Iowa is hemorrhaging talent at an alarming rate, and the economic impact is staggering. A new report reveals that 34% more college graduates leave Iowa than stay, with the 2023 cohort alone representing a devastating $17.6 billion loss in potential income for the state.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker break down Iowa’s massive brain drain crisis. From abortion bans driving away OB-GYNs to immigration crackdowns affecting blue-collar workers, we explore the policy decisions pushing talent out of Iowa.
Toss some bags about the economic cost of brain drain… how pesticides contribute to Iowa’s cancer problem… and how the Iowa Supreme Court is approaching new “strict scrutiny” language.
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.
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 – Iconic 1980s Waterloo Tourism Commercial (Cold Open)
06:30 – Iowa’s $17.6 Billion Brain Drain Crisis Begins
08:00 – Why 34% More College Graduates Leave Than Stay
09:00 – Abortion Ban Driving Away OB-GYN Doctors
10:30 – Immigration Crackdowns Affecting Blue-Collar Workers
13:30 – Iowa Losing Population Even to Other Midwest States
16:30 – Generation Z LGBTQ+ Exodus: “Most of My Friends Are Leaving”
17:30 – Why Even Iowa City and Des Moines Aren’t Safe Anymore
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