(Radio Iowa) – The races in Iowa’s first and third congressional districts are considered among the few competitive U.S. House races in the country and campaign spending in the two districts has skyrocketed to at least $50 million. The data comes from AdImpact, a firm that tracks spending on TV and radio as well as digital and social media. Many mailboxes in those two districts have been stuffed with campaign appeals, too. Iowa State University political science professor Dave Peterson said it’s about motivating a very small number of voters.

“The sweet spot for campaigns and for candidates is at this point to identify people who are unlikely to participate unless they are pushed a little bit, but if they do participate are going to vote for that candidate,” Peterson said, “and that’s where the targeting really goes.” Drake University political science professor Rachel Paine Caufield said research shows mailings that target infrequent voters who’d be inclined to support a candidate are effective.

“Those kinds of campaign activities can be very effective in mobilizing people to go vote and activating them if they’re on the fence and maybe deciding whether or not to take time out of their Tuesday. They might say: ‘Oh, you know what, I should go do this, this is important,’” Paine Caufield said. “…Some people may have received campaign mailers that appear to almost shame them for their voting record or share their neighbor’s voting records. There is research demonstrating that that is actually a pretty strong mobilization tactic.”

The two professors made their comments during a weekend appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS.

Drake University professor Rachel Paine Caufield and Iowa State University professor David Peterson on the Iowa Press set. (Iowa PBS photo)

Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an eye doctor, is in a tight race in the first congressional district. She said during a campaign stop in Oskaloosa that reauthorizing the Trump-era tax cuts will be a priority if she’s reelected. “People need to know their paychecks will get smaller if we do not pass the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2025 because tax brackets will automatically go up,” Miller-Meeks said. “Also in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (of 2017) was doubling the child care tax credit.”

Democrat Christina Bohannan, a University of Iowa law professor who ran against Miller-Meeks in 2022, said that campaign laid the groundwork for this one. “We really just hit the ground running again this time and added more volunteers, you know, more of a field operation to get out in a grassroots way to Iowa and it’s worked,” Bohannan said during an interview with Radio Iowa. Bohannan started her Saturday meeting with volunteers in Clinton County. “We have knocked nearly 100,000 doors across this district,” Bohannan said. “It is so close…and what we know is that it all comes down to turnout in these last few days. That is the absolute key.”

Miller-Meeks campaigned in Muscatine and Davenport on Sunday. “Scott County is our largest county, so certainly Scott is a very important county for us, but every county is,” Miller-Meeks said. “…Their votes matter. Their voices matter.” The other closely watched congressional race in Iowa is in the third district where Republican Zach Nunn is seeking a second term in the U.S. House. Lanon Baccam, the Democrat running against Nunn, said his campaign’s volunteers have been focused on reaching voters for one-on-one conversations.

“It’s an unreal number,” Baccam said Saturday during an interview in his campaign office in Windsor Heights. “We have been operating over the last several weekends over 5000 doors a day. We have that many volunteers out knocking doors at this point. That’s huge for us in the final stretch here.” Nunn has been telling supporters his race is at the center of the battle for partisan control of congress. “We have a real opportunity with now a very clear and proven record,” Nunn said during an interview with Radio Iowa. “Being able to get out there and have your voice heard is more than just about the election. It’s more about what the next two years are going to look like in America.”

Iowans may still vote early today (Monday). Check with your county auditor for times and locations. Election Day voting opens at neighborhood precincts at 7 a.m. tomorrow.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa)- Officials with Connections Area Agency on Aging have announced their 6th Annual “Secret Santa for Seniors” program is underway. The program that ensures older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and isolated, receive a little holiday cheer during the busiest season of the year, began November 1st. If you or someone you know needs assistance, or if you would like to adopt a senior or donate to the program generally, please reach out to Connections AAA at 800-432-9209 (Extension 8132), or email info@connectionsaaa.org. Together, we can make a significant impact this holiday season.

Connections Area Agency on Aging is dedicated to building strong support for older Iowans and their family caregivers. Throughout the year, Connections collaborates with local organizations to better serve older adults, their caregivers, and our communities. The intent is to create healthier and safer living environments for seniors, whether at home, in nursing homes, or in assisted living facilities.

In 2021, 44.4% of Iowans aged 65 and over lived alone (source: Iowa Data Center). Our program focuses on older adults with little to no family support, ensuring that they experience the joy of the holiday season. Given the rising cost of living, many older adults rely on fixed incomes. This year, we are prioritizing gift cards, allowing program participants to purchase food, personal items, or enjoy a special dinner or treat at local businesses they frequent.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports a man was arrested Saturday on an OWI charge. 28-year-old John Duffy, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He posted a $1,000 bond and was released.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Vietnam War veteran has received the medal he earned, five decades after the war ended. Dan McDowell served in the Marine Corps and finally received his medals last Friday, during a ceremony at the Indian Creek Nature Area auditorium in Cedar Rapids. KCRG reports one of his awards was the Purple Heart, for being wounded in combat. His wife, children and grandchildren attended the ceremony.

