It's been one year since Iowa's near-total abortion ban took effect, and the numbers tell a devastating story. A 74% drop in abortion services in Iowa means Iowans are traveling hundreds of miles and paying thousands more for healthcare.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker break down the real impact of Iowa's restrictive abortion law on families and communities. From $19,000 emergency cases to overnight drives with young kids, we explore how the ban has forced care out of state.

Toss some bags at one-year of Iowa’s near-total abortion ban… Trump revoking visa workers in Ottumwa… And why LGBTQ Iowans are leaving…

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. This podcast is produced by me and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and our show art is from Desirée Tapia.

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS: YouTube | Substack | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PocketCasts | ... and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

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JT Vonderhaar is taking Iowa history to TikTok as the Iowa Investigator, building a following hungry for untold stories.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith talks with Vonderhaar about creating work while trying to find an audience and the need for storytelling in places like these.

Toss some bags at hidden history… Joe Biden's Song of the Summer... the Forest Gump of the Civil War... Iowa's war with Missouri... and the Iowan who saved a billion lives.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. This podcast is produced by Zachary Oren Smith and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and our show art is from Desirée Tapia.

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS: YouTube | Substack | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PocketCasts | ... and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

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Congress made some devastating cuts this week, slashing $1.1 billion from public broadcasting nationwide. Money that had already been promised to member stations near you. 

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Liz Fleming cover the historic funding cuts that will eliminate 25 jobs at Iowa PBS and will knock 10% of Iowa Public Radio’s budget.

Toss some bags at Congress’ cuts to public media… the money powering Iowa’s federal elections… And why we’re talking about cancer.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. This podcast is produced by Zachary Oren Smith and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and our show art is from Desirée Tapia.

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS: YouTube | Substack | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PocketCasts | ... and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

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Iowa made history this week - stripping away civil rights protections from transgender residents, marking the first time a state has revoked existing civil rights.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker dive deep into Iowa's transgender civil rights rollback - from the massive Capitol protests to what the changes mean for employment, housing, and education protections.

Toss some bags about Iowa rolling back civil rights protections for trans Iowans… Trump heads to the Iowa fairgrounds… officials debunk water safety rumors amid the ongoing nitrate crisis... And hear from Democratic congressional candidate Christina Bohannan.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

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SHOW RUNDOWN:

00:00 - Kevin Tau Drops Out - Zach's "Par Excellence" Pun That Nobody Appreciated

01:30 - Welcome to Cornhole Champions - Iowa Starting Line's Weekly Political Podcast

02:49 - Iowa's Historic Civil Rights Rollback - First State to Strip Trans Protections

03:30 - Capitol Protests Coverage - Avery Reports from the Largest Protest in Iowa History

05:00 - The Bill's Breakneck Speed - Seven Days from Introduction to Governor's Signature

06:30 - What the Changes Mean - Employment, Housing, Education, and Birth Certificate Impacts

07:30 - State Rep Amy Chenail's Statement - "Targeting Trans Community is Tool of Power"

09:00 - Constitutional Challenges Ahead - ACLU Watching for Legal Action

10:13 - Trump's July 4th Iowa Return - America 250 Celebration at State Fairgrounds

11:30 - Regina George Politics - Who Gets to Sit at Trump's Lunch Table?

16:00 - The Evangelical-Authoritarian Blend - Prayer Circles Next to Military Tanks

18:30 - Central Iowa Water Crisis - Nitrate Levels Force Lawn Watering Bans

19:30 - Test Strip Controversy - Residents vs. Official Water Testing Methods

21:30 - Big Ag's Political Influence - Why Real Water Solutions Keep Getting Blocked

25:00 - Farm Economy Struggles - Record Corn Yields but Unprofitable Crop Prices

27:00 - Ethanol's False Promises - Aviation Fuel as Agriculture's "Second Coming"

29:25 - Christina Bohannon Interview - Third Congressional Campaign Against Miller-Meeks

