The Trump administration announces a $10 million fund for an East Palestine health study while simultaneously cutting billions from scientific research. The contradiction reveals how selective science funding serves political purposes rather than public health priorities.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker dig into the one-off funding opportunity and the context that surrounds it.
Toss some bags about the “Big Beautiful Bill’s” big, ugly impacts… why a successful vocation program is getting the axe… and why egging’s decline may be our country’s greatest recession indicator.
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.
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*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 – East Palestine Health Study – Trump administration announces $10 million study 2.5 years after toxic train derailment
00:30 – East Palestine Disaster Details – February 3rd, 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment with hazardous chemicals
01:00 – Health Impact Comparison – Residents experiencing symptoms similar to 9/11 first responders
01:30 – Research Funding Contradiction – $10 million specific study while cutting NIH by 37% and canceling $750 million in grants
03:30 – Scale of NIH Cuts – 1,400 research grants worth $750 million terminated versus single $10 million study
05:30 – Political Theater vs Genuine Health Priority – Trump administration’s selective approach to public health funding
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