Topic: Iowa

Scott Alvarado from Iowa reflects on his moniker, "the Tall Corn," which was inspired by a dilapidated motel and his home state. He requests to be known as "the Last Knight" in memory of his late beagle and the community. He pledges to continue promoting the "value for value" model in his own life.

A city council meeting in Iowa opened with a formal invocation from a member of the Satanic Temple, concluding with the phrase "Hail Satan." The event caused visible discomfort among council members and attendees, some of whom stood for the prayer before realizing its nature. The incident has sparked a debate in Iowa regarding the inclusion of non-traditional religious groups in public government proceedings.

Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a $15 billion integrated steel plant project in Lee County, Iowa, and a $3 billion iron ore mine in Minnesota. The project, led by Masabi Metallics and SR, aims to produce "Patriot Pellets" to create a fully American supply chain. Proponents claim the investment will create thousands of construction and manufacturing jobs while competing with Chinese steel prices.

Local media outlet TV6 Investigates reported discrepancies between the White House announcement and the reality on the ground in Lee County, Iowa. Investigative reporter Matt Christensen found no major property purchases or permits filed for the Masabi Metallics project. The segment also clarifies that Cleveland Cliffs remains the primary North American producer of iron ore pellets, contrasting them with the proposed "Patriot Pellets."

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins defends the decision to import Argentine beef, claiming it will provide a 25% price decrease for lower-income families. The Iowa Cattlemen's Association opposes the move, fearing it will harm domestic producers. Adam Curry also mentions his new podcast, "We Get To Do This," co-hosted with Pastor Jimmy, which focuses on faith and Christianity.

During a speech in Iowa, Donald Trump utilized the term "Unaffordable Care Act" to describe the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Trump argued that the current system primarily enriches insurance companies through government subsidies and proposed a plan to pay that money directly to families. The hosts note that Trump is "workshopping" new stand-up style material as he develops his 2026 campaign rhetoric.

The final donation segment acknowledges contributors from Washington, North Carolina, London, and the Netherlands. Notable mentions include Irma Sousaso de Lima de Prado from Aalsmeer and René Knigge from Utrecht. The hosts emphasize the show's reliance on listener support to avoid the fate of traditional publications like the Farmers' Almanac.

Cancer rates among young adults are rising rapidly in the U.S. Corn Belt, with Iowa seeing the fastest increase. Researchers are investigating whether nitrate pollution from fertilizers and livestock operations, as well as herbicides like Roundup, are responsible for the uptick in kidney and skin cancers.

Recent and upcoming No Agenda meetups were highlighted, including a gathering at Mickey's Irish Pub in Davenport, Iowa. Future events are scheduled for Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Columbus, Ohio; and Anchorage, Alaska. The hosts encouraged listeners to attend these local gatherings to build community connections, which they describe as a form of "protection" and mutual support.

A viral video featured political analyst Dr. Arlene gloating before the election about toasting "Madam President" with champagne. She incorrectly predicted a sweep of swing states and Iowa based on an outlier poll that suggested a Democratic surge. Following the results, she pivoted to calling Kamala Harris's three-month campaign "magnificent" despite the loss.

A whistleblower from Iowa revealed that the state's CTO signed a contract to provide CrowdStrike's Falcon application to municipalities for free, leading to a 75% adoption rate and widespread exposure during the outage. The segment also revisits the 2016 DNC server investigation, noting CrowdStrike's long-standing and controversial ties to political and intelligence entities.

Officials ordered the culling of over 4 million chickens in Iowa following the detection of highly infectious bird flu. Dr. Robert Malone notes that while the risk to public health remains low, the policy is designed to protect the poultry industry from interstate spread. The mass extermination of birds has contributed to rising egg prices, though farmers are often compensated through government payouts and insurance.

Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa appeared on "Meet the Press" to discuss the Iowa Caucus and the impact of frigid weather on voter turnout. Host Kristen Welker repeatedly pressed Ernst on whether she would endorse Donald Trump if he won the caucus. Ernst maintained a neutral stance, emphasizing the importance of the private ballot and the need for a Republican victory in the general election.

NPR's Domenico Montanaro reported on Donald Trump's decisive victory in the Iowa caucuses, where he secured over 50% of the vote. Media outlets called the race early based on entrance polls and key precinct data, leading to some internal debate about the speed of the projections. The results aligned with months of polling that showed Trump maintaining an insurmountable lead in the state.

Donald Trump utilized humor and hyperbole during campaign stops to criticize the crime rate in Washington D.C., claiming visitors risk being shot in the capital. He also made controversial remarks in Iowa, joking that supporters should get out of bed to vote even if they are terminally ill. The hosts analyzed these statements as part of Trump's established campaign "shtick" designed to elicit reactions from the media.

MSNBC commentators Joy Reid and Alex Wagner analyzed the Iowa caucus results through the lens of racial and religious demographics. They characterized Iowa as a "hyper-evangelical white state" and argued that Trump's supporters view him as a figure who will return the country to them. The hosts mocked the network's coverage, suggesting the analysts are "clinically insane" in their focus on white Christian nationalism.

The "Good News" segment features Dr. Chase Brown of Shenandoah, Iowa, who used an ATV to reach a medical center during a severe winter storm to deliver a baby. The doctor braved sub-zero temperatures and snow drifts to ensure the safe arrival of baby Berkeley Gardner. The hosts highlight this as an example of small-town medical dedication.

In Maine, new apartment units were opened specifically to house asylum seekers with the state paying rent for two years. Meanwhile, in Iowa, the debate over immigration highlights the state's reliance on immigrant labor for its meat processing and agricultural industries. Critics argue that providing transitional housing for illegal immigrants while citizens face housing shortages is a major driver of voter dissatisfaction.

NTD News reports that Chris Christie's exit from the race may inadvertently boost Donald Trump's chances in the primary. The report highlights the contrast between Christie's public pledge to stop Trump and his private admission on a hot mic that Nikki Haley lacks the standing to win.

During a campaign event in Iowa, former President Donald Trump stated that illegal immigration is "destroying the blood of our country." While critics and media outlets like CNN compared the language to Hitler's "Mein Kampf," Trump denied having read the book, insisting his comments refer to the potential for disease and crime brought by undocumented individuals.