30:00 - The 799-Vote Heartbreaker - Coming Within 0.2% in 2024

32:00 - Split-Ticket Voting Analysis - 33,000 Trump Voters Who Chose Bohannon

35:00 - Bucking Party Establishment - Bohannon's Independent Voice Record

37:30 - Miller-Meeks' Corporate Donors - Big Pharma Money and Insulin Vote Timing

40:00 - Renewable Energy Hypocrisy - Writing Letters vs. Actual Voting Record

42:00 - Building District-Wide Momentum - Massachusetts-Sized District Campaigning

44:00 - Gas Station Rituals - Coke Zero, Slim Jims, and Big Gulp Ice

45:00 - Show Wrap-Up and Iowa Starting Line Promotion

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The Trump administration paused funding for Job Corps centers nationwide, including Iowa's top-rated Ottumwa facility. The cuts eliminate 125 jobs in one of Iowa's poorest counties while stranding vulnerable young people mid-program.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker dig into how a major shift on high ripples out into a small town.

Toss some bags about the “Big Beautiful Bill’s” big, ugly impacts… a "research victory” leaving US research in the hole... and why egging's decline may be our country's greatest recession indicator.

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS: YouTube | Substack | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PocketCasts | ... and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

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SHOW RUNDOWN:

00:00 - Egging Houses and Economic Anxiety

05:00 - Federal Medicaid cuts threatening small-town hospitals, focusing on "Big Beautiful Bill" reconciliation package

08:00 - Work requirements, cost-sharing increases, and federal matching rate reductions for expansion states like Iowa

09:00 - Tony and Lori Lukken family facing loss of Medicaid waiver for ventilator-dependent care in Sergeant Bluff

12:30 - Iowa's Waiver System Problems - Lack of appeal process compared to neighboring states like Nebraska and Missouri

13:30 - Hospital Funding Mechanics - How hospital taxes create federal match funds that get redistributed back

16:00 - Trump administration announcing $10 million study of train derailment health effects in East Palestine

19:00 - 1,400 terminated research grants versus single $10 million study

20:30 - Community skepticism about "too little, too late" approach

22:30 - Trump administration pausing 99 contractor-operated centers including Iowa's top-performing Ottumwa facility

28:00 - Personal Story - Ajai Long's transformation from couch-hopping and depression to stable employment through Job Corps

30:00 - Generational Investment Concept - How current spending prevents future costs and breaks poverty cycles

32:00 - Community Impact - Comparison to Iowa Wesleyan University closure and difficulty replacing specialized employers

33:30 - Show Wrap - Promotion of YouTube, newsletter, and Iowa Starting Line content

35:30 - Post-Credits Banter - Joking about federal government and fake January 6th meeting story

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Christina Bohannan just announced her campaign for Iowa's 1st Congressional District, setting up a potential third consecutive matchup with Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in America's most competitive House race. After losing by just 799 votes in 2024 following a district-wide recount, Bohannan is back for another shot at flipping this crucial swing seat.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker take stock of why this margins of this district continue to be so tight.

Also on this episode… Which hands are up in Iowa’s race for governor… Iowa Republicans are in revolt over Reynolds' CO2 pipeline bill veto… Iowa AG Bird going after law enforcement in Winneshiek… Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS: - YouTube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LsUFhizO07jdk5Wav4mOT7tArltF8z5&si=FryZd7N7tG5tJ5Ju - Substack - https://cornholechampions.substack.com/ - Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cornhole-champions-podcast/id1779497714 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5rzNpiA4IwgLmxbyrhETY6?si=6c4a527fa9ad4f64 - PocketCasts - https://pca.st/74atty1j ... and everywhere you listen to podcasts

