US Sen. Joni Ernst announced this week that she's not running for reelection. Already, US Rep. Ashley Hinson has jumped in. Before we get into the race, let's talk about political legacy.
Zach Nunn can't seem to find somebody representative of his district to publicly support him... weird.
This summer, Iowans learned that the State Historical Society's research center in Iowa City will close on June 30, 2026. More than half of the center's collection may be scattered, sold, or destroyed. Iowans are rightfully concerned about the potential loss of irreplaceable records of their state's history, many of which have been donated by locals.
Find out more on the latest episode of Cornhole Champions here: https://youtu.be/SMncHdWcPPo?si=kLBiLZDkGTs-iAhf
Iowa's skin cancer rates are sky high. A solution? Slip, slop, slap.
Find out more on the latest episode of Cornhole Champions, where host Zachary Oren Smith interviews dermatologist Dr. Marta Van Beek about the state's skin cancer problem: https://youtu.be/UlqbwTWClC8?si=T2gr77RcfZzJY0GQ
Iowa workers are bearing the cost of policy decisions made in Washington.
Find out more on the newest episode of Cornhole Champions here: https://youtu.be/7ThZiTN-fjU?si=cee_E4WTdyStZ-SH
Big if true: US Sen. Joni Ernst is reportedly telling her inner circle that she's not running for reelection. Zach digs into what that could mean.
The EPA removed Iowa drinking water sources from a list of impaired waterways, but not because the water quality got any better.
Iowa ranks fifth nationally for melanoma—a rate similar to Arizona—and the reason might surprise you. It's not just about UV radiation. It's about who's spending their days outside and how we protect ourselves.
Dr. Marta Van Beek, a dermatologist at UI Healthcare, breaks down the reality: agricultural workers face 60% higher skin cancer rates, there's no such thing as a "healthy tan," and most of us are applying sunscreen completely wrong. (Spoiler: it's every two hours, not just when you remember.)
Toss some bags with a dermatologist about why Iowa's skin cancer rate is high and what you can do to reduce your chances of being part of the statistic.
Toss some bags at Iowa's surprising skin cancer crisis... why "pale is in vogue"... and the two-hour sunscreen rule that changes everything...
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Why Iowa ranks 5th nationally for melanoma (higher than Arizona!)
01:58 - Agricultural workers face 60% higher skin cancer rates
03:30 - The two-hour sunscreen rule most people don't follow
06:30 - Rural healthcare barriers: living far from dermatologists
09:00 - "No such thing as a healthy tan" - myth debunked
10:00 - Iowa's tanning bed problem: one of only 6 states with no restrictions
12:00 - Why tanning is actually addictive (endorphins released)
14:30 - "It's never too late" - why 50-year-olds should still protect skin
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Iowa is closing its Historical Society research center in Iowa City to save money, potentially unloading 60% of the collection, including irreplaceable Meskwaki Nation artifacts, Civil Rights Movement records, and Women's suffrage documents.
On this segment of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker explore the devastating impact of closing Iowa City's archive.
Toss some bags at declining school enrollment... the coming loss of a historical archive in Iowa City... And how the 1986 Deere strike connects to today's tariff layoffs...
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.
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:30 - Coffins on Doorsteps: The Dramatic Rally to Save Iowa History
01:00 - Suzanne White Buffalo's Powerful Speech: "You Are the Reason Why"
02:00 - 60% of Collection May Be Lost: What Happens to Donated Materials?
02:30 - The Meskwaki Nation: Cultural Genocide Continues Through Neglect
04:30 - Civil Rights and Women's Suffrage Archives Under Threat
06:30 - The Real Budget Story: Unlimited Vouchers vs. $800K for History
07:30 - What This Says About Iowa's Values and Priorities
08:30 - State Rep Adam Zabner: "Fighting Back Against This Decision"
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157 Iowa school districts now depend on budget guarantees as public school enrollment drops 0.63% while nearly 28,000 kids use taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools. That's 43 more districts on life support than before the pandemic, revealing how voucher programs and brain drain are systematically hollowing out Iowa's public education system.
On this segment of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker break down the enrollment crisis hitting Iowa communities.
Toss some bags at declining school enrollment... the coming loss of a historical archive in Iowa City... And how the 1986 Deere strike connects to today's tariff layoffs...
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.
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
01:00 - Tim Conroy's Epic D&D Realtor Ad: Supporting Local Media Done Right
05:30 - Welcome to Cornhole Champions: Iowa's Education Crisis Begins
07:00 - The Shocking Numbers: 157 Districts on Budget Guarantee
08:30 - What Budget Guarantees Really Mean for Iowa Communities
09:30 - The Voucher Paradox: Funding Both Public AND Private Schools
10:30 - Why School Closures Devastate Entire Towns
11:30 - Moving 6th Grade Back: Desperate Strategy or Band-Aid Solution?
12:30 - Des Moines' Radical 10-Year Education Overhaul Plan
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