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
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.
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... 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
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A $125 million project is transforming Des Moines' underutilized and murky river into a 150-mile recreational waterway with beach-like areas, dam improvements, and 86 connected sites. Would you swim in it?
Follow Iowa Starting Line for more.
Christina Bohannon is making her third bid to unseat US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Iowa's 1st Congressional District, coming off a razor-thin 799-vote loss in 2024. In one of 2026's most closely watched races, Bohannon believes her working-class roots and independent voice can finally break through.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith sits down with Christina Bohannon to discuss why 2026 will be different after outperforming other Democrats nationwide and winning 33,000 Trump voters in 2024.
Toss some bags about Iowa rolling back civil rights protections for trans Iowans… Trump heads to the Iowa fairgrounds… And officials debunk water safety rumors amid the ongoing nitrate crisis.
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:*
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... and everywhere you listen to podcasts
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
01:00 - The 799-Vote Heartbreaker - 0.2% Loss Despite Trump District Win
02:30 - Miller-Meeks Enthusiasm Gap - Why Republicans Cross Over
04:00 - Miller-Meeks Voting Record - $4,400 Tariff Costs and Medicaid Cuts
05:30 - Bucking Party Establishment - Defeating 20-Year Incumbent by 34 Points
08:00 - "Pragmatic and Compassionate" - Miller-Meeks Medicaid Cut Justification
10:00 - Talk is Cheap Analysis - Miller-Meeks Pattern of Empty Gestures
12:30 - Why 2026 is Different - Building Momentum Over Multiple Cycles
13:30 - County-by-County Campaign - Keokuk to Scott County Tour
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Mischief? In this economy?
Catch the latest episode of Cornhole Champions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExIa2mztick
The cultural legacy of Iowa diners is unmatched.
Check out the latest episode of Cornhole Champions, a podcast that is sometimes about Iowa politics.
Christina Bohannan just announced her campaign for Iowa's 1st Congressional District, setting up a potential third consecutive matchup with US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in America's most competitive House race. After losing by just 799 votes in 2024 following a district-wide recount, Bohannan is back for another shot at flipping this crucial swing seat.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker take stock of why this margins of this district continue to be so tight.
Also on this episode… Which hands are up in Iowa’s race for governor… 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.
*LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS:*
- YouTube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LsUFhizO07jdk5Wav4mOT7tArltF8z5&si=FryZd7N7tG5tJ5Ju
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... and everywhere you listen to podcasts
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Cold Open - Diner Debate
07:42 - Breaking News - Christina Bohannan Announces Congressional Campaign
08:00 - Iowa's 1st District Analysis - Miller-Meeks' Narrow Victory Margins
08:30 - Trump vs. Miller-Meeks Vote Gap - 34,000 Vote Enthusiasm Difference
09:30 - Trump Loyalty Test - Republican Primary Challenges and Endorsements
11:46 - Christina Bohannan Background - Constitutional Law Professor's Political Rise
13:00 - Third Time's the Charm - Historical Context for Repeat Candidates
13:18 - Name Recognition Strategy
14:00 - Closing the Gap - From 20,000 to 800 Vote Margins in Two Years
15:00 - Campaign Experience Value - Building Local Political Infrastructure
16:00 - House Control Stakes - Why This Iowa Race Matters Nationally
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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.
*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:*
00:30 - 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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Thousands took over the entire front lawn of the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines on June 14 for the No Kings protest—and the sign game was on point.
Zach can't run.
Check out Cornhole Champions where you listen to podcasts. New episode drops this Wednesday: https://youtu.be/Bub8WCj8rFM
