mitchell, Democratic state Rep. Lindsay James spar in 2nd District debate

Oct 01, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Iowa Rep. Lindsay James, a Dubuque Democrat, and Republican Joe Mitchell traded barbs about one another’s backgrounds and positions in a Thursday debate. The two candidates faced off in a debate hosted by Iowa’s News Now as they seek the...
Chris McGowan, Dave Dawson share plans to lower fuel costs at 4th District debate
Iowa

Chris McGowan, Dave Dawson share plans to lower fuel costs at 4th District debate

Oct 01, 2026
Robin Opsahl
In the first 4th Congressional District of Iowa debate, candidates offered their own solutions to lower gas prices but also expressed concern about cuts to the federal gas tax. The race to succeed U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra is between Republican...
Sand completes second 99-county town hall tour of gubernatorial campaign
Iowa

Sand completes second 99-county town hall tour of gubernatorial campaign

Sep 30, 2026
Robin Opsahl
As Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand completed a 99-county tour for the second time in his gubernatorial campaign, he called for supporters to keep momentum up and bring “ divided government once again” to Iowa. Sand held the final...
Researchers say demographics, behavioral risks account for much of Iowa’s high cancer rates
Iowa

Researchers say demographics, behavioral risks account for much of Iowa’s high cancer rates

Sep 29, 2026
Robin Opsahl
After concluding year one of research into why Iowa has higher instances of cancer than other states, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Iowa College of Public Health officials said their analysis found 76% of...
Iowa lawmakers to convene Friday for special session on tax incentives for steel mill
Iowa

Iowa lawmakers to convene Friday for special session on tax incentives for steel mill

Sep 29, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has called for special legislative session to take place Friday, Oct. 2, to amend the state’s Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program and provide incentives for a steel mill project in Lee County. Tuesday’s announcement comes...
President Donald Trump announces $15 billion steel mill in Iowa
Iowa

President Donald Trump announces $15 billion steel mill in Iowa

Sep 28, 2026
Robin Opsahl
President Donald Trump announced Monday the company Mesabi Metallics plans to build a $15 billion steel mill in Iowa, and said he’ll soon visit the state for a rally ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, election. Joined by Iowa Republicans...
Iowa’s U.S. Senate candidates share fuel cost policies, trade criticisms on campaign trail
Iowa

Iowa’s US Senate candidates share fuel cost policies, trade criticisms on campaign trail

Sep 25, 2026
Robin Opsahl Cami Koons
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and state Rep. Josh Turek both reiterated their calls for Congress to reduce fuel prices as they campaigned Friday for the state’s competitive U.S. Senate seat. At a news conference in Des Moines, Hinson reiterated her...
Hinson highlights support for bills to support rural cancer treatment, research in rural Iowa
Iowa

Hinson highlights support for bills to support rural cancer treatment, research in rural Iowa

Sep 25, 2026
Robin Opsahl
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson highlighted her support for measures to detect cancer and increase clinical trials in the U.S. House while speaking with advocates Friday, saying she would continue this work if elected to the Senate in 2026. Hinson met...
Iowa lawmakers could return for special session on steel plant tax incentives before midterms
Iowa

Iowa lawmakers could return for special session on steel plant tax incentives before midterms

Sep 25, 2026
Robin Opsahl
A Democratic state senator on the Senate’s tax-writing committee said Friday that timing on a potential special session reported Friday is “suspicious” as the 2026 general election draws near. The Des Moines Register first reported lawmakers are considering a potential...
Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit highlights efficiency; critics call for more funding
Iowa

Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit highlights efficiency; critics call for more funding

Sep 24, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said Thursday that recommendations about increased staffing and funding for existing Medicaid fraud elimination efforts will come at later meetings of the state Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force. The task force was established by executive...