Midwest
Trump announces he will kick off Independence Day weekend with ‘very special’ patriotic event
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President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will kick off his Independence Day weekend by traveling to Iowa on Thursday for “a very special event, honoring our Great Country.”
“I am thrilled to announce that I will be traveling to one of my favorite places in the World, beautiful Iowa, on Thursday, July 3rd, to kick off the very beginning of our exciting Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary!” Trump posted to Truth Social Tuesday afternoon.
“Iowa voted for me THREE TIMES, because they love my Policies for our Wonderful Farmers and Small Businesses, and they LOVE AMERICA! This will be a very special event, honoring our Great Country, and our Brave Heroes who fought to keep us FREE,” he continued, and included a link for people to RSVP. “I’ll also tell you some of the GREAT things I’ve already done on Trade, especially as it relates to Farmers. You are going to be very happy with what I say — Should be a BIG Crowd!”
The event is slated to be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines and is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Central Time, according to the event’s website.
TRUMP WHITE HOUSE RELEASES VIDEO SERIES LEADING UP TO AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY: ‘ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE’
President Donald Trump is expected to travel to Iowa Thursday to kick off the holiday weekend celebrating America’s independence. (Getty Images)
“This special event serves as the magnificent start of a dynamic, year-long commemoration across our beautiful country, unveiling a vision for a renewed commitment to America’s future,” Monica Crowley, the principal media representative for America250, said in a press release previewing the event.
TRUMP TO HOST MILITARY PARADE TO CELEBRATE ARMY’S 250TH BIRTHDAY, HONOR ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS
The 250th anniversary of American independence will be held on July 4, 2026, with Trump repeatedly touting his administration will plan a year of patriotic events celebrating the anniversary.
The president’s upcoming trip to Iowa follows the Senate passing Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill” Tuesday afternoon, which is a massive piece of legislation that works to advance Trump’s agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, defense and the national debt.
President Donald Trump and first Lady Melania celebrating the 4th of July from the White House during Trump’s first term. (Getty Images)
Trump was alerted to the news during a roundtable while visiting the Florida Everglades to tour a new illegal immigrant detention center, celebrating the news in separate Truth Social posts shortly after.
“Our Country is going to explode with Massive Growth, even more than it already has since I was Re-Elected. Between the Growth, this Bill, our Tariffs, and more, “THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL” sets the United States down a fiscal path by greatly reducing our Federal Deficit, and setting us on course for enormous Prosperity in the new and wonderful Golden Age of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday afternoon. “To my GOP friends in the House: Stay UNITED, have fun, and Vote “YAY.” GOD BLESS YOU ALL!”
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Sexual abuse charges were filed this week against a Park City, Illinois, police officer.
On Jan. 28, the Park City Police Department requested an investigation by Illinois State Police after a civilian accused a part-time Park City officer, state police said.
State police said their special agents conducted several interviews and obtained search warrants.
On Tuesday of this week, the special agents presented the case to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office, who charged Officer Patrick Cacho, 29, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, with 10 felony counts. They were composed of four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, two of aggravated battery, two of official misconduct, and two of criminal sexual abuse.
Cacho was being held at the Lake County Jail Wednesday.
No further details were provided about what Cacho is accused of doing.
Park City is located in Lake County, adjacent to Waukegan and Gurnee.
Kroger to close 60 underperforming stores after failed Albertsons merger
Amid plans to shut 60 stores, Kroger commits to new openings and employee relocations, navigating challenges after the attempted merger with Albertsons.
Scripps News
Smokey Bones barbecue chain is closing stores, including its lone Indiana location.
The chain, known for its authentic fire-grilled and house-smoked meats, closed various locations April 28. Signage at some shops indicates all locations have been closed.
The store at 1203 Apple Glen Boulevard in Fort Wayne was among 20 locations listed on the chain’s website on April 29, but its hours were listed as “CLOSED” for every day this week and the site was not allowing customers to place orders there for pickup or delivery.
The chain previously operated stores in Central Indiana, including spots in Indianapolis, Avon and Greenwood.
The closures come after Twin Peaks Hospitality, the owner of Smokey Bones and Twin Peaks restaurants, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas, USA TODAY reported in January.
The chain began closing restaurants in late 2025.
Smokey Bones was acquired as a 60-unit group by FAT Brands Inc. in 2023 and was spun off into Twin Hospitality in January 2025. Then, in September 2025, Twin Hospitality Group Inc. said it planned to rebrand 19 Smokey Bones locations as Twin Peaks restaurants while closing 15 underperforming sites.
Contact Midwest Connect reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cjackson@usatodayco.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa is 33 cents higher from last week, averaging $3.84.
Americans had a brief relief in gas prices last week when prices for brent crude oil dipped below $100 per barrel. On Wednesday it was priced at $117.20, according to AAA.
The latest numbers from AAA show Iowa’s gas prices spiked faster than the national average.
The national average price of gas Wednesday was $4.23, 21 cents higher than last week.
Compared to a year ago, gas is 86 cents more on average in Iowa.
Diesel is also slightly higher this week, averaging $4.94, but was still 52 cents below the national average.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
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