Veteran political journalist Kay Henderson named host of Iowa Press

Stephen Gruber-Miller
Des Moines Register
Kay Henderson

Radio Iowa News Director Kay Henderson has been named host of Iowa Press — the first woman to fill the role in the show's 50-year run.

Henderson replaces longtime political journalist David Yepsen as host and moderator of the Iowa PBS program.

Yepsen will retire following his final program on Sept. 10, although he will return for Iowa PBS political specials and other broadcasts. Henderson's first broadcast as host will be Friday, Sept. 17, according to a news release.

Henderson is a longtime panelist on Iowa Press, first appearing on the show in October 1987. Since then, she has been a regular presence on the show, substituting as host on occasion and moderating campaign debates for more than three decades.

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"It's an honor to be invited to take on this new role," Henderson said in the release. "Watching Iowa Press hosts Dean Borg and David Yepsen guide the program over the past 34 years has given me a glimpse of the responsibilities ahead. I'm humbled by the opportunity and excited about the task of helping Iowa Press move into its fifth decade of service to our viewers."

Henderson has been news director of Radio Iowa, a statewide news and sports network serving more than 70 commercial radio stations, since 1994. She will remain in that role along with her new duties as Iowa Press host, according to the release. She has also been the national political director for Learfield news networks in Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

She has appeared on PBS NewsHour, NBC's "Meet the Press" and ABC's "This Week," as well as CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, the release said.

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Andrew Batt, Iowa Press' senior producer, praised Henderson in the release.

“After three decades of Iowa public affairs coverage on radio and on Iowa Press, Kay Henderson is the backbone of political journalism in this state,” he said. “Our viewers have found Kay to be a trusted source for news and information throughout annual legislative sessions and nearly 20 election cycles.”

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.