Gazette Daily News Briefing, January 6 and 7
Welcome to the weekend!
This is Stephen Colbert from the Gazette Digital News Desk, and I’m here with your update for Saturday, January 6th and Sunday January 7th, 2024.
According to the National Weather Service, there may be some snow from Friday night, but otherwise Saturday will be partly sunny, with a high near 37. Saturday night will have a 20 percent chance of snow and be mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Sunday will be partly sunny, with a high near 34, and Sunday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.
The first winter storm of 2024 is en route to Iowa
The first winter storm of the year will blow across the Midwest early next week, meteorologists are forecasting.
The storm system should charge through southeastern Iowa Monday afternoon into Tuesday evening. It brings a 40 percent to 70 percent chance of at least minor winter travel impacts to Eastern Iowa, with the potential for accumulating snowfall and strong winds.
Be sure to check weather forecasts and road conditions before you travel anywhere, and pack an emergency supply kit for your vehicle.
Iowa Republican caucus results will be posted in real time on caucus night
The results of the first-in-the-nation Iowa Republican presidential caucus will be reported in real time on a public website, the state party said Thursday.
The Iowa Republican caucus results will be displayed online and constantly updated through the evening as they are reported to and confirmed by the state party, Republican Party of Iowa consultant Patrick Stewart told reporters Thursday.
Stewart said the results will be processed in three stages: vote collection at the 1,657 precincts across the state, verification at state party headquarters, and the public reporting to the website.
Iowa Democrats push to reverse state rejection of federal summer food assistance
Iowa Statehouse Democrats will push to reverse a decision from state officials to opt out of a federal food assistance program for low-income children, party leaders said during a forum Thursday.
House and Senate Democratic leaders made the remarks during the Iowa Capitol Press Association’s annual Legislative Session Preview Forum. Republican leaders and Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds declined to attend the forum.
The state Department of Health and Human Services announced in December that it would not participate in the 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children program. The program would have given $40 per child for each of the summer months to families who qualify for free and reduced lunch during the school year.
Instead, Reynolds said the state would expand existing programs that “leverage partnerships with community-based providers and schools who understand the needs of the families they serve.”
Have a good weekend everyone.
