Ryan Brainard

Marion

Morning Show Host at KHAK-FM (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Contributor at KOEL-AM (Oelwein, IA)

Mornings on 98.1 KHAK since '99. Father, Husband, DJ....sometimes not in that order.

Articles

The Haunting Truth Behind Iowa's Infamous Murders

1 week ago | kxrb.com | Ryan Brainard

Unfortunately, bad things can happen even in quiet states like Iowa. I've always felt safe living here. But our state is no stranger to crime, including murder. Here are some of Iowa's most infamous unsolved crimes. The Villisca Axe Murders In 2025, the Villisca Axe Murders remains one of the most violent crimes in the history of the state.
The Things We Weren't Prepared For When We Adopted a Rescue Dog

1 week ago | kxrb.com | Ryan Brainard

It has been over two months since we brought our rescue dog Barry home. And while I knew that it would take him a while to adjust to his new life in our home, I simply wasn't prepared for just how long and hard that journey would be. To be fair, the rescue organization we worked with told us that it would take Barry a long time to warm up to us. And while I did hear what they were saying, I was convinced that if I loved him enough, he would become my best friend in a matter of days.
Four Iowa Nursing Homes Added to a List of the Nation's Worst

1 week ago | koel.com | Ryan Brainard

Four Iowa nursing homes have been added to a list of the worst care facilities in the United States. KCRG reports that for the past 17 years, the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have published a list containing nursing homes that have had reoccurring major violations relating to care. Once a facility made the list, it got increased oversight and assistance from the government in an effort to improve resident care according to KCRG.
The Things We Weren't Prepared For When We Adopted a Rescue Dog

1 week ago | koel.com | Ryan Brainard

It has been over two months since we brought our rescue dog Barry home. And while I knew that it would take him a while to adjust to his new life in our home, I simply wasn't prepared for just how long and hard that journey would be. To be fair, the rescue organization we worked with told us that it would take Barry a long time to warm up to us. And while I did hear what they were saying, I was convinced that if I loved him enough, he would become my best friend in a matter of days.
Could A New Madrid Quake Shake Iowa's Foundations?

1 week ago | koel.com | Ryan Brainard

Earthquakes aren't something we think a lot about here in the state of Iowa. We tend to be more worried about tornados and droughts. The 2020 derecho proved the kind of damage a severe storm can do. But perhaps we should also be paying a bit more attention to something that sits just to our southeast. The New Madrid fault line. is a major seismic zone that starts near New Madrid, Missouri and stretches to the southwest for nearly 150 miles.
Ratings Dip For Women's Final Four

2 weeks ago | koel.com | Ryan Brainard

We all knew that Caitlin Clark was a star brighter than the entire basketball galaxy. But this year's women's Final Four ratings confirm just how much college basketball misses #22. Fox News reports that this year's women's Final Four saw a steep drop off from last year's record ratings. The broadcast of the UConn vs. UCLA and South Carolina vs. Texas games averaged around 3.9 million viewers on ESPN. Last year, the number of viewers exceeded 10 million viewers. The missing ingredient? Caitlin Clark.
Casey's Pizza Turns 40! Who Invented Iowa's Favorite Pizza?

3 weeks ago | kxrb.com | Ryan Brainard

While no one is sure which gas station served the very first piece of pizza, here in the state of Iowa the first gas station pizza slice came from Casey's. As Casey's prepares to celebrate 40 years of serving gas station pizza we take a look back at the man who started it all. When Did Casey's Begin Selling Pizza in Stores? The year was 1984. The Des Moines Register reports that a Casey's franchise in Corning, Iowa began experimenting with the foods they served in their store.
Why Is The State of Iowa Spending $50,000 on a UFC Fight?

3 weeks ago | koel.com | Ryan Brainard

The state of Iowa is getting involved in mixed martial arts, as it will help foot the bill for the Ultimate Fighting Championship event being held in Des Moines this spring. UFC Fight Night is coming to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on May 3rd. The Des Moines Register reports that the state of Iowa has approved a $50,000 sports tourism grant.
Why Isn't Ben McCollum a Hawkeye?

1 month ago | kcrr.com | Ryan Brainard

Iowa basketball fans didn't have a team to watch in this year's NCAA Tournament. Instead, they were following a coach. A coach they wanted to be the next head basketball coach at the University of Iowa. And on Sunday, it appeared they were going to be granted their wish. So why hasn't Iowa closed the deal with Drake coach Ben McCollum? First, let's start with the report that got Iowa fans all worked up and excited.
Don't Be The Dumb$#% That Gives All Riders a Bad Name! [OPINION]

1 month ago | kdat.com | Ryan Brainard

As the weather begins to warm, certain sounds return. Birds chirping. Children playing outside. And the sound of motorcycles revving their engines and finally hitting the highway after a long winter in storage. If you own a motorcycle in Iowa, you ride whenever the weather allows. Yesterday afternoon, we saw high temperatures reach the 70s, and the bikes were out and about. I learned how to ride a motorcycle when I was a teen growing up on our family farm. It was a Kawasaki dirt bike.