WATCH: Why local journalists beat parachute reporters every time (w/ Ty Rushing) – Cornhole Champions #40

By Iowa Production Staff, Zachary Oren Smith, Ty Rushing

September 24, 2025

Ty Rushing made history as the first Black reporter and editor at eight different Iowa publications, but his journey from breaking barriers to breaking down stories reveals something deeper about the evolution of journalism. From covering northwest Iowa’s “playground” of small towns to mentoring the next generation at the University of Iowa, Rushing offers some insight into what shoe leather teaches about the craft.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith dives deep with the Emmy-nominated documentarian about the art of local journalism, the challenge of “parachute reporters,” and why every gas station should have decent coffee.

Toss some bags at making the jump from veteran reporter to rookie professor… The real difference between local and parachute journalism… And why Mike Jones references don’t land with Gen Z students…

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:*
00:00 From Local to Statewide: Expanding Your Coverage Playground
02:30 The “Helicopter Journalist” Problem in Iowa
05:00 Defending Iowa from Coastal Elite Takes
07:30 Transitioning from Top Reporter to Rookie Professor
10:30 Teaching Local Government: More Than Just Meeting Coverage
16:00 Preparing Students for a Consolidated News Industry
18:00 The Time-Consuming Reality of Academic Grading
23:00 Generational Gaps: Mike Jones vs. Gen Z Students

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Iowa Production Staff,

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Zachary Oren Smith,

Zachary Oren Smith is your friendly neighborhood reporter. He leads Starting Line’s political coverage where he investigates corruption, housing affordability and the future of work. For nearly a decade, he’s written award-winning stories for Iowa Public Radio, The Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen. Send your tips on hard news and good food to [email protected].

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Ty Rushing

Ty Rushing is the former Chief Political Correspondent for Iowa Starting Line. He is a trail-blazing veteran Iowa journalist, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and co-founder and president of the Iowa Association of Black Journalists.

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CATEGORIES: POLITICS VIDEO

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