In 2020, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks won her seat by one of the closest margins in US history. This past year, she repeated, winning by less than point two percentage points. Leading Iowa political writer Laura Belin to say “there may be no luckier person in Iowa politics” than Miller-Meeks.
But apparently getting lucky isn’t enough for our congresswoman.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, hosts Zachary Oren Smith and Amie Rivers chat about the weirdness of Miller-Meeks decision to pile-on. Also hear about the Scott County Attorney’s decision not to pursue charges against landlord Andrew Wold after his building collapsed killing three people and displaced hundred more.
Finally, hear from Cindy Yelick, the director of Heartland AEA, about the tough road ahead her AEA and the students it serves.
Links:
1. Congress member, ex-Iowa senator join Trump suit over Des Moines Register Iowa Poll (Des Moines Register): https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2025/02/04/us-rep-mariannette-miller-meeks-former-state-sen-brad-zaun-join-trump-lawsuit-over-iowa-poll/78183537007/?tbref=hp
2. No charges in Davenport building collapse; “Nothing about this fact pattern … constitutes a crime” – Scott County attorney (The Quad-City Times): https://qctimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/davenport-building-collapse-2023-no-criminal-charges-andrew-wold/article_7c8832dc-e28b-11ef-9aa6-1701cb54be34.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
3. Heartland AEA begins dramatic restructuring following Republican’s AEA changes and cuts (Iowa Starting Line): https://iowastartingline.com/2025/01/31/heartland-aea-cuts-education/
Guests:
Cindy Yelick is the chief administrator of Johnston-based Heartland AEA which serves 11 counties in central Iowa.
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.
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Iowans and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Iowa Starting Line has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Iowan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
WATCH: This day in history: Anti-gay media personality Anita Bryant pied in Des Moines
On this day in 1977, gay rights activist Thom Higgins pied anti-gay media personality Anita Bryant at a press conference in Des Moines. Bryant was...
WATCH: Protestors chant ‘quit your job’ at ICE officers in Cedar Rapids
This video was posted to social media amid a growing presence of ICE across the nation. Follow Iowa Starting Line for more.
WATCH: How Iowans can push back this Banned Books Week
Have a favorite banned book? Share it with us in the comments! We promise not to report you to Kim Reynolds.
WATCH: UnityPoint spends millions on union-busting instead of safer workplace policies
Nearly 2,000 nurses at UnityPoint Health are unionizing in what is considered the largest union effort in Iowa's history. They're also facing a...
WATCH: Trump float booed at Iowa City homecoming parade
Parade attendees expressed their frustration amid immigration crackdowns in Iowa.
WATCH: Long-term impacts of Iowa’s abortion ban
New data reported by abortion providers show the impacts of Iowa's six-week abortion ban have been felt far and wide.