SHOW RUNDOWN:00:00 - Cold Open - The Great Iowa Diner Debate and McGriddle Supremacy 07:00 - Show Intro - Christina Bohannan's Third Congressional Campaign 08:30 - Miller-Meeks Problems - Trump Vote Gap and Brand Deficiency 11:46 - Third Campaign Strategy - Building Name Recognition and Infrastructure 16:28 - Governor's Race Lineup - Sherman, Andrews, Feenstra, and Bird 22:32 - Republican Trump Worship - Height Measurements and Accent Analysis 25:03 - Democratic Contenders - Rob Sand's Advantages and Vulnerabilities 33:36 - Trump Name-Dropping 35:19 - Pipeline Revolt - Reynolds vs. GOP "Errand Girl" Attacks 41:30 - Country Club vs. Grassroots - Steve Holt's Class War Analysis44:38 - Immigration Lawsuit - Bird vs. Sheriff Over Facebook Post49:00 - Sheriff Resistance - Zero Iowa Counties Sign 287G Agreements 52:00 - Community Pushback - Republican Immigration Foundation Cracking 55:00 - Show Outro and Post-Show Banter

FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA: - Twitter - https://x.com/zacharyos - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zacharyosmith - Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/zacharyos.bsky.social - Threads - https://www.threads.com/@zachosmith - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyos/

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Months after a deadly shooting in Perry, Iowa, Tyson Foods announced it was pulling out of its plant in the town and taking with it 1,200 jobs. But this month there's some good news. Brazilian meat giant JBS Foods is bringing 500 jobs.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker dive into JBS Foods' $135 million sausage facility announcement and what it means when a town's devastation becomes its selling point. We also explore how Pride events across Iowa are thriving despite losing corporate funding, and break down State Senator Zach Wahls' announcement that he's challenging Joni Ernst for her US Senate seat in 2026.

Special to the newsletter this week, Zach recounts his weekend with Relay Iowa, a 339-mile relay race from Sioux City to Dubuque.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS:

YouTube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LsUFhizO07jdk5Wav4mOT7tArltF8z5&si=FryZd7N7tG5tJ5Ju

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... and everywhere you listen to podcasts

SHOW RUNDOWN:

00:00 - Relay Iowa Recap - Zach's 339-Mile Van Driving "Heroics" Across the State

02:00 - Why the Senate Matters - Six-Year Terms, Farm Bill Power, and Iowa's Outsized Voice

05:30 - Joni Ernst's Background - From Hog Castration to "Make Them Squeal" Campaign Fame

08:30 - Ernst's Voting Record - COVID Relief Opposition, School Vouchers, and Voting Restrictions

09:25 - "We're All Going to Die" - Ernst's Callous Healthcare Town Hall Response

10:00 - The Hegseth Flip-Flop - Ernst Caves to MAGA Pressure Despite Sexual Assault Concerns

12:30 - Term Limits Hypocrisy - Ernst's 2014 Promise vs. 2026 Campaign Reality

13:30 - The Republican Primary - Jim Carlin's America First Challenge to "DC Joni"

16:30 - Zach Wahls Enters the Race - From Viral 2011 Speech to Senate Campaign Launch

22:00 - JD Scholten's Anti-Monopoly Message - Fighting Corporate Consolidation and Wall Street Extraction

24:30 - Nathan Sage's F-Bomb Campaign - Marine Veteran's Working Class Populism

29:00 - Trans Rights Debate - Avery's Concerns About Economic vs. Social Issue Priorities

32:30 - Perry's Second Chance - JBS Brings 500 Jobs Back After Tyson's Devastating Departure

36:30 - Corporate Pride Retreat - Companies Pull $70K+ in Sponsorships Under Trump Pressure

38:30 - Community Fights Back - Individual Donations Replace Corporate Sponsors at Pride Events

42:00 - Zach Wahls Interview - Mobile Home Rights, New Generation Leadership, and Taking on Both Parties

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A six-story Davenport apartment building collapsed, killing three people two years ago. And we can finally read an investigation into the fall that the Scott County Attorney tried to keep secret. Inside: cash workers, altered reports, and a runaway landlord.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker examine the explosive report. We also dive into Senator Joni Ernst's callous town hall moment, telling worried constituents, "we're all going to die" over Medicaid cuts, and explore how Trump's research grant terminations are devastating Iowa universities.

