Midwest

He's not running again in 2028, but Trump's returning to this crucial presidential nominating state

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4 months ago

September 14, 2025

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He's not running again in 2028, but Trump's returning to this crucial presidential nominating state

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President Donald Trump returns to Iowa Thursday evening.

But his stop in the state that for half a century has held the lead-off contest in the race for the Republican presidential nomination is about 2026 rather than 2028.

Trump will headline a Fourth of July eve event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines to kick off America250, a series of yearlong celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Longtime Iowa GOP chair Jeff Kaufmann told Fox News it’s no surprise that the president picked Iowa to kick off celebrations of America’s independence.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES HE’LL KICK OFF INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND WITH ‘VERY SPECIAL’ PATRIOTIC EVENT

Then-former President Donald Trump waves to supporters at the Iowa Pork Producers tent during a visit to the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 12, 2023, in Des Moines. (Charlie Neibergall/The Associated Press)

“We’ve always had a special relationship with the president,” Kaufmann told Fox News Digital, as he noted that Trump carried the one-time general election battleground turned red state in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.

Kaurfmann said Trump’s stop in Iowa “is very symbolic, but it’s also very telling of what is important to him and I really believe he’s starting here because not only does he love Iowa, but he believes in the heartland. I think this is a huge message that he’s sending to everyone that he hasn’t forgotten who brought him to the dance.”

TRUMP WHITE HOUSE RELEASES VIDEO SERIES LEADING UP TO AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY: ‘ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE’

Veteran Iowa-based Republican consultant Nicole Schlinger said “it’s no surprise” that the president has “chosen to kick off America 250 at the best state fairgrounds in the country.”

“From the day his helicopter first landed here in 2015, Trump has had a special connection with Iowa. He’s straight-talking, hardworking and unapologetically proud of our country – just like Iowans,” Schlinger added. “Starting America’s 250th in Iowa is a reminder that the road to our future runs through the heartland.”

Former President Donald Trump greets supporters as he arrives at the Iowa State Fair, on Aug. 12, 2023, in Des Moines. (Paul Steinhauser – Fox News )

Trump is no stranger to the fairgrounds.

Presidential candidate Trump walked through the crowds at the famed state fair in 2015 and 2023, and he held large rallies at the fairgrounds just ahead of the 2016 Iowa caucuses and again in October 2021.

Trump’s trip will also spark speculation about 2028.

“Trump 2028” hats are available for $50 and T-shirts that read “Trump 2028 (Re-write the Rules),” sell for $36 on the Trump Organization’s website.

But the rules are quite clear: The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution restricts presidents to two terms in office.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THESE SIX REPUBLICANS AS 2028 TALK STARTS TO HEAT UP

And after months of flirting with running for a third term in the White House, Trump appears to be ruling out another campaign.

Despite touting strong support in the MAGA world for a 2028 run for re-election, the president in a May interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” said, “I’m not looking at that.”

“I’ll be an eight-year president,” Trump added. “I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important.”

“I’ll be an eight-year president,” President Donald Trump said. “I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important.” (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

But Trump’s 2028 flirtations, which he said weren’t a joke, and his sweeping moves since the start of his second tour of duty in the White House are keeping the spotlight firmly on him, averting any lame-duck talk and putting a damper on any early moves by those in the Republican Party hoping to succeed the president.

The race for the next GOP presidential nomination won’t get underway until Trump’s ready to share the spotlight, and he recently said it’s “far too early” to begin holding those discussions.

But Trump also added, “I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican, to carry it forward.”

Vice President JD Vance is presumed to be the extremely early frontrunner in the race to be the next GOP standard-bearer.

Former President Trump addresses a large crowd of supporters at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Oct. 9, 2021. (Paul Steinhauser – Fox News )

But other Republican politicians, with a likely eye to 2028, already have made stops in Iowa.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who ran unsuccessfully for the 2016 GOP nomination, and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, already have visited Iowa in 2025.

And Govs. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas stopped in the Hawkeye State in July.

Kaufmann, pointing to Vance, noted, “I’ve said on multiple occasions that the vice president certainly has a standing invitation.”

And Kaufmann, addressing the early 2028 trips to Iowa, highlighted that “it’s 24-7 here, 365 days a year. It’s exactly how we want it and I think our folks are ready for the challenge yet again.”

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the campaign trail from coast to coast.”

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Related Topics:america 250 donald trump Iowa JD Vance patriotism presidential primaries republicans elections

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Illinois

Pounds, Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks

Published

59 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Pounds, Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (6-10, 1-4 OVC) at Western Illinois Leathernecks (4-12, 0-5 OVC)

Macomb, Illinois; Saturday, 4:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Tennessee Tech faces Western Illinois in OVC action Saturday.

The Leathernecks have gone 3-4 at home. Western Illinois is 3-8 in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Golden Eagles have gone 1-4 against OVC opponents. Tennessee Tech has a 3-8 record against teams over .500.

Western Illinois is shooting 41.2% from the field this season, 2.7 percentage points lower than the 43.9% Tennessee Tech allows to opponents. Tennessee Tech has shot at a 45.6% clip from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points fewer than the 46.4% shooting opponents of Western Illinois have averaged.

