Iowa

‘Iowa Caucus kingmaker’ endorses ‘bold and courageous’ Ron DeSantis for president

Published

7 months ago

November 22, 2023

‘Iowa Caucus kingmaker’ endorses ‘bold and courageous’ Ron DeSantis for president

The “Iowa Caucus kingmaker” is Team DeSantis.

Bob Vander Plaats, a prominent Iowa Christian evangelical leader, announced his endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president on Tuesday.

Vander Plaats, the CEO and president of the Family Leader conservative group, argued that DeSantis, 45, is the best chance Republicans have at winning the 2024 general election and said his endorsement shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“What we saw in 2022, the supposedly ‘red wave’ really only happened in Florida and in Iowa,” Vander Plaats told Fox News “Special Report” host Bret Baier.

“Gov. DeSantis took a reliable toss-up state in Florida and made it completely red — won by 20 points, won in demographics that we haven’t won in — but he’s also done that by being a bold and courageous leader.

“So right away, it was kind of his endorsement to lose,” he added.

Vander Plaats noted that DeSantis “closed the sale” with his performance at The Family Leader’s Thanksgiving Family Forum last week in Des Moines, which featured a roundtable discussion between Vander Plaats, DeSantis, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, 38, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, 51.

Former President Donald Trump, the 77-year-old Iowa caucus front-runner, was not invited to the event by Vander Plaats’ group.

“He was very clear about [how] we need a president who can serve two terms, not one term. We don’t need a president that’s gonna be a lame duck on day one. You need a president that’s gonna surround themselves with the best and brightest people, versus having a hard time attracting them again. And someone who’s actually going to do what they say they’re going to do, and I just think he’s got the spine to do it. And I think he’s got the experience to win for us,” Vander Plaats explained.

The last three candidates that Vander Plaats has endorsed have gone on to win the Iowa caucuses, but none of them became the GOP nominee.

He endorsed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2008, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in 2012 and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in 2016.

“I think the country needs to look at Iowa a little bit more,” Vander Plaats said of his past endorsements.

The evangelical leader also predicted that if Trump wins in Iowa “he’s going to be your eventual nominee.”

“I think America would be well served to have a choice, and I really believe Ron DeSantis is that guy and I think Iowa’s tailor-made for him to win this,” he added.

The DeSantis campaign celebrated the endorsement of the “Iowa Caucus kingmaker,” noting in a statement that Vander Plaats’ support comes just days after the Sunshine State governor secured the endorsement of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds — the first time since 1996 that a sitting Iowa governor has endorsed a GOP presidential primary candidate.

“As I’ve made my way through 98 of Iowa’s 99 counties, Iowans have shared what a critical role Bob Vander Plaats plays in engaging Iowa’s faith community in the key battles that matter,” DeSantis said. “His support tells Iowans they can trust me to fight and win for them.

“We’re thrilled to have Bob and Darla [his wife] on Team DeSantis and are thankful for their friendship as we’ve gotten to know them throughout this campaign. The road to America’s revival starts in Iowa, and we will get the job done.”

The Trump campaign accused Vander Plaats of demanding money for his endorsement, a claim the faith leader denies.

“Over 150 faith leaders in Iowa are organizing their congregations for President Trump and not a single one demanded nearly $100K like Bob Vander Plaat$ did from Ron DeSanctus,” the campaign said in a statement. “When you are actually the leader of a movement like President Trump is, people are willing to support you for free. Kim Reynolds’ endorsement won’t save Ron DeSanctus, and neither will Vander Plaat$’ endorsement.”

“President Trump knows better than anybody, anybody that my endorsement has never been and never will be for sale,” Vander Plaats told Baier. “So it has nothing to do with any type of money that is being paid or anything like that.”

He explained that candidates, including DeSantis, Ramaswamy and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), had paid his organization in order to attend dinners and be promoted in the group’s programs.

“They had to pay for that,” Vander Plaats acknowledged.

DeSantis is currently polling in second place in the Hawkeye State, well behind Trump, who leads the Florida governor by nearly 30 points, according to a RealClearPolitics average of surveys.

Vander Plaats argued that the key for DeSantis in the Jan. 15 caucuses will be getting the “60% to 65%” of Iowans “open to choosing somebody” other than Trump to coalesce behind the Florida governor.

“And that’s going to be up to Gov. DeSantis and for those of us like Kim Reynolds and myself and others who have endorsed the governor to rally around him and see if we can get him over the finish line in the state of Iowa so America has a real choice,” he said.

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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