Midwest
How do the Iowa caucuses work?
The remaining Republican presidential candidates have been fixated on Iowa for weeks ahead of the state’s crucial caucuses, as they seek to gain support from the voters who will be first to name a preferred nominee in the 2024 race.
But what exactly are the caucuses, and how do they work?
Every election cycle, tens of thousands of Iowans gather at caucus sites – known as precincts – across the state. In what will be the first contest in the wild race for the Republican presidential nomination, this year the highly anticipated event will take place on Monday, Jan. 15.
But unlike a primary – which is a traditional “one person, one vote” election – there is no casting of ballots in a caucus.
TRUMP TAKES NO CHANCES AS IOWA’S REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUSES APPROACH
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks to Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum at a town hall meeting hosted by Fox News in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 8, 2024. (Christian Monterrosa/Getty Images)
In Iowa, the action will take place at 1,657 precincts across the state – which will be held in school gymnasiums, church basements, union halls, community centers, libraries or any other place where people can gather.
FIREBRAND HOUSE REPUBLICAN SEEING ‘MASSIVE SURGE’ FOR DESANTIS IN IOWA: ‘CLOSER THAN PEOPLE THINK’
Only registered Republicans are allowed to take part in the GOP caucuses, and 17-year-olds can caucus if they are of voting age by November’s general election.
On the other side of the aisle, the Democratic National Committee recently removed Iowa as the first state in the party’s early presidential nomination process.
Here’s how all the action plays out:
- Iowa Republicans will gather Monday at caucus sites
- They kick off at 7 p.m. CT
- Representatives from each of the presidential campaigns will make a short pitch for their candidate and then attendees cast secret ballots. That’s it! It’s much simpler than what the Democrats do.
- The results are then sent back to the Iowa GOP HQ in Des Moines
- It’s a closed contest, meaning the GOP caucuses are only open to registered Republicans in Iowa. However, Iowans can register or change their party affiliation on caucus day
Read the full article from Here
An ice cream shop in Plainfield, Illinois, has launched an anti-bullying campaign after an incident with a customer.
Hazel Marie’s is located at 24030 Lockport St. in Plainfield. Owner Tammy Barvian said on Memorial Day, a customer crossed a line.
“We had a customer that felt that it was OK and appropriate to throw — not toss, but throw — a banana split at the back of one of our employees’ heads and hit her in the back of the head,” said Barvian. “Not going to be tolerated here. Not something that we’re going to allow.”
On Sunday, the store asked people to bring bananas and wear yellow for $5 Sundays. The owners said they wanted to raise $10,000 for their Bananas Against Bullies campaign.
According to the Patch, Plainfield police officers responded to the scene after the incident on Monday, May 25, but could not identify the man involved.
The employee who was hit was doing OK days later.
Indiana
Indiana EMT charged with sexually assaulting 14-year-old in the back of an ambulance during transport
(WXIN/WTTV) — An EMT working for an Indiana ambulance service has been arrested after accusations that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old while transporting them to the hospital.
Ronald D. Elliott Jr., 37, was officially charged Wednesday with a slew of child sex crimes. Online jail records show Elliott, who lives in Dunreith, was arrested Thursday and booked into Delaware County Jail without bond.
The arrest stems from accusations made by a 14-year-old who told police that Elliott sexually assaulted her in the back of an ambulance during a February transport from Muncie to Monroe County.
The alleged victim came forward on March 16 and told Indiana State Police investigators that an EMT had forced her into sexual contact while taking her to a medical facility in Bloomington.
The juvenile said that Elliott, who is listed as an EMT for Quest Ambulance Service, began showing her pictures and videos on his cell phone during the transport. The files reportedly included photos of Elliott’s genitals and videos of him engaged in sexual activities.
Elliott is then alleged to have groped the teenager under her clothes and exposed himself to her. The girl said this led to Elliott sexually assaulting her in the back of the ambulance while en route to Bloomington.
The 14-year-old said that, after the assault, Elliott provided her with his “Mr. Fogger” nicotine vape as well as his phone. The girl told officers she signed into her Instagram account on Elliott’s phone, and court documents state she failed to log off after leaving the ambulance.