Dan McDowell said he was grateful he did not suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), like so many veterans of war have, despite the intensity of combat. He said he was grateful his family was able to be with him when he was presented with his medals.

(Buckingham, Iowa) – A church in the east-central Iowa town of Buckingham was  recently vandalized by spray paint, with profanity and disrespectful images. The Tama County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media, Saturday: “Well, it seems like this rural Buckingham church has caught the attention of some budding “artists” who decided that spray painting on the side of the church was their best creative outlet. To the masterminds behind this masterpiece: congratulations on proving that a lack of intelligence can indeed lead to poor life choices. If you thought this was “cool”, all it really shows is how desperate you are for attention. Our communities deserve better, and we’re committed to keeping it that way!”

Suspect vehicle in the vandalism case

Image edited to blot-out vulgar language

The Sheriff’s Office posted images of the graffiti and a suspect vehicle, and is asking the public for information leading to the identity of the vandals.

(Area News) – While the focus of this Tuesday’s General Election nationwide will be on the Presidential race, and State/National Congressional and/or Legislative races, there are some local races to keep tabs on. In Cass County (IA), Republican incumbent Bernard Pettinger, of Anita, faces a challenge from Democrat Phyllis Stakey for the Board of Supervisors in District 5. Four candidates are in the running for three seats on the (non-partisan) Soil and Water Conservation District Board, including: Terry Langan, of Griswold; Curt Behrends, of Wiota; Chris P. Witzman, of Atlantic, and Chase Wheatley, of Massena.

There are no contested races in Adair and Montgomery Counties. There are two men running for the Adams County Board of Supervisors in District 5: Republicans Christopher Standley, and Karl McCarty. Adams County voters will also determine the fate of Public Measure AJ, which asks if the Board of Supervisors be reduced from five members to three, per Iowa Code.

In Audubon County, four people are hoping to fill two seats on the Board of Supervisors. The candidates include Republicans Kent Grabill and Donald J. Mosinski, Democrat Nathan Wahlert, and incumbent Douglas D. Sorensen. And, Republican incumbent Audubon County Auditor Lisa Frederiksen is facing a challenge from Christena Hemmingsen.

In Guthrie County, voters will choose whether or not to retain County Democrat incumbent Sheriff Marty Arganbright, or replace him with his Deputy, Republican Matt Harmann.

Pottawattamie County voters get to choose one of two candidates for County Auditor: Incumbent Republican Mary Ann Hanusa, or Free/Independent candidate Bryan Jack Holder. In Shelby County, there are six people running for four seats on the County Ag Extension Council. The candidates include: Connie Petersen; Michele Monson; Kathy Fara; Matthew Worthey; Kristi Travis, and Larry J. Wendt, Jr.

There are Public Measures in Cass County, with regard to: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the levy of a local option income surtax of 1% upon the Iowa Individual Income Tax for 15-years, beginning Dec. 31, 2025, plus, an Ad Valorem tax on property not to exceed 75-cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, beginning with the taxes collected June 30, 2026; There is also a $22.5-million General Obligation bond issuance in the CAM School District for building and site construction, improvements and/or repairs. CAM School District patrons in Adair, Adams and Audubon Counties will also have the Public Measure on their ballots. And, there is a $55-million General Obligation Bond Measure for 13 Counties (Including Cass), included in the Iowa Western Community College Merged Area 8, for similar infrastructure purposes.

All counties will have Constitutional Amendments on the ballot, with regard to the voting age and requirements, and authorizing the lieutenant governor to act as governor or lieutenant governor-elect to be the governor or governor-elect, if the governor is temporarily or permanently disabled, resigns or dies in office, thereby creating a vacancy in the office of Lt. Governor or Lt. Gov. elect, as appropriate.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report four arrests since the beginning of November. Most recently:

There were two arrests Sunday (Nov. 3rd) in Creston. 55-year-old David Wayne Kemp was arrested at the Casey’s store on N. Sumner Street at around 7-a.m.  Kemp – who has no known address – was charged with Possess Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd Offense. He was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $2,000 bond; And, at around 10-a.m. Sunday, Creston Police arrested 35-year-old Eric Daniel Batson, of Corning. Batson taken into custody under the authority of a Union County Warrant for Stalking. He was later released on a $10,000 bond.

At around 2:45-a.m. Saturday, Police in Creston arrested 23-year-old Meghan Ashley Mitchell, of Lorimor, for OWI/1st offense. She later posted a $2,000 bond and was released.

And, at about 11:30-p.m. Friday, Creston Police arrested 42-year-old Wendi Sue Pearson, of Creston, for OWI/1st Offense, and Child Endangerment. Pearson was taken to the Union County Jail where she later posted a $3,000 bond before being released.