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Iowa News You Can Use

EXCO-Player
Jun 2025 11

WATCH: Zach Wahls: ‘We’re All Going to Die’ Isn’t a Healthcare Plan (PT 4) – Cornhole Champions #28

By | POLITICS VIDEO, POLITICS, Amie Rivers

Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls officially launched his 2026 U.S. Senate campaign, taking aim at Joni Ernst and calling for a new generation of leadership to challenge Washington's failed establishment. Wahls, known for his viral 2011 testimony supporting his two moms' marriage rights, is positioning himself as a champion for working-class Iowans struggling with housing costs, healthcare access, and an economy "rigged to benefit those at the very top."

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith sits down with Wahls to discuss his campaign launch, his work protecting mobile home residents from predatory private equity firms, and why he believes Democrats need to stop "looking down on voters" and start meeting them where they are. We explore Wahls' critique of political corruption in Des Moines, his push for term limits and stock trading bans, and Ernst's tone-deaf "we're all going to die" healthcare comment that's already becoming campaign fodder.

Also, an overview of Iowa's 2026 Senate race. The dangers of corporate Pride. Perry's second chance.

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
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5rzNpiA4IwgLmxbyrhETY6?si=6c4a527fa9ad4f64
- PocketCasts - https://pca.st/74atty1j
... and everywhere you listen to podcasts

*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Cornhole Champions Introduction - Zach Wahls Senate Campaign Launch
00:19 - Interview Begins - State Senator Zach Wahls Joins from Coralville/Iowa City
00:30 - Democratic Messaging Strategy - Reconnecting with Working Class Voters Post-2024
00:52 - Wahls' Campaign Platform - Economy Rigged Against Hardworking Iowans
01:30 - Personal Examples - Daycare Costs and Mobile Home Community Challenges
02:00 - Democratic Party Critique - Too Many Know-It-All Attitudes Toward Voters
02:28 - Housing Affordability Crisis - Mobile Home Parks and Private Equity Takeovers
03:20 - Bipartisan Mobile Home Legislation - 30 Senators Supporting Tenant Protections
04:00 - Political Corruption Problem - Special Interest Money Blocking Bipartisan Solutions
04:29 - Next 50 Organization - Bringing New Generation Leadership to Politics
05:00 - Challenging the Establishment - Taking on Both Parties' Failed Leadership
05:30 - Reform Agenda - Term Limits and Stock Trading Bans for Political Insiders
06:10 - Iowa Democrats' Electoral Challenges - No Federal Wins Since 2018
06:30 - Recent Special Election Successes - Three Consecutive Democratic Overperformances
06:48 - Joni Ernst's Healthcare Gaffe - "We're All Going to Die" Comment
07:15 - Republican Healthcare Plan Critique - Waiting for Constituents to Die
07:30 - 99-County Strategy - Meeting Voters Through Grassroots Organizing
08:00 - Campaign Capacity Building - Voter Registration and GOTV Operations
08:34 - Grassroots Campaign Strategy - Taking on Washington's Failed Establishment
09:04 - Campaign Website Plug - ZachWahls.com for More Information
09:21 - Interview Wrap-Up - Thanks to State Senator Zach Wahls
09:30 - Show Conclusion - Subscribe and Newsletter Information

*Follow Zachary Oren Smith on social media:*
- Twitter - https://x.com/zacharyos
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- Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/zacharyos.bsky.social
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EXCO-Player - Iowa Starting Line
Jun 2025 11

WATCH: Can JBS Foods replace what Tyson took? 500 jobs come to Perry, Iowa (PT 2) – Cornhole Champions #28

By | POLITICS VIDEO, POLITICS, Amie Rivers

Brazilian meat giant JBS is bringing 500 jobs back to Perry, Iowa, right where Tyson Foods pulled out. The $135 million sausage production facility offers hope to a community still reeling from the loss of 1,300 Tyson jobs, but questions remain about whether this corporate giant can deliver long-term stability.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith and Amy Rivers examine whether JBS represents genuine economic salvation or just another round of corporate musical chairs. We explore the union victory that restored pensions for JBS workers - something unheard of in meatpacking since the 1980s - and discuss the infrastructure advantages that made Perry attractive to JBS after Tyson's departure.

Also in this episode, an overview of Iowa's 2026 Senate race. The dangers of corporate pride. 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
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5rzNpiA4IwgLmxbyrhETY6?si=6c4a527fa9ad4f64
- PocketCasts - https://pca.st/74atty1j
... and everywhere you listen to podcasts

*SHOW RUNDOWN*
00:00 - JBS Announces $135 Million Sausage Plant in Perry, Iowa
00:52 - Economic Impact Analysis - 500 New Jobs vs 1,300 Lost Tyson Positions
01:58 - Long-term Sustainability Concerns with JBS Employment History
02:44 - Union Victory - UFCW Wins Back Pensions at JBS Facilities
03:13 - Construction Timeline - Fall 2024 Start, Late 2026 Production
03:30 - Perry Shooting Timeline Context
03:35 - Episode Break

*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
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EXCO-Player - Iowa Starting Line
Jun 2025 11

WATCH: Zach Wahls, JD Scholten, Nathan Sage and the race against Joni Ernst (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #28

By | POLITICS VIDEO, POLITICS, Amie Rivers

Tthree Democrats have officially entered the race to challenge Joni Ernst's Senate seat in 2026, setting up what could be Iowa's most consequential election in years.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker break down the growing field of Senate candidates - from Zach Wahls' viral 2011 gay marriage testimony to JD Scholten's anti-monopoly crusade and Nathan Sage's f-bomb-filled populist campaign. We also explore Ernst's vulnerabilities, from her "we're all going to die" healthcare gaffe to her flip-flop on the Hegseth nomination after MAGA pressure.

