The Iowa City City Council candidate wants to bring her library background into city government. When Clara Reynen turned 18, she asked her parents if it would be OK for her to skip school that day because she had something important she wanted to do: Register to...
A new report from a prominent food and environmental advocacy group reveals that at least one in four Iowa children under the age of five and their families are at risk of losing critical nutrition assistance due to the government shutdown in Washington.
From the largest pickleball paddle to the shortest bull to the biggest collection of pencils, discover the Guinness World Records Iowa and its residents hold.
A $3,500 payment from US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ campaign to her son was a mistake, her campaign says—money that should have come from her personal account, not from campaign donors. US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks paid her son $3,500 from her campaign...
News about and for the Iowa working class. 'No Kings' is back: The Indivisible-organized protests against President Donald Trump's authoritarianism, which first took place in June, are back this Saturday, Oct. 18—and there's likely one near you. The federal...
Another young college graduate from Iowa can't find any sort of entry-level job, she told me last week. And AI may be to blame. Meghan Holloran just graduated from Drake University this May with a multimedia journalism degree. She did a year-long apprenticeship...
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch October 15, 2025 Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate issued a warning for Iowans Wednesday about reported mass texts impersonating elected officials and candidates. The state elections official said fraudulent messages were...
The only qualifier a federal employee has to meet to eat free at Flavors of India is to show a work badge to verify their employment. Flavors of India owner Apjeet Makkar wants federal employees to treat his restaurant like their home kitchen as they wait for the...
Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation, and it's getting worse. State Rep. Austin Baeth isn't just a politician. He's a practicing physician who sees cancer patients every day and watches people die from this disease in his palliative care work. His unique perspective as both doctor and lawmaker reveals the harsh reality: Iowa's cancer crisis has identifiable causes and policy solutions, but special interests keep blocking progress.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, I speak with Baeth about why Iowa's cancer rates are skyrocketing when other states are improving. From radon in 70% of Iowa homes to untaxed vaping products, from water contamination to landlord lobbying, we explore the specific regulatory tools that could save lives—and the political roadblocks preventing action.
Toss some bags at Iowa's cancer emergency... Why $20,000 for radon testing disappeared in two months... And how special interests are hurting Iowans...
Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. It’s produced by me and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.
SHOW RUNDOWN:
00:00 Iowa's Cancer Crisis: Second Highest Rate and Rising
03:30 Why Current State Efforts Are Just Getting Started
05:30 The Real Drivers: It's Not Just Smoking and Obesity
08:00 Radon: The Silent Killer in 70% of Iowa Homes
10:00 Why Landlords Block Life-Saving Radon Protections
13:00 New Home Construction: Simple Solutions Blocked by Builders
15:00 Tobacco Taxes: The Evidence-Based Solution Iowa Won't Use
17:00 Making the Political Case When Lives Are at Stake
19:30 How to Contact Lawmakers About Cancer Policy
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ISL’s series The Hot Spot: Investigating Cancer in Iowa comes to an end, but one big question remains: What are we going to do about this crisis?
