About this episode
We meet Henry Menniga, a remarkable young resident of Des Moines who was awarded the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award for his work promoting voter education and community service. Henry and his mom, Molly, talk about the start of his civic interests, a mock election when he was 4. Then, we talk with University of Iowa law scholar Josephine Gittler about why she drafted legislation that is now law, requiring Iowa high schoolers to pass the U.S. citizenship test. And, Iowa State University's Karen Kedrowski and Kelly Shaw discuss the new Center for Cyclone Civics. The center aims to increase civic education and engagement at the university level. (This episode was originally produced Aug. 4, 2025.)
Get every episode summarized
Each time River to River publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from River to River
Judge pens book about the murderer in his hometown, 'A Monster in Mount Pleasant...
River to River
May 5, 202647:56pending
Student loan limits tighten as Iowa tuition climbs
River to River
May 2, 202645:50pending
Political strategist David Axelrod on partisanship, midterms and more
River to River
May 1, 202658:17pending
Key candidates missing from Iowa gubernatorial debate
River to River
Apr 30, 202648:03pending