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Iowa News You Can Use

WATCH: Advice for Democrats running in rural districts

By Staff Reports

February 23, 2025
We can’t win races we don’t compete in. On a new Cornhole Champions podcast, an honest conversation about what that costs, and why Jess Piper of Blue Missouri did it anyway.

Video created: Feb. 23, 2025

CATEGORIES: POLITICS VIDEO
POLITICS VIDEO
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WATCH: From Instagram activism to running for Iowa Senate (w/ Catelin Drey) (PT 2) – Cornhole Champions #36

Can Democrats win in deep-red western Iowa? As Republicans dominate rural districts, one mom is betting that grassroots organizing and door-to-door conversations can flip a seat that hasn’t seen Democratic representation in years.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith sits down with Caitlyn Drey, the 37-year-old founder of Moms for Iowa, who’s running in a special election for Iowa Senate District 1 in Sioux City.

Toss some bags at “no” tax on tips… merit pay for teachers… a Sioux City special election next week… and a new candidate taking on US Rep. Ashley Hinson.

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.

*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:30 – Democrats Beating Odds in Rural Iowa Districts
01:30 – How “Moms for Iowa” Instagram Account Started a Movement
03:30 – From Phone Calls to Running for Office (The Gulf)
04:30 – Uvalde Shooting Sparks Mom’s Political Awakening
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09:00 – School Voucher Fight That Changed Everything
12:00 – Why Losing Rural Schools Destroys Communities
14:30 – Special Election Strategy: Knocking Every Door

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… and everywhere you listen to podcasts

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WATCH: The real cost of “no tax on tips” (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #36

WATCH: The real cost of “no tax on tips” (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #36

The “one big, beautiful bill” promises to help working Americans – but does it deliver? While Republicans celebrate no tax on tips with flashy Instagram ads, the reality for service workers is far more complicated.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith and Amy Rivers break down the actual impact of the no tax on tips policy.

Toss some bags at “no” tax on tips… merit pay for teachers… a Sioux City special election next week… and a new candidate taking on US Rep. Ashley Hinson.

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.

*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:30 – Republicans’ “Bump It” Style Tax Ad
02:30 – No Tax on Tips: The $25,000 Limit Nobody Mentions
04:30 – Why Service Workers Still Pay Payroll Taxes
06:00 – GOP Rep’s Embarrassing 10% Tip Goes Viral
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10:30 – Iowa DOGE Wants Performance Pay for Teachers
12:00 – Why Merit Pay Punishes Students Who Need Help Most
15:00 – The Business Model That’s Killing Public Education

*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

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