Iowa

DeSantis and Trump hit Iowa in dueling campaign appearances

Published

9 months ago

October 8, 2023

DeSantis and Trump hit Iowa in dueling campaign appearances

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis jostled for Iowa Republicans’ support at campaign stops Saturday with just 100 days before the Hawkeye state’s January caucuses.

At a Waterloo rally, his third stop in Iowa in a little over two weeks, Trump spoke to more than 1,700 attendees at a rally to shore up their support in January, while hundreds more people waited outside.

“We have to win bigger than we’ve ever won before, because our country is going to hell,” the former president said. “We’ve gotta stop it.”

The ex-president ripped into President Joe Biden as being responsible for Hamas’ bloody assault against Israel Saturday due weakness the commander-in-chief has displayed on the global stage.

“The Israeli attack was made because we are perceived as being weak and ineffective, as with a really weak leader,” he said.

Trump encouraged Iowa Republicans to vote for him in the caucuses “because our country is going to hell.”

REUTERS

Trump also lashed out at New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office is pursuing a $250 million civil fraud case against him, calling her “grossly incompetent” and “an evil person.”

DeSantis, meanwhile, spoke to a crowd in Ankeny at one of three campaign stops in the first-in-the-nation state Saturday, where he promised to “use lethal force” to crack down on Mexican drug cartels bringing drugs into the United States and to improve mental health services for veterans.

“Our kids are being murdered by the Mexican drug cartels and by the [Chinese Communist Party] who is giving the precursor chemicals,” he said.

DeSantis promised that he would use lethal force to take out Mexican drug cartels.

The Republican presidential hopeful, who recently relocated about a third of its staff from Florida to Iowa to focus efforts on undercutting Trump’s lead in the state, also took an opportunity to bash his main party rival for falling down on his 2016 campaign promise to stick Mexico with the bill when erecting a border wall.

“That wasn’t a promise followed through, but you can actually get Mexico to pay if you know how to use your authority,” he said, suggesting he could impose fees on money people in the United States send back to families in Central America.

“You’d raise billions of dollars, you’d be able to fund the wall from sea to shining sea,” he added.

“Not only will I keep my promises as president, I’ll keep Donald Trump’s promises that he didn’t do.”

The 77-year-old ex-president is dominating the field in the GOP leadoff state, outpacing DeSantis, 45, with a 33.2 percentage point lead over DeSantis, according to the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.

With Post wires.

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Iowa

Iowa DOT shuts down stretches of I-680, I-29 ahead of anticipated flooding

Published

7 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Iowa DOT shuts down stretches of I-680, I-29 ahead of anticipated flooding

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA. (WOWT) – After more than a day of anticipation, officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation confirmed to 6 on Your Side late Tuesday Night that it would be shutting down portions of Interstates 680 and 29 effective at midnight Wednesday.

The closures are due to to rising water on the Missouri River.

The affected stretch of I-29 is from the 25th Street interchange on the north edge of Council Bluffs to the I-29/I-880 interchange.

The I-680 stretch is from the Nebraska border to the I-29/I-680 interchange near Crescent.

A detour was set to be posted near Loveland to take traffic from the I-29/I-880 interchange east to the I-80/I-880 interchange, then southwest on I-80 into Council Bluffs.

Monday night, Iowa DOT’s Austin Yates told 6 News that there was anticipation that the interstate would reopen sometime during the weekend.

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Iowa

New testing required for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs

Published

14 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

New testing required for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On Tuesday, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture announced new testing requirements for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs and exhibitions.

Secretary Mike Naig announced the new requirements as a way to minimize the potential spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). HPAI (also known as Bird Flu) has hit numerous dairy cattle in the state. The Secretary says the state should expect to see new positive cases announced as the increased testing takes place.

“The Department is issuing a statewide order effective July 1 that will require additional tests for HPAI prior to dairy cattle participating at our state’s many fairs and exhibitions,” said Secretary Naig. “We want to strike a balance between allowing our 4-H, FFA, and dairy exhibitors the opportunity to show their animals, while also requiring additional testing to protect our livestock and minimize the potential spread of the virus,” said Secretary Naig.

To date, the state has reported 11 positive cases of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa. 9 of those cases have been detected in Sioux County. Iowa has had three poultry cases thus far in 2024, including one case in a commercial chicken layer in Sioux County and two cases in commercial turkey flocks.

“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza isn’t just a poultry issue or a dairy issue, it’s an issue for all of agriculture. Our approach is reflective of our significant livestock industry, and I want to thank our farmers who have stepped up to help contribute to the broader understanding, visibility and knowledge of this virus,” said Secretary Naig. “We should expect additional challenges ahead and as the situation continues to evolve, we will also continue to evaluate our response. We continue to support our farmers through the joint state and federal response team who are navigating this evolving and unpredictable situation.”

Suspected signs of HPAI in poultry include:

Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
Decrease in egg production
Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
Difficulty breathing
Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
Stumbling and/or falling down
Diarrhea

Suspected signs of HPAI in dairy cows include:

Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination
Clear nasal discharge
Drop in milk production
Tacky or loose feces
Lethargy
Dehydration
Fever
Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk

Officials say that it is safe to enjoy poultry products. Consumers should utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.

If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

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Iowa

2024 Eastern Iowa fireworks displays

Published

22 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Cities across Iowa are preparing to host annual Independence Day fireworks displays!

Here is a list of displays you can see in eastern Iowa this year:

Bettendorf

Parade at 10 a.m. on July 4 in downtown Bettendorf
4th of July Festival from noon to 10 p.m. on Spruce Hills Drive in front of Cumberland Square
Fireworks at Middle Park at dusk
More info

Cedar Falls

Fireworks Over the Dome at 9:40 p.m. on June 27

Cedar Rapids

Ellis Fireworks on the River at 9 p.m. on July 3 – more info
Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival – Celebration of Freedom Fireworks
Fireworks start at dark on July 4 in downtown Cedar Rapids
More info

Charles City

Fourth of July Celebration from July 3-6
Fourth of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 4, then fireworks by the Cedar River in the evening
Main Street Charles City’s Party in the Park on July 5
July 6 – magician show, cornhole tournament
More info

Coralville

Coralville’s annual 4thFest parade at 10 a.m. on July 4, starting and ending at the corner of 9th Street and 22nd Avenue
Fireworks display in S.T. Morrison Park at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

Garnavillo