Zachary Oren Smith
@ZacharyOS
Just your friendly neighborhood reporter ● Writes about Iowa politics for @iastartingline ● Host of Cornhole Champions, your new fav Iowa podcast
Trump administration is trying to shutter 99 Job Corps sites across the country, including one in Ottumwa, despite its 94% job placement rate. Ottumwa Job Corps serves 240 at-risk youth. What happens when we cut programs that actually work?
“The long-running effort to pass Iowa’s anti-SLAPP bill illustrates how one lawmaker can block a measure that has overwhelming bipartisan support and no meaningful opposition from lobby groups,” guest columnist @LauraRBelin writes via @WritersIowa. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/25/why…
#ThumbnailThursday: I tried my hand at the podcast art on this week's Cornhole Champions... I think it shows. Summer PTO is important. But I'll be happy when Avery gets back.
Big segment on campaign finance news on this one
When news is embarrassing, throw it out with the Friday trash... there's a pattern: 👉Gov. Reynolds announcing no reelection? Friday. 👉Removing housing protections for trans Iowans? Friday. 👉 And this week, AG Brenna Bird drops her lawsuit to defund the Winneshiek Sheriff
An under-reported thing about the low-attendance at Iowa for IndyCar: Tickets did not go on sale until April, six months later than they went on sale for the 2024 race when Hy-Vee promoted the race. Read more here: desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/m…