Robin Opsahl

Robin Opsahl

[email protected]

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.

Nunn pledges to support cancer research; calls for ‘sustainable’ healthcare models
Iowa

Nunn pledges to support cancer research; calls for ‘sustainable’ healthcare models

Jul 10, 2026
Robin Opsahl
ADEL — U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn said Friday the current Republican-led Congress has been the most effective in “generational history” to have moved forward with cancer research funding. Nunn spoke to cancer patients, survivors and advocates at a American Cancer...
Reynolds expresses hope for federal appeal of SNAP ‘unhealthy’ food restrictions
Iowa

Reynolds expresses hope for federal appeal of SNAP ‘unhealthy’ food restrictions

Jul 09, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Though Iowa will not be the one to file court action, Gov. Kim Reynolds said she hoped the federal government will appeal a federal judge’s June decision to stop Iowa and other states from implementing restrictions on “unhealthy” purchases through...
Iowa will host ‘America’s Harvest Festival’ in October as part of America250 celebrations
Iowa

Iowa will host ‘America’s Harvest Festival’ in October as part of America250 celebrations

Jul 08, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Iowa will host “America’s Harvest Festival” at the Iowa Capitol grounds Oct. 24 as part of national celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, Gov. Kim Reynolds, state officials and sponsors announced Wednesday. “It’s been four days since...
Trone Garriott calls for public option, restoring Medicaid funding at cancer event
Iowa

Trone Garriott calls for public option, restoring Medicaid funding at cancer event

Jul 07, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Democratic congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott said Tuesday she believed an important step in addressing Iowa’s cancer crisis was making sure Iowans have consistent, easy access to healthcare — something she said could be accomplished through measures like a national...
These new laws are taking effect in Iowa July 1
Iowa

These new laws are taking effect in Iowa July 1

Jun 30, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Many of the laws advanced during the 2026 legislative session take effect Wednesday, including measures restricting access to abortion-inducing medication, increasing the speed limit on two-lane highways and limiting future governors’ powers during public health and disaster emergencies. July 1...
AG Brenna Bird, with FBI Director Kash Patel, speaks on collaboration with feds
Iowa

AG Brenna Bird, with FBI Director Kash Patel, speaks on collaboration with feds

Jun 29, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Iowa law enforcement and county attorneys met with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel to speak about how local entities can work with federal partners to tackle scams, drug trafficking and other crimes with international ties, Iowa Attorney General...
Libertarian candidates ask court to put them back on 2026 ballot
Iowa

Libertarian candidates ask court to put them back on 2026 ballot

Jun 25, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Libertarian candidate for governor Nicholas Gluba and his running mate, Jules Cutler, are asking the courts to return their ticket to the ballot after being removed by the State Objection Panel. The appeal was filed Tuesday in Polk County District...
State requests change to 2020 audit after Treasury review of Iowa’s use of COVID funds
Iowa

State requests change to 2020 audit after Treasury review of Iowa’s use of COVID funds

Jun 24, 2026
Robin Opsahl
The Iowa Department of Management is asking the state auditor’s office to amend a report that found Gov. Kim Reynolds had improperly used federal COVID-19 relief funds to pay for staff in 2020 after the U.S. Treasury Department determined this...
Reynolds calls ruling ‘short-sighted’ that blocks SNAP restriction on junk food
Iowa

Reynolds calls ruling ‘short-sighted’ that blocks SNAP restriction on junk food

Jun 23, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday called a federal judge’s decision to stop Iowa from restricting the purchase of soda and candy through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program “short-sighted” and said it “does nothing to improve the health of...
Turek criticizes Hinson’s vote for Medicaid cuts at healthcare event
Iowa

Turek criticizes Hinson’s vote for Medicaid cuts at healthcare event

Jun 22, 2026
Robin Opsahl
As the country nears the one-year anniversary of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek said Monday he plans to show Iowans how his Republican opponent Ashley Hinson’s vote for the 2025 tax and spending...
State Objections Panel takes two Libertarian candidates off November ballot
Iowa

State Objection Panel takes two Libertarian candidates off November ballot

Jun 15, 2026
Robin Opsahl
The State Objection Panel ruled Monday that two Libertarian candidates running for governor and Congress should be taken off the 2026 Iowa general election ballot, sustaining challenges to their qualifications as candidates. A third Libertarian survived a challenge to his...
Republicans call for unified support for governor nominee Zach Lahn at state convention
Iowa

Republicans call for unified support for governor nominee Zach Lahn at state convention

Jun 13, 2026
Robin Opsahl
Republican leaders emphasized party unity Saturday at the Iowa Republican State Convention – especially emphasizing the need to rally behind Zach Lahn as the GOP nominee for Iowa governor. Lahn won victory in the closely contested GOP gubernatorial primary June...