Also, the dangers of corporate Pride. Perry's second chance. And a one-on-one with Wahls.

*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:
00:00 - Relay Iowa Recap - Zach's 339-Mile Van Driving "Heroics" Across the State
02:35 - 2026 Senate Race Preview - Why This Six-Year Term Matters for Iowa
03:35 - Senate Power Structure - 100 Senators vs 435 House Members and Iowa's Outsized Voice
04:00 - Farm Bill Influence - Grassley and Ernst's Agriculture Committee Roles
06:30 - Joni Ernst's Background - From Montgomery County Auditor to "Make Them Squeal"
07:06 - The Hog Castration Ad - Avery's Foundational Political Moment at Age 13
08:30 - Ernst's Voting Record - COVID Relief Opposition and Voting Restrictions
09:25 - "We're All Going to Die" - Ernst's Callous Healthcare Response
09:30 - The Hegseth Flip-Flop - Ernst Caves to MAGA Pressure on Defense Secretary
12:00 - Term Limits Hypocrisy - Ernst's 2014 Promise vs 2026 Campaign Reality
13:30 - Jim Carlin's Primary Challenge - The "America First" Conservative vs "DC Joni"
16:30 - Zach Wahls Enters the Race - From 2011 Viral Speech to Senate Campaign
17:00 - Wahls' Gay Marriage Testimony - Defending Two Moms in Iowa Legislature
21:00 - JD Scholten's Anti-Monopoly Message - Baseball Player Turned Economic Populist
24:30 - Nathan Sage's F-Bomb Campaign - Marine Veteran's Working Class Appeal
26:30 - Sage's Profanity Strategy - Every Press Release Needs an F-Bomb
29:00 - Trans Rights Debate - Avery's Concerns About Economic vs Social Issue Priorities
30:00 - The Civil Rights Reality Check - Housing Protections vs Sports Distractions

*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
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- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCXN791Qw5opBRLyvTWYl43w

EXCO-Player - Iowa Starting Line
Jun 2025 11

WATCH: Trump anti-DEI push supercharges Iowa Pride (PT 3) – Cornhole Champions #28

By | LOCAL VIDEO, COMMUNITY, Iowa Production Staff

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
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5rzNpiA4IwgLmxbyrhETY6?si=6c4a527fa9ad4f64
- PocketCasts - https://pca.st/74atty1j
... 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

*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
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EXCO-Player - Iowa Starting Line
Jun 2025 10

WATCH: Waverly, Iowa’s first ever Pride event

By | LOCAL VIDEO, COMMUNITY, Amie Rivers

Waverly, Iowa, had never before held a Pride event, and wanted to do something unique.

Organizers decided to showcase an important part of the town—the Cedar River—along with celebrating the area's LGBTQ+ community.

"The current political landscape is messy and unpredictable," the Waverly Human Equity and Diversity Commission said in announcing the event on the city's website. "Let's gather and celebrate the wonderful diversity of humanity and our community."

The city's own political landscape was messy: One group of pastors opposed any showcase of LGBTQ+ pride. Another group of pastors affirmed the event was welcome in town. It even made national news.

But the Sunset Pride Float on June 5, put together by the commission in collaboration with Crawdaddy Outdoors, was actually a chill event. At least 60 paddled a short stretch of the Cedar River in kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards, while dozens of others cheered them on from the bridges and banks, holding signs and waving flags.

"Tonight was truly special," one paddler wrote in an Instagram post. "Never have I been more proud of this town than I was tonight. Good on you Waverly!"

EXCO-Player - Iowa Starting Line
Jun 2025 6

WATCH: Woman who confronted Joni Ernst at town hall reacts to viral response

By | POLITICS VIDEO, POLITICS, Amie Rivers

At a Parkersburg town hall, Senator Joni Ernst faced fierce pushback as she defended the Trump Administration's cuts to Medicaid. India May was in the audience when she shouted at Ernst that "people will die" if kicked off Medicaid. Ernst responded, "Well, we all are going to die." The exchange went viral and prompted an equally tone-deaf apology video from Ernst the next day.

On the latest episode of Cornhole Champions, Amie sat down with May to talk Ernst's response, Iowa's health care crisis, and May's campaign for Iowa House in 2026.

Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsJtzmNlfbo&t=3s

EXCO-Player - Iowa Starting Line