Five Americans are back in the United States after being held in Iranian custody.

Almost 200 state employees in Illinois are accused of fraud in the Paycheck Protection Program.

And Democrats in Iowa plan to hold an early caucus … sort of.

Host Jim Niedelman covers that with former Rock Island County Republican Party Chair Drue Mielke and former Rock Island mayor Mark Schwiebert, a Democrat, who address the fraud issue.

“It’s giving every state in the union a black eye,” Mielke said. “It’s not just Illinois.”

“I think it does reflect a breach of trust,” Schwiebert said. “It’s a national problem.”

Hear what else our panelists have to say when you click on the video.

Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 The Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you.  It’s a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on what’s happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home.