Iowa

Trump steals the show at the Iowa State Fair as legal troubles swirl

Published

11 months ago

August 13, 2023

Trump steals the show at the Iowa State Fair as legal troubles swirl

DES MOINES — Former President Trump was the clear star of the show at the Iowa State Fair this weekend, despite a growing number of legal problems threatening to bedevil his reelection campaign.

Trump visited the annual Iowa event Saturday — the same day that his chief primary rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, was also there. Though the two men charted their own courses in dueling appearances throughout the state fair, DeSantis was seemingly unable to shake off Trump, as has been the case for much of his campaign so far.

As DeSantis flipped meat on the grill at the Pork Producers tent alongside Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), a group of Trump supporters stood a few feet away, wearing Trump hats or wearing signs that said “President Donald J. Trump Back to Back Iowa Champ 2016 2020.”

Trump lost to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in the Iowa caucuses in 2016. After notching the GOP nomination, he won the state against Hillary Clinton in that year’s general election.

In a jab at reporting that has suggested that aides, donors and some Republicans don’t believe DeSantis is a likable candidate, a banner flew over the fair that read: “Be likable, Ron!” And as DeSantis and his family left the Pork Producers tent to their next stop, some crowd goers could loudly be heard heckling him, saying, “We love Trump!”

The Trump-DeSantis proxy war was also on display among the legislators that accompanied them along their trips.

Iowa state lawmakers were with DeSantis during the fair. Reynolds, Ernst and Nunn also accompanied him during his visit at the Pork Producer tent, though all three have not yet formally endorsed a candidate and also met with other presidential candidates during the fair, including former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Meanwhile, Trump visited the state fair alongside members of the Florida GOP congressional delegation that have endorsed him for president, including Reps. Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds, among others.

A throng of people vied to see Trump up close. During one of his stops at the Steer N’ Stein, fairgoers stood in the heat awaiting the chance to see Trump pull into the event, with some visitors wearing red “Make America Great Again” hats and holding up a blue “Team Trump Make America Great Again!” sign.

Others patiently waited in golf carts on the other side of the venue, despite the fact that Trump spent most of his time inside. Emerging from the restaurant, he threw a few hats out into the crowd.

Though the crowd size is likely not indicative of how Iowans are weighing the primary, given that many fairgoers traveled from out-of-state to attend the fair, Trump’s rock star-like presence at the state fair demonstrated the grip the former president still holds among a portion of the GOP electorate.

Some fairgoers said they’re anticipating voting for Trump again in the GOP primary.

“I just really like that Trump did so much good for the economy and peace to the Middle East, working to secure the border,” said Logan Holmes, who lives in northern Iowa.

“I just think he’s one of the few people we’ve had that have done what they said they were gonna do in a lot of instances,” he added, noting that he also did like biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and DeSantis.

Ana Bennett, of Ankeny, Iowa, said she would also be backing Trump again, saying, “I think he’s gonna get shit done, and he’s gonna make things happen, and I like who he is.”

But for some voters, they say the choice is a tough one. Kelly Millard, also of Ankeny, said he was “torn” between the former president and DeSantis.

“I think DeSantis seems more straight conservative than Trump does. But I think as far as the economy goes, I think …. the economy was strong under [Trump],” Millard said, while acknowledging Florida’s current economy is strong as well.

The dueling appearances between Trump and DeSantis come as the Florida governor has seen some modest signs of momentum in the state. Conservative Iowa radio host Steve Deace announced on his show Friday that he was endorsing the Florida governor.

“I’m endorsing Ron DeSantis for president because I think he’s the strongest leader in the race. I think that’s proven. I’ve just seen a level of leadership, strength, that I’ve just not seen in this era,” Deace said.

Some recent polling has shown the gap between Trump and DeSantis starting to narrow, too. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll showed Trump leading DeSantis 44 percent to 20 percent, a difference of 24 points. But a Fox Business poll in Iowa last month showed Trump ahead of DeSantis by 30 points, at 46 percent and 16 percent, respectively.

Louise Fredericksen, from Indianapolis, said she was leaning toward Ramaswamy in the GOP primary but saw DeSantis as a likable candidate.

“We went to [Atlantic, Iowa], yesterday and heard him out there, and he was terrific,” Fredericksen said.

“I don’t understand why the press keeps saying he doesn’t relate to people because boy, everybody was loving him, and he was loving everybody. It was really friendly,” she added.

One thing that was clear among some fairgoers listening to the candidates was that the legal challenges and drama swirling around Trump were a liability to the 2024 candidate.

Joe Budd, from Palm Beach County, Fla., who used to be a motorcade driver for Trump, said he was an early supporter of Trump but is now backing DeSantis. He called the Florida governor “more MAGA” and “less drama” — a reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” policies.

“I think he’s going to appeal to a broader base of support, and I’m concerned that with 60 percent disapproval ratings that Trump has, he can’t win a general election,” said Budd.

Beattie Ashmore, an attorney from Greenville, S.C., said while the field is “still wide open,” he was supporting Haley. Ashmore, who donated $1,000 to Haley last quarter, said he was at the Iowa State Fair to “listen and learn.”

Ashmore said he expected Trump to lose this cycle if the former president becomes the GOP nominee, as he did in 2020.

“Legal challenges aside, he just — he couldn’t carry the popular vote last time,” he said.

Even some voters who said they’d like to vote for Trump conceded that he could have a harder time winning over critical voting blocs such as independents.

“We have to nominate somebody who’s going to get elected,” said Joe, a fairgoer from New Jersey who requested his last name not be published. “I personally would like Trump, but I’m afraid of the independents — that he’s not going to get the independent vote. So I would prefer DeSantis, because maybe he’s going to attract the independent vote.”

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Iowa

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

Published

2 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

9 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

17 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