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PODCAST

WATCH: America 250 kicks off in Iowa. Will Trump plays GOP Kingmaker? (PT 2) – Cornhole Champions #31

President Donald Trump returns to Iowa this week for a July 4th America 250 celebration at the state fairgrounds - but this isn't the "Great American State Fair" he promised during his 2023 campaign.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker break down Trump's Iowa return and what it means for 2026 politics.

Toss some bags about Iowa rolling back civil rights protections for trans Iowans… officials debunk water safety rumors amid the ongoing nitrate crisis... and a conversation with Christina Bohannan.

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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- Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cornhole-champions-podcast/id1779497714
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*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Trump Returns to Iowa - July 3rd State Fairgrounds Rally for America 250
02:00 - Broken Campaign Promises - The "Great American State Fair" That Never Was
02:30 - 50-State Tour Abandoned - Mexico Wall-Level Promise Keeping
06:00 - 2026 Stage Sharing Speculation - Who Gets Trump's Blessing?
07:00 - Regina George GOP Politics - Mean Girls Fascism Edition

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PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line

WATCH: Iowa becomes first state to strip trans civil rights (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #31

Iowa makes devastating history this week---becoming the first state ever to strip away existing civil rights protections from transgender residents.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker cover Iowa's historic civil rights rollback that removes gender identity protections from employment, housing, public accommodation, and education.

Toss some bags about Trump's stop at the Iowa fairgrounds… officials debunk water safety rumors amid the ongoing nitrate crisis and a conversation with Democrat Christina Bohannan.

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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*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:30 - Zach's "Par Excellence" Pun Disaster - Tech Out of There Falls Flat
02:49 - Iowa's Historic Civil Rights Rollback - First State to Strip Existing Trans Protections
04:00 - The Energy of Hope - Trans Community and Allies Unite at State Capitol
06:30 - Beyond Civil Rights - Birth Certificate Changes and "Gender Theory" Language
08:00 - Project 2025 Playbook - Scapegoating as Fascism Facilitation
10:00 - Hope for the Future - Protests Matter, Continued Advocacy Essential

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PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line

WATCH: Iowa’s rural hospital crisis deepens (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #30

Federal Medicaid cuts threaten Iowa's already struggling rural hospitals. Nearly half operate at a loss, and proposed $4 billion in funding reductions for Iowa could force more closures in communities that can't afford to lose their healthcare lifelines.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers and Avery Staker dig into why rural health providers are taking these so seriously.

Toss some bags about a "research victory” leaving US research in the hole... why a successful vocation program is getting the axe... and why egging's decline may be our country's greatest recession indicator.

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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*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Cold Open - Egging Houses and Economic Anxiety - Discussion about childhood pranks becoming too expensive in current economy
04:00 - Show Introduction - Zachary Oren Smith with Amy Rivers and Avery Staker
05:00 - Rural Hospital Crisis - Federal Medicaid cuts threatening small-town hospitals, focusing on "Big Beautiful Bill" reconciliation package
06:00 - Medicaid Cut Details - Work requirements, cost-sharing increases, and federal matching rate reductions for expansion states like Iowa
07:30 - Washington County Hospital CEO Letter - Warning about rural hospital survival crisis and community impact
08:30 - Cost Shifting vs Cost Savings - How Medicaid cuts shift expenses to emergency rooms and social services
09:30 - Personal Impact Story - Tony and Lori Luckin family facing loss of Medicaid waiver for ventilator-dependent care in Sergeant Bluff
12:30 - Iowa's Waiver System Problems - Lack of appeal process compared to neighboring states like Nebraska and Missouri
13:30 - Hospital Funding Mechanics - How hospital taxes create federal match funds that get redistributed back
14:30 - Medicaid Recipients Are Rural - Why these cuts disproportionately harm rural communities and hospitals

PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line

WATCH: JD Vance and the East Palestine research money paradox (PT 2) – Cornhole Champions #30

The Trump administration announces a $10 million fund for an East Palestine health study while simultaneously cutting billions from scientific research. The contradiction reveals how selective science funding serves political purposes rather than public health priorities.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker dig into the one-off funding opportunity and the context that surrounds it.

Toss some bags about the “Big Beautiful Bill’s” big, ugly impacts… why a successful vocation program is getting the axe... and why egging's decline may be our country's greatest recession indicator.

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

*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
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*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - East Palestine Health Study - Trump administration announces $10 million study 2.5 years after toxic train derailment
00:30 - East Palestine Disaster Details - February 3rd, 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment with hazardous chemicals
01:00 - Health Impact Comparison - Residents experiencing symptoms similar to 9/11 first responders
01:30 - Research Funding Contradiction - $10 million specific study while cutting NIH by 37% and canceling $750 million in grants
03:30 - Scale of NIH Cuts - 1,400 research grants worth $750 million terminated versus single $10 million study
05:30 - Political Theater vs Genuine Health Priority - Trump administration's selective approach to public health funding

PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line

WATCH: Ottumwa, Iowa braces for Trump’s Job Corps cuts (PT 3) – Cornhole Champions #30

The Trump administration paused funding for Job Corps centers nationwide, including Iowa's top-rated Ottumwa facility. The cuts eliminate 125 jobs in one of Iowa's poorest counties while stranding vulnerable young people mid-program.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker dig into how a major shift on high ripples out into a small town.

Toss some bags about the “Big Beautiful Bill’s” big, ugly impacts… a "research victory” leaving US research in the hole... and why egging's decline may be our country's greatest recession indicator.

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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- Substack - https://cornholechampions.substack.com/
- Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cornhole-champions-podcast/id1779497714
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*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 - Job Corps Shutdown - Trump administration eliminates Iowa's flagship Ottumwa facility serving vulnerable youth

01:00 - Ottumwa's Outstanding Performance - 125 jobs, 240 students, 94% job placement rate in one of Iowa's poorest counties
02:30 - Economic Impact Analysis - 125 jobs lost, students becoming homeless, community economic contribution
04:00 - Personal Military Family Experience - Army brat perspective on social safety net benefits
05:30 - Ajai Long's Transformation Story - From couch-hopping and depression to stability through Job Corps
07:30 - Generational Investment Concept - Current spending prevents future costs and breaks poverty cycles
10:30 - Federal Land Questions - What happens to donated campus property after closure
11:30 - Close
13:11 - Post-Credits Banter

PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line

WATCH: Iowa GOP goes to war over Reynolds pipeline bill veto (PT 3) – Cornhole Champions #29

Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed a Republican bill restricting pipeline eminent domain, triggering angry responses from GOP lawmakers who are now threatening to kill her remaining legislative agenda. On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker talk through the infighting and how it could show up in future legislative sessions.

Also on this episode… Bohannan to take another swing at unseating Miller-Meeks… Which hands are up in Iowa’s race for governor… 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
- 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 - Show Intro - Kim Reynolds' Carbon Pipeline Veto Sparks GOP Civil War
02:30 - Anti-Pipeline Mass Protests - Public Outcry at Iowa Legislature
04:21 - Political Calculation - Republicans Feel Safe to Attack Reynolds
05:30 - Veto Override Challenges - Senate Numbers Don't Add Up
09:00 - Ethanol Deal Follow-up - Legislative Sessions Ahead

*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
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PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line

WATCH: Christina Bohannan’s 2026 bid and Congress’ biggest toss-up district (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #29

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:*
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- 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 - 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

*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
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PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line

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

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
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- 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:*
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PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line

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

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
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... 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:*
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PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line

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

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:*
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PODCAST - Iowa Starting Line
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