Plus, Amy Rivers interviews India May, the nurse who confronted Ernst and is now running for Iowa House.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS:

YouTube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LsUFhizO07jdk5Wav4mOT7tArltF8z5&si=FryZd7N7tG5tJ5Ju

Substack - https://cornholechampions.substack.com/

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... and everywhere you listen to podcasts

SHOW RUNDOWN:

00:00 Canadian Wildfire Smoke Commentary - Optimizing Half-Full Lungs for Yard Work

02:26 Welcome to Cornhole Champions - Weekly Podcast Introduction

03:21 Joni Ernst "We All Die" Town Hall - Amy Rivers Eyewitness Account

06:53 Ernst's Cemetery Apology Video - Doubling Down with Jesus and Tooth Fairy

08:50 Medicaid Cut Reality Check - 13.7 Million vs Ernst's 1.4 Million Claim

10:33 Ernst's Reelection Signals - Roast and Ride Fundraiser and Democratic Challengers11:36 Davenport Building Collapse Investigation - Steel Beam Shopping When Building Fell

14:42 Andrew Wold's Great Escape - Running from Police Through Garage to House

16:27 Cash Workers and Unlicensed Masons - 14-Year-Old Translator Investigation Details

17:34 Scott County Attorney Stonewalling - Kelly Cunningham's Charge Refusal Reasoning

19:41 Trump Research Funding Cuts - $1.5 Billion in Terminated Grants Nationwide

21:04 Pancreatic Cancer Research Axed - Dr. Cullen's Vitamin C Study Casualties

22:30 "Diverse" Word Triggers Cuts - Rural Mental Health Research Deemed Woke

23:12 Anti-Intellectualism Strategy - Dismantling Scientific Infrastructure and Expertise

25:05 Research Equipment Reality - Why You Can't Just Restart Million-Dollar Labs

26:14 Scientific Brain Drain - Losing America's Research Advantage

27:10 Amy Rivers Interviews India May - The "People Will Die" Town Hall Voice

29:01 India May's Nursing Background - Death Investigator Knows Healthcare Consequences

32:23 Charlie Thompson Library Attacks - Gay Agenda Accusations Against Book Programs

36:09 Iowa Migrant Movement Targeting - Private Information Requests and ACLU Rights

37:00 House District 58 Campaign - Disability Rights and Rural Healthcare Platform

38:07 Progressive Democrats of America - No Kings Protest Planning and Bubble Machines

39:29 Episode Wrap-Up and Credits

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YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Bluesky | Threads | LinkedIn

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith speaks with the Pints & Diplomacy duo, Tyler Stewart and Ryan Comer. They’re two folks with deep roots in Iowa. Folks who love it here. And whose love doesn’t mean their deaf to what’s not working.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman. The best place to follow us is on YouTube. But don’t sleep on our short videos on Instagram and Tiktok (Avery would be pissed). And while you’re at it, subscribe to our flagship newsletter!

We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

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On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Iowa Starting Line's Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers and Avery Staker discuss a federal judge's preliminary injunction against key portions of Iowa's SF 496, the state's controversial "Don't Say Gay" law.

The team also explores Republican representative Megan Jones's accusations that the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation used improper surveillance at the State Capitol, allegedly using geofencing software to monitor mobile devices before deploying the technology to investigate student athletes for illegal sports betting.

Plus, they cover a North Iowa woman facing harassment charges for alleged homophobic slurs and threats, and discuss the media coverage of the WNBA, particularly the problematic framing of the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese "rivalry" and the underlying racism that needs to be addressed.

And somehow, they make time to build a case against the country’s greatest sin: carpeted toilet seat covers.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative. For more, check out cornholechampions.substack.com.

Links:

* 1st Story - Federal judge blocks key parts of Iowa's "Don't Say Gay" law (Little Village)

* 2nd Story - Rep. Megan Jones accuses DCI of improper surveillance at State Capitol (The Gazette)

* 3rd Story - North Iowa woman faces harassment charges for alleged homophobic attacks (KCHA)

* Bonus Story - On WNBA coverage of Clark-Reese rivalry (Dan Finney’s The Paragraph Stacker) (Sports Illustrated)

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