Iowa chose loyalty over lawsuits when Trump cut $11 billion in federal health funding. And we paid the price. While blue states sued and kept 80% of their CDC grants, Iowa lost all 12 of its targeted research grants.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker break down how Iowa's decision to stay quiet cost millions in federal dollars while other states fought back and won. Plus, why your congressman thinks town halls are "taxpayer-funded protests" and the 2026 scramble as Ashley Hinson jumps to Senate.

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.

RUNDOWN: 00:00 - Miller-Meeks vs Rob Sand: The Breakfast Pizza Twitter Drama 07:30 - Iowa Lost ALL Health Funding While Blue States Fought Back
11:00 - 80% vs 5%: The Shocking Funding Numbers Explained 15:00 - Zach Nunn Calls Town Halls "Taxpayer-Funded Protests" 21:30 - Why Your Congressman Only Listens to Corporate Donors 27:00 - Ashley Hinson's "Orchestrated" Senate Run in 3 Hours 32:30 - 2026 Election Scramble: Which Seats Are Actually Competitive 38:00 - Iowa Democrats' Best Shot at Flipping Federal Seats in Years 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 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 - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyos/ FOLLOW IOWA STARTING LINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: - Twitter - https://twitter.com/iastartingline - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IowaStartingLine - TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@iowastartingline - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iowastartingline - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCXN791Qw5opBRLyvTWYl43w

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