The Trump administration wants to cut Job Corps programs across the country, which will leave a big gap in Ottumwa's community.
Learn more about it on the latest episode of Cornhole Champions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzECAsvY2wI
This morning, Iowa became one of the first states to remove the civil rights of transgender residents. Here's one story from an Iowan impacted by the change.
Attorney General Brenna Bird is pursuing legal action against Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx over a Facebook post questioning unconstitutional immigration enforcement, despite Marx's full compliance with all ICE detainer requests. On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker talk through the story and how this could impact law enforcement's independence.
Also on this episode… Bohannan to take another swing at unseating Miller-Meeks… Which hands are up in Iowa’s race for governor… Iowa Republicans are in revolt over Reynolds CO2 pipeline bill veto…
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:*
00:30 - Facebook Post Controversy - Sheriff Questions Unconstitutional Detainer Requests
01:47 - Compelled Speech Demand - Bird Wants Personal Apology from Sheriff
02:51 - Facebook Status Overreaction - Lawsuit Over Procedure Explanation
04:00 - No Iowa Sheriffs Sign - Dubuque Sheriff Warns of Targeting
06:37 - Economic Reality Check - Donor Pressure on Trump Administration
07:00 - Independent Sheriff Culture - Elected Law Enforcement Philosophy
10:57 - Host Sign-offs
11:10 - Post-Show
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A crowded field is shaping up in Iowa’s governor's race. From US Rep. Randy Feenstra to State Auditor Rob Sand, candidates are preparing for a mad dash to 2026.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker parse threw the candidates who have announced or are likely to announce. Hear about who has thrown their hat into the race.
Also on this episode… Bohannan to take another swing at unseating Miller-Meeks… Iowa Republicans are in revolt over Reynolds' CO2 pipeline bill veto… Iowa AG Bird going after law enforcement in Winneshiek…
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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... and everywhere you listen to podcasts
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Show Intro - Governor's Race Overview Following Kim Reynolds' Surprise Exit
00:30 - Brad Sherman Analysis - First GOP Candidate with Extreme Positions
02:30 - Eddie Andrews - Tech Entrepreneur Turned State Rep
05:00 - Randy Feenstra - Congressman Seeking Statewide Office
07:00 - Brenna Bird - Attorney General's Trump Connection
10:00 - Early Money Matters - Feenstra's Donor List Strategy
10:40 - Democratic Side Introduction - Rob Sand's Statewide Advantage
16:30 - Julie Stauch - Buttigieg Alum's Listening Tour Strategy
17:00 - Trump Name-Dropping Analysis - Republican Candidates' Marketing Strategy
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Corporate America is pulling back from Pride Month as Iowa LGBTQ+ organizations feel the financial squeeze from Trump's anti-DEI push. Des Moines Capital City Pride lost nearly $70,000 when Nationwide and Mid-American Energy walked away, while Iowa City Pride saw $15,000 in support disappear. But record individual donations and packed attendance prove the queer community's resilience runs deeper than corporate sponsorship dollars.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker discuss how Iowa's Pride organizations are adapting to lost corporate funding while doubling down on grassroots community support.
Also in this episode, an overview of Iowa's 2026 Senate race. Perry's second chance. And a one-on-one with US Senate candidate Zach Wahls.
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.
*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
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... and everywhere you listen to podcasts
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Corporate Pride Pullback - Iowa Organizations Lose $85,000+ in Sponsorships
00:47 - The Pendulum Swing - Corporate America's Profit-Driven Pride Strategy
01:10 - "Gay is Cool" - How Pride Became a Marketing Opportunity
01:30 - Queer Resilience - Community Survives Beyond Corporate Support
02:06 - Individual Donations Surge - Capital City Pride Sees Record Grassroots Funding
02:51 - Attendance Up Despite Funding Down - Community Shows Up Regardless
03:00 - Pride's Radical Roots - Remembering Stonewall Was a Riot
03:30 - Des Moines People's Pride - Community-Organized Alternative at Waterworks Park
04:13 - June 14th Event Preview - Queer Elder Panel and Local Artists
04:49 - Finding Real Allies - When Fair Weather Friends Reveal True Support
05:23 - Iowa Pride Events Statewide - Supporting Community Over Corporations
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The Trump Administration has terminated over 1,600 research grants nationwide, cutting more than $1.5 billion in federal funding and leaving Iowa's research universities scrambling to save critical projects.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker talk about how these massive cuts are devastating Iowa's scientific infrastructure.
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.
*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
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- PocketCasts - https://pca.st/74atty1j
... and everywhere you listen to podcasts
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:30 - Cancer Research Gets the Axe - University of Iowa Professor's Pancreatic Cancer Study Terminated
01:30 - "Diverse" Triggers Grant Termination - How One Word Killed Research Grant
02:30 - Foreign Disinformation Studies Cut - $1.7 Million Grant Protecting Americans Canceled
04:30 - Innovation Infrastructure Under Attack - Why R&D Labs Can't Just "Turn Back On"
06:30 - America's Scientific Brain Drain - Scientists Leaving as US
*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
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Iowa Republicans openly argued on the Senate floor this week over carbon pipelines.
At a Cedar Rapids town hall, Pete Buttigieg encouraged Democrats to earnestly engage in political conversations.
Immigrants deserve better.
Rob Sand is running for governor. He says electing a Democrat would be an important check on one-party power in Iowa.
