Political violence is on the rise, and the aftermath of tragic events reveals just how broken our discourse has become. Join us for a discussion about how we as Iowans and our leadership are reacting to a tragedy, and what it says about free speech, cancel culture, and our democracy.

From teachers facing job loss over social media posts to county officials defying the governor's orders, we're seeing the real-time erosion of nuanced political discussion.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker break down the role of big tech in political radicalization, the surveillance of educators, and why Johnson County's response sparked statewide controversy.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. It’s produced by me and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

Toss some bags at city-school elections this fall... Iowa's response to Kirk's assassination... And what about Gov. Kim Reynolds' emails?!

*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 Political Violence Statistics: 23% Now Support Violence
01:30 Big Tech's Role in Radicalizing Americans
04:00 Why Charlie Kirk's Debate Format Fed Into Division
06:30 Iowa Teachers Face Firing Over Social Media Posts
08:30 Project 2025's Attack on Free Speech in Schools
10:30 The Reality: Educators Are Being Surveilled
13:30 Johnson County Official Defies Governor's Flag Order
17:30 Using Tragedy to Push Political Agendas

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Sweet corn is Iowa's pride, but at least one of our hosts thinks it's "completely overrated garbage that belongs in the trash." He must be stopped.

Also on this episode of Cornhole Champions, hosts Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers and Avery Staker dig into something that actually matters: Iowa's upcoming local elections. With voter turnout hovering around just 20% for city council and school board races, your vote has never counted more.

Toss some bags at city-school elections this fall... Iowa's response to Kirk's assassination... And what about Gov. Kim Reynolds emails?!

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. It’s produced by me and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 Sweet Corn Controversy Begins
01:30 "Sweet Corn Sucks" - The Hot Take That Started It All
03:00 Science vs. Tradition: Is Corn Actually Indigestible?
04:30 Elote Debate: Does Good Corn Need Mayo and Cheese?
06:30 Mississippi Gas Station Snacks vs. Iowa Corn Stands
08:00 Corn Take So Bad the Host Has to Walk Out
08:30 Why Local Elections Matter More Than Presidential Races
12:00 The Pipeline Effect: How City Council Leads to Congress

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US Rep. Ashley Hinson announced her Senate run just hours after Joni Ernst said she wouldn't seek reelection. Republican Jim Carlin called it "orchestrated" – and he's absolutely right. This is the story of how Iowa's 2026 election just became the most consequential in years, with open seats creating opportunities up and down the ballot.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker break down the musical chairs of Iowa politics as seats come open across the state.

Toss some bags at Iowa losing research funding... why your congressman is skipping out on town halls... and the musical chairs of 2026 as Iowa's biggest seats come open...

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. It’s produced by me and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Ashley Hinson's 3-Hour Senate Announcement: Orchestrated or Not?
02:30 - Why Republicans Coordinated Ernst's Retirement and Hinson's Launch
04:00 - Trump's Endorsement: The Only One That Matters in GOP Primary
05:30 - Iowa's 2nd District: From Safe Republican to Wide Open Race
09:30 - Christina Bohannon's Third Shot at Miller-Meeks
11:00 - Iowa's 2026 Map: Open Governor, Senate, and House Seats
14:00 - Incumbent vs Open Seat: Which Is Easier for Democrats to Flip?
16:30 - Why 2026 Could Be Like 2018: The Best Democratic Opportunity in Years

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Congressman Zach Nunn was supposed to hold his first-ever public town hall in Jefferson, Iowa. Then he made it invitation-only at the last minute. This is the story of how your representatives are being ordered by their party to avoid the very people they were elected to serve.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker break down Nunn's "taxpayer-funded protest events" comment and what it reveals about a system designed to keep voters out.

Toss some bags at Iowa losing research funding... why your congressman is skipping out on town halls... and the musical chairs of 2026 as Iowa's biggest seats come open...

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. It’s produced by me and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Zach Nunn's Last-Minute Town Hall Switcheroo Exposed
01:30 - "Taxpayer-Funded Protest Events": The Shocking Quote
02:00 - Corporate Donor List: Who Really Has Nunn's Ear
03:30 - Why Nunn Claims He Had 304 Public Events (But Didn't)
05:00 - The $1,000 Entry Fee for "Public" Representatives
07:00 - When Did Protests Become "Wrong" Speech?
09:30 - Political Hygiene: Why Town Halls Matter More Than Careers
11:00 - Democrats Fight Back: "We Need Leaders Who Show Up"

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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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Thirty-nine years ago, UAW workers began the longest strike in John Deere history—163 days fighting for job security during the 1980s farm crisis. Today, John Deere announced 238 more layoffs across Iowa and Illinois, blaming $600 million in annual tariff costs. From the 1986 lockout to 2025's trade war casualties, Iowa workers keep paying the price for decisions made in distant boardrooms and Washington.

On this segment of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker connect past and present labor struggles.

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:*
00:00:30 - August 23, 1986: The Day 4,300 Workers Walked Off the Job
01:00 - "Emasculate Our Cost of Living": What UAW Workers Really Fought For
01:30 - 1980s Farm Crisis: When Manufacturing Jobs Fell 30% in Quad Cities
02:30 - 2025 Reality: $600 Million in Tariffs, 238 More Layoffs
04:00 - Farmers Feeding Wheat to Cattle: When Harvesting Isn't Worth It
04:30 - How China Switched from Iowa Soybeans to Brazilian Suppliers
06:00 - Waterloo's Five John Deere Plants: Thousands of Jobs at Risk
08:00 - The Through Line: Erosion of Public Life in Iowa Communities

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