Iowa's Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Tuesday she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department ... Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8244.

Hegseth was confirmed as Secretary of Defense Friday night after a tight Senate vote that had Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tiebreaking vote.

Lake's homecoming to the state initially came as Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, faced intense backlash from President Donald Trump supporters over her hesitation to back the now recently confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Ernst ended speculation by publicly declaring her vote for Hegseth.

In brief remarks, he outlined what he said were his guiding principles: “Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence.”

There will be a lot on the plate for new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when he steps into his office on the Pentagon’s third floor E Ring.

The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth late Friday, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon.

Senators voted 51-49 to advance Hegseth's defense secretary bid, which has been mired in several controversies. Two Republicans oppose him.

Pete Hegseth has lived in the public eye for years. As a well-known television personality and political commentator, he has drawn significant interest in his personal life. In late 2024 ...

Pete Hegseth is accustomed to life in the public eye, but lately, he has faced criticism over his past. In late 2024, The New York Times published an old email from Hegseth’s mother, Penelope ...

A rural ambulance service in Webster County was awarded $300,000 which will help them build a new facility and expand their services. Teodora Mitov reports.

President Donald Trump should rethink his decision to remove security details from three former senior national security officials,

From activists on the far right to Elon Musk, allies of President Donald Trump have been quick to threaten primary challengers for Republican senators who don't back his Cabinet picks and legislative priorities.