It was through the girl’s Instagram account that Elliott allegedly found a second juvenile victim. Identified as Victim 2 in court documents, Elliott reportedly began messaging the 13-year-old girl on Instagram. Throughout his conversations, the 37-year-old EMT is alleged to have:
- Called the juvenile a “young sl-t”
- Lied about his age, claiming he was 18 years old
- Sent a picture of himself only wearing a towel
- Made “sexually suggestive” comments about “good naughty girls”
- Told the 13-year-old girl she “looks cute”
During an interview with Elliott conducted on March 25, the EMT reportedly admitted to letting the 14-year-old use his phone and nicotine vape. However, he denied any sexual contact with the girl and said that any nude images she may have seen on his phone were an accident.
After uncovering “corroborating evidence” from both Elliott’s cell phone and the victim’s Instagram account, police requested that a warrant be filed for his arrest. Online court records show that the warrant was granted on Thursday.
Indiana State Police said that Elliott was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop. Delaware County Jail records show Elliott was booked around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. He now faces the following several Level 4 felony charges including child seduction, child solicitation, and sexual conduct with a minor.
No other information was included in the probable cause affidavit filed against Elliott.
More and more, it is looking like playing on the offensive line for the Iowa Hawkeyes is becoming a one-way ticket to the NFL. Offensive line coach George Barnett is among the best in the business, and his 2026 offensive line should continue the trend of strong play for the Hawkeyes.
This past NFL Draft saw the Hawkeyes send Logan Jones, Gennings Dunker, and Beau Stephens to the next level as the latest successes. They come on the heels of Tyler Linderbaum and Tristan Wirfs, two of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.
Iowa is now looking to continue the offensive line prowess as it hosts a highly touted recruit, as they prepare for more future departures to the NFL. Two starters on the offensive line this season, Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck, have each generated NFL buzz, and if history tells us anything, NFL teams like Iowa offensive linemen.
Iowa Hawkeyes Hosting Four-Star Caleb Johnson
While it may be summer for the current roster with training camp approaching, the recruiting trail doesn’t sleep for the coaching staff. Some of the latest news for Iowa’s class of 2027 is the upcoming visit that Caleb Johnson, a four-star offensive lineman, will take to Iowa City.
Johnson, a product of Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana, is coming off a string of visits to high-profile schools such as Indiana and Michigan State, with a visit to the Hawkeyes on deck.
Iowa may have a slight inside track on Johnson, as it was on Johnson’s recruiting trail earlier than some in the process, offering him back in January of 2026.
Caleb Johnson Bio
High School: Noblesville
Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana
Class: 2027
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 260
Recruiting Rankings: No. 2 recruit in Indiana, No. 22 offensive tackle, No. 248 recruit overall
Other Offers: Indiana, Michigan State, Missouri, Cincinnati, Auburn, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, UNC, Oklahoma State, Purdue, UCLA, and others
Analysis: At just 260 pounds, Iowa would be able to mold Johnson in the weight room and developmental program, which is one of the best in the country. In his tape from high school, Johnson is seen playing snaps at center, guard, and tackle, which offers versatility from the jump.
Iowa Football 2027 Recruiting Class
The Iowa Hawkeyes currently sit with the No. 29 overall 2027 recruiting class as things stand right now. The Hawkeyes have landed 10 commits for the 2027 class, two of them being offensive linemen.
Reilly Newman from West Chester Ohio, a three-star recruit, and Nate Brenneman from Rock Valley, Iowa, another three-star recruit have given their commitments to the Hawkeyes.
Follow
-
Connecticut1 minute agoMan arrested after stealing from Connecticut Children’s Hospital donation bin
-
Delaware4 minutes agoISP investigating after Delaware County Sheriff deputy shoots at vehicle
-
Florida9 minutes agoWhat Wins the Game For Ole Miss vs. Florida
-
Georgia16 minutes agoGeorgia football picks up two commitments for 2027 recruiting class
-
Hawaii19 minutes agoMan charged with murder in killings of 3 on Hawaii’s Big Island | CNN
-
Idaho19 minutes agoIdaho transportation leaders spotlight motorcycle deaths
-
Illinois31 minutes agoPlainfield, Illinois, ice cream shop launches
-
Indiana34 minutes agoIndiana EMT charged with sexually assaulting 14-year-old in the back of an ambulance during transport
