(Radio Iowa) – Democrats speaking at a weekend rally in Iowa’s largest county say the state will be trending away from Republican dominance toward parity between the two major parties. About 500 people were at the Polk County Democrats Steak Fry fundraiser and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker was the keynote speaker. “It’s time to end the tyranny and cruelty of MAGA Republicans…Can we defeat them?” Pritzker asked and the crowd responded, “Yeah!” before Pritzker continued: “It’s not going to be easy, but it may be one of the most important fights we’ve ever fought.”

Pritzker told reporters on Saturday afternoon that there is “a real chance” Kamala Harris could win Iowa. “Iowa is on the move toward Democrats,” Pritzker said. “…It’s time for a change, so from the state legislature all the way to the congressional candidates, it’s important for people to get out to vote.”

A Des Moines Register “Iowa Poll” released Sunday found women, Iowans under the age of 45 and Iowans with a college degree have more interest in voting now compared to late this spring when Joe Biden was running. The poll shows Harris closing the 18-point gap between Biden and Donald Trump, with Harris four points behind Trump. That gain by Harris may explain why national Democrats — unlike two years ago — are spending money supporting the Democrats running in Iowa’s first and third congressional districts.

Lanon Baccam of Des Moines is challenging Republican Congressman Zach Nunn in the third district. “Folks, we have an opportunity to change the direction of this state,” Baccam told the crowd Saturday. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst  says after Republicans banned nearly all abortions in Iowa and voted to send millions of state tax dollars to private schools, the issue set for 2024 favors Democrats running for the legislature.

“People in this state are ready for change,” Konfrst said. “I promise you that.” State Auditor Rob Sand says while Governor Kim Reynolds won by double-digits two years ago, three other statewide races and a congressional race were narrowly decided — giving Democrats a chance to flip statehouse and congressional seats from Republicans to Democrats. “As red as the establishment of the Republican Party is, this is still a purple state,” Sand said. “That is the bottom line.”

Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart told the crowd Democrats have a big opportunity to capitalize with Harris at the top of the ticket. Iowa G-O-P chair Jeff Kaufmann said Democrats can fantasize all they want, but the Republican Party of Iowa remains confident about November. Trump won Iowa by 10 points in 2016 and by eight points in 2020. The latest “Iowa Poll” found Trump with 47 percent support in this fall’s survey, conducted from Sunday, September 8th through last Wednesday.

(Iowa News Service) – A new report from AARP Iowa predicts thousands of seniors on Medicare Part D in the state will save money on their prescriptions, thanks to a cap on out-of-pocket expenses set to take effect next year. The limit is part of the Inflation Reduction Act. The report says more than 27,000 Iowans will see their annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs capped at $2,000.

AARP Iowa’s Advocacy Manager Paige Yontz said right now, some Iowa seniors are forced to use cost-coping strategies – like not filling a prescription or skipping doses – to save money. “On average, people who reach that capped amount are going to see a savings of about $1,500,” said Yontz. “This is something that AARP really fought hard for. We knew that this would provide critical relief for Medicare enrollees here in Iowa.”

The AARP report breaks down the number of seniors who will benefit from the cap by state, age, gender, and race between 2025 and 2029.  Nationwide, the new cap is expected to mean 3.2 million people will see a reduction in prescription drug expenses.  Yontz said the cost of prescription medications is among the biggest concerns Iowa seniors face. She added that the cap will provide some cost certainty for a vulnerable segment of the population.

“Knowing that people aren’t going to pay a dime over $2,000 is just such a financial relief for so many people, regardless of their income level,” said Yontz. “There are just so many people that struggle to make ends meet, when it comes to paying for the drugs that they need.”

The cap on prescription drug costs takes effect the first of next year.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop late Saturday night in Montgomery County, resulted in an arrest. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 40-year-old Cory Ross Smith, of Elliott, was arrested for Driving While Barred, after he was pulled-over at around 11:25-p.m. near 110th Street and Redwood Avenue. Smith was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports two people were arrested on separate charges early this (Sunday) morning. Authorities say 35-year-old Andrew Ryan Manning, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 2:20-a.m. in the 100 block of W. Coolbaugh Street, for Driving While Barred (an Aggravated Misdemeanor). Manning was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

And, at around 12:40-a.m. Sunday (today), Red Oak Police arrested 38-year-old Jessica Louise Abraham, of Red Oak, for Domestic Abuse Assault. Abraham was taken into custody in the 1700 block of Crestline Drive, and held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa  – Gas prices are expected to continue falling through the election. Right now, the national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.20. That’s down 24 cents from a month ago. Triple A says in Iowa, the average price of gasoline (as of Sept. 15th) in $2.99 a gallon, which is 99-cents cheaper than at this same time last year. Diesel is selling for an average of $3.35/gallon in Iowa. Last year, the price was $4.39 on average.

Prices are expected to keep dropping, with a national average below three dollars a gallon as soon as next month. The primary culprits behind the dip are low demand and falling oil costs.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand fell last week from 8.93 million b/d to 8.47. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose 219.2 to 221.6 million barrels, and gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.4 million barrels per day. Tumbling gasoline demand and oil costs will likely keep pump prices sliding.