The link between Iowa’s worsening water quality and rising cancer rate
Iowa's rising cancer rate has many causes. Our worsening water quality is one.
Jul
2025
30
All Posts
Jul
2025
29
Restaurant inspection update: Mold, expired food and ‘deceased pests’ reported
State, city and county inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations during the past month, including offenses related to mold, dirty kitchens, long expired food and insect infestations.
Jul
2025
29
Iowa’s abortion ban creates costly travel for women seeking care, data shows
After a 74% drop in abortion services, Iowans increasingly cross state lines for care, while Illinois and other neighbors shoulder a regional burden. Tuesday marks one year since a law that bans most abortions in Iowa went into effect, and new data reported by...
Jul
2025
26
WATCH: The Iowa Investigator’s advice for aspiring content creators
JT Vonderhaar (@jttheiowainvestigator on TikTok) has some advice for aspiring content creators: "climb cringe mountain."
Check out the latest Cornhole Champions interview here: https://youtu.be/GshSxf40XvQ?si=vF7J6JGRdjWS4UMH
Jul
2025
25
WATCH: Climbing Cringe Mountain w/ JT Vonderhaar (aka @jttheiowainvestigator) – Cornhole Champions Chats
JT Vonderhaar is taking Iowa history to TikTok as the Iowa Investigator, building a following hungry for untold stories.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith talks with Vonderhaar about creating work while trying to find an audience and the need for storytelling in places like these.
Toss some bags at Joe Biden's Song of the Summer... the Forest Gump of the Civil War... Iowa's war with Missouri... and the Iowan who saved a billion lives.
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.
*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
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:02:19 - How the Iowa Investigator got started on TikTok
00:04:30 - The random comment that changed everything: "Bro is the Iowa investigator"
00:08:30 - "You gotta climb cringe mountain" - Advice for aspiring creators
00:11:19 - The Government Bridge: Iowa's most historically significant bridge
00:15:00 - Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Abraham Lincoln all connected to one Iowa bridge
00:18:30 - Norman Borlaug: The Iowa man who saved a billion lives
00:23:13 - The Honey War: America's silliest interstate conflict
00:27:00 - Why more wars should be like Iowa's Honey War
*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
- Twitter - https://x.com/zacharyos
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*FOLLOW IOWA STARTING LINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
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- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCXN791Qw5opBRLyvTWYl43w
Jul
2025
25
Iowa working class news you can use: July 25
Iowa Working Class News You Can Use: Iowa’s farmers are left with rising bills and few guarantees as President Donald Trump's second trade war brews—creating a storm of financial pressure in the heart of the state’s farm economy that could ripple beyond 2025,...
Jul
2025
25
Des Moines Starbucks could be 4th in Iowa to unionize; sip-in Saturday
A Des Moines Starbucks could be the next Starbucks store to unionize by next month.
Jul
2025
24
LGBTQ Iowans are fleeing the state: ‘It progressively got worse’
As lawmakers restrict the rights of LGBTQ Iowans, more and more are leaving in favor of states with friendlier laws, with over half saying they've at least considered it.
Jul
2025
23
WATCH: Congress voted to shrink Iowa PBS and Iowa Public Radio (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #32
Congress made some devastating cuts this week, slashing $1.1 billion from public broadcasting nationwide. Money that had already been promised to member stations near you.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Liz Fleming cover the historic funding cuts that eliminate 25 jobs at Iowa PBS and knocked 10% of Iowa Public Radio’s budget.
Toss some bags at Congress’ cuts to public media… the money powering Iowa’s federal elections… And why we’re talking about cancer.
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.
*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
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
0:00 - Zachary's Hot Ones Challenge Disaster & Public Apology to Iowa
4:33 - Congress Passes $1.1 Billion Public Broadcasting Cut
5:30 - Iowa PBS Loses $3.5 Million & 25 Jobs in Historic Cut
8:30 - Iowa Public Radio's $1 Million Loss & Cancelled Positions
9:18 - "It's Just Amy Now" - Northeast Iowa Reporter Position Eliminated
11:02 - Ashley Hinson's Shocking "Left-Wing Propaganda" Statement
11:59 - How Public Radio Manages Iowa's Emergency Alert System
13:00 - Why You Should Support Local Public Media Now
*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
- Twitter - https://x.com/zacharyos
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zacharyosmith
- Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/zacharyos.bsky.social
- Threads - https://www.threads.com/@zachosmith
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyos/
*FOLLOW IOWA STARTING LINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/iastartingline
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- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCXN791Qw5opBRLyvTWYl43w
Jul
2025
23
WATCH: Iowa has FASTEST growing cancer rate in America. Help us learn why (PT 3) – Cornhole Champions #32
Iowa faces a devastating cancer crisis, with the fastest growing rate of new cancers in the nation hitting close to home.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Liz Fleming talk about a new investigation into Iowa's cancer problem, sharing personal stories of loss and exploring potential causes from radon exposure to farming practices. Plus, why Governor Reynolds' $1 million proposal is being called a "mouse fart."
Toss some bags at Congress’ cuts to public media… the money powering Iowa’s federal elections… And why we’re talking about cancer.
Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. This podcast is produced by me and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman, and our show art is from Desirée Tapia.
*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
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
0:00 - Launching Major Investigation: Iowa's Cancer Crisis
1:18 - Amy's Heartbreaking Story: Losing Grandfather & Mom to Cancer
1:57 - What is Radon? Iowa's Invisible Killer Explained
2:52 - Liz's Tragic Loss: Best Friend Katie's 395-Day Battle
4:38 - "It's Creeping Into Young People's Lives" - Cancer Stories
6:00 - Why Iowa Has America's Fastest Growing Cancer Rate
8:43 - Reynolds' $1 Million "Solution" Called "Mouse Fart"
9:43 - How University Funding Cuts Are Hurting Cancer Research
*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
- Twitter - https://x.com/zacharyos
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zacharyosmith
- Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/zacharyos.bsky.social
- Threads - https://www.threads.com/@zachosmith
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyos/
*FOLLOW IOWA STARTING LINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/iastartingline
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IowaStartingLine
- TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@iowastartingline
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- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCXN791Qw5opBRLyvTWYl43w