The Leathernecks and Golden Eagles match up Saturday for the first time in OVC play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Lucas Lorenzen is averaging 14.9 points for the Leathernecks. Isaiah Griffin is averaging 1.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Mekhi Cameron is scoring 11.3 points per game with 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists for the Golden Eagles. Dani Pounds is averaging 10.7 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 49.3% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Leathernecks: 3-7, averaging 67.7 points, 32.5 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 6.4 steals and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 40.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.0 points per game.

Golden Eagles: 3-7, averaging 74.5 points, 30.5 rebounds, 13.3 assists, 7.0 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.4 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Indiana

Rematch history in CFP and BCS favors Oregon vs. Indiana in Peach Bowl

Published

1 hour ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Rematch history in CFP and BCS favors Oregon vs. Indiana in Peach Bowl

The College Football Playoff national semifinal at the Peach Bowl marks a rematch of No. 1 seed Indiana’s 30-20 win against No. 5 Oregon in October, the first of several results this year that have left the Hoosiers knocking on the door of a historic and unbeaten season.

With two more wins, Indiana would become the first 16-0 national champion since Yale in 1894. But in order to make history, the Hoosiers will need to reverse some recent history.

Since the 1996 season, there have been seven regular-season rematches in the College Football Playoff and in national championship games played under the two previous postseason formats, the Bowl Championship Series and the Bowl Alliance. Four of these pairings have occurred since the playoff expanded last season.

Surprisingly, all but one of these games have seen the loser from the regular season rebound to win the rematch. This could be a coincidence. At a minimum, though, this trend shows the difficulties in defeating an elite opponent twice in under a four-month span.

The Hoosiers look to buck that recent history. Here’s a look back at these rematches and what they might suggest about the Peach Bowl:

Ole Miss vs. Georgia, 2025

Results: Georgia 43-35, Ole Miss 39-34.

Ole Miss led Georgia in the second half when the two met in October but coughed up a lead for its one and only loss on the year. The two SEC rivals met again in the Sugar Bowl earlier this month, with the Rebels pulling out the win on a late field goal. Unlike during the regular season, Ole Miss landed a big game from Trinidad Chambliss and did much better running the ball, indicating how teams can strategize by looking back and evaluating the previous matchup.

Ole Miss vs. Tulane, 2025

Results: Ole Miss 45-10, Ole Miss 41-10.

Here’s the one outlier. The Rebels stampeded over Tulane at home in September and then did the same in the opening round. The one difference: Lane Kiffin was the head coach for the first game and Pete Golding for the second. In this case, a significant edge in talent was the biggest factor in helping Ole Miss defy recent history.

Oklahoma vs. Alabama, 2025

Results: Oklahoma 23-21, Alabama 34-24.

Again, an SEC rematch that reversed the regular-season result. Oklahoma’s win in November sparked its run to the playoff. That seemed to carry over to the opening round, when the Sooners stormed out to a 17-0 lead. But the Tide crawled back to tie for the biggest comeback in playoff history.

Oregon vs. Ohio State, 2024

Results: Oregon 32-31, Ohio State 41-21.

Oregon narrowly pulled out the win in Autzen Stadium and then went on to post a perfect regular season, earning the top seed in the debut of the expanded playoff. But in the Rose Bowl the Ducks ran into a buzzsaw in the Buckeyes, who stormed out to a 34-0 late in the second quarter and won going away. A year later, Oregon hopes to follow Ohio State’s blueprint and score the upset against the unbeaten Big Ten champs.

Alabama vs. Georgia, 2021

Results: Alabama 42-24, Georgia 33-18.

The Tide knocked off then-unbeaten Georgia in the SEC championship game behind 421 yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Bryce Young. That landed Alabama in the four-team playoff as the No. 1 seed, while Georgia slotted in at No. 3. The pair met in the championship game after beating Cincinnati and Michigan, respectively, and the Bulldogs would hold Young to 6.5 yards per throw and make two picks to take the first of back-to-back titles.

LSU vs. Alabama, 2011

Results: LSU 9-6, Alabama 21-0

The Tigers’ overtime win during the regular season was about as ugly as the score suggests with five field goals being the only scores. The rematch in the title game about two months later wasn’t any better. Alabama’s defense barely allowed LSU to cross midfield in this second meeting to win the second of Nick Saban’s six titles in Tuscaloosa.

Results: Florida State 24-21, Florida 52-20.

No other rematch has come within such a short time frame. FSU topped Florida on Nov. 30 to end the regular season and drew the immediate rematch in the Sugar Bowl, which was designated as the championship game in the Bowl Alliance format, because then-No. 2 Arizona State was obligated to face No. 4 Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. This time, Steve Spurrier’s Gators bombarded the Seminoles to capture the first national title in program history with the Sun Devils falling to the Buckeyes.

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Iowa

Iowa Great Lakes businessman Butch Parks dies at 81

Published

1 hour ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Iowa Great Lakes businessman Butch Parks dies at 81

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (KTIV) – The Iowa Great Lakes community is remembering Leo “Butch” Parks, a longtime lakes-area businessman and founder of Parks Marina.

He died Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the age of 81.

Parks established the marina on East Lake Okoboji in 1983, growing it from a small fishing boat operation into a business with marinas, sales, service, rentals, storage, and popular destinations like the Barefoot Bar.

Parks and his wife, Debbie, also owned Okoboji Boat Works for 23 years.

Funeral services are set for Friday, Jan. 16, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. It will be followed by a celebration of life at Snapper’s restaurant in Okoboji that evening.

Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.

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