Milestone. Fox 28 News Reporter and host of iowa in focus, kevin barry joins us now live from the governors celebration in des moines with more on tonights festivities. Kevin . More than a thousand people came to the fair grounds tonight to celebrate with the governor. The night included a discussion with the governor where he talked about his time in office. Early on he spoke about how he grew up in a family of democrats until he got to college. He said he didnt fit in with the College Democrats at the time so a friend invited him to a College Republicans meeting. And the speaker that night was a state representative named Chuck Grassley. So the first republican meeting i went to Chuck Grassley was the speaker and ive been an active republican ever since. Says from then on, he was a republican, and eventually got his mother to switch parties house. At the bottom of the hour. Hear what the governor has to say about how iowas worth ethic helped him get reelected over and over again. In des moines, kevin barry, fox 28 news. Kevin thanks. Now fox 28 news looks ahead to next years races in tonights vote 2016 coverage. Coverage. A Des Moines Register poll released over the weekend proclaimed a new leader in iowa. Iowa. And a new poll out today seems to confirm theres a big shift in support for the republican nomination. Nomination. The benefactor of that support is texas senator ted cruz. The latest quinnipiac poll has cruz now in a businessman donald trump. Both are far ahead of the rest of the field. Florida senator marco rubio checks in at 14 percent. Former iowa front runner, doctor ben carson, has now slipped to fourth with 10 percent. The republican candidates will face off in on the democratic side, front runner Hillary Clinton is holding on to her lead here in iowa. But a new Des Moines Register bloomberg poll shows not by much. Clinton is only nine points ahead of vermont senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders made a number of stops in eastern iowa over the weekend, attracting thousands of younger voters. Clinton is scheduled to make stops in iowa city and mason city on wednesday. After a weekend filled with rain, we finally got a chance to dry out a bit today. Today. But when will we see the sun again . Again . Justin roberts is in for chief meteorologist terry Iowa City Police are asking for help in solving an attempted robbery this morning. Morning. It happened outside the kum and go on South Riverside drive just before 11 am. A Victim Told Police a man attacked him and tried to steal a bank bag. The victim managed to hold onto the bag but had to be treated for minor injuries. Injuries. The suspect ran away before officers arrived. Surveillance photo of the suspect. If you have any information regarding this case, call Crime Stoppers at 358tips. You could be eligible for a cash reward. Now to the war on terror. President obama today met with his top military advisors at the pentagon. Pentagon. The president says the us and its allies are hitting the terror group harder than ever. Ever. He cited ramped up attacks not only by the us, but france, and the addition of air strikes carried out by great britain. Despite what the president sees as progress, he admits it doesnt always look like that so far away from the battlefield. We recognize that progress needs to keep coming faster. Just as the United States is doing more in this fight, just as our allies france, germany, and the united kingdom, australia, and italy are doing more, so must others. Staff at the white house met with american muslim leaders. The Muslim Community to become more active in the fight against extremism and radicalization. The department of Homeland Security is coming under intense criticism tonight for pulling the plug on two federal programs setup to track terrorists on american soil. Soil. Two former employees with dhs stepped forward in recent days to express concern about the governments approach to fighting terrorism. National correspondent Kristine Frazao has more in a story you will see only on fox 28 news. News. We hear of the see something, Say Something and i did Say Something. In 2012, philip haney was a highly specialized Counter Terrorism expert within the department of Homeland Security. Haney says after he connected dots to a fundamentalist Islamic Group in california he told his bosses at dhs. California terrorist syed farook would go on to have ties to the same group haney had on his radar years earlier. They closed the case down because of civil haney says his findings could have potentially put farook on a no fly list and the visa farooks wife, Tashfeen Malik was given to come to the u. S. In 2014 could have been denied had dhs and the u. S. Department of justice not pulled the plug on haneys investigation. The department of Homeland Security responded to haneys allegations with this statement saying in part the office for civil rights, Civil Liberties reviews allegations of civil Rights Violations and makes policy recommendations to ensure the department upholds the constitution and our laws. Dhs added personnel are not permitted to independently create terrorist related lookouts in a database. But haney is not the only one going public in recent days to talk about questionable federal policies. John cohen, a former acting under secretary at dhs told abc news, Homeland Security barred immigration experts from reviewing social media messages of all foreigners applying for u. S. Visas. Seeking out maliks online messages in support of terror groups. Cohen told abc it was primarily a question of optics. There were concerns from a privacy and Civil Liberties perspective. Clifford may is with the foundation for defense of democracies. We are being very politically correct and we are sacraficing because of that kind of reticencein Clifford Mays mind, theres little doubt Islamist Groups will continue to exploit weaknesses in americas policies. Im Kristine Frazao reporting. Fox 28 news reached out to the american Civil Liberties union but they declined comment for our story also tonight, an american soldier held captive by the taliban for years is now facing a courtmartial. Martial. Army Sergeant Bowe bergdahl was part of a prison swap. The us traded five former taliban leaders held in guantanamo for his safe return. Now, sergeant bergdahls Attorney Says he will face desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. If convicted in a military court, bergdahl could face a sentence of up to life in prison. Three years ago tonight, we were just learning the details of one of worst Mass Shootings in our nations history, history,a gunman shot and killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in newtown, connecticuit. 20 of the victims were young children. The shooting sparked a renewed effort to Pass National gun reforms, but those efforts failed. No major events were planned in newton to mark todays anniversary. But there were two events held here in the corridor over the weekend. Iowans for gun safety partnered with Cedar Rapids Metro High School students to ask for an end to gun violence. Students read the names of the twenty six victims. Organizers also passed out orange bookmarks with the victims names. And in iowa city, a group called moms demand action for gun sense in america also marked the tragic anniversary. The group is calling on lawmakers to pass reasonable reforms including better background checks and better tracking of gun purchases. A special group at a local middle school is teaching students how to be the best they can be, no matter what struggle they might face. Face. Its only been in session for one year, but students say its already changed their lives. Fox 28 News Reporter dora miller has the details on onwhat this group is accomplishing at Franklin Middle School the trendsetters group is a safe place for 7th and 8th graders. The teacher who started the group says she saw a need and one year ago decided to meet it. It. The trendsetters in this group arent bogged down by appearance. Or by social status. Status. Everybodys the same no matter what color skin you are and no matter what you do. cover with video its about potential. Potential. Everybody in this room has different talents and has a purpose and a reason. Reason. I expect so much from eachnd every one of you. The students call her ms. Johnson. Johnson. She calls each one of us her little babies or pumpkin. Her group gives students a safe place to just be themselves. Themselves. Its like the only time at school where you get to act yourself, but still in a school setting. No requirements no judgement. Just one rule. Rule. What happens in group, stays in group. Group. Whatever happens in group, stays in group. Group. In this group we all have different situations, family and life, but the thing is whatever we say we keep inside and help each other out. And theres one goal one reason these students come here at the end of the day day to be the best that they can be and to not let somebody elses views, some stereotype, themselves, their parents, anything else get in their way. Ms. Johnson says her time, money and efforts are to help those who dont feel like they have a voice. Voice. Honestly i dont really see that much, but she obviously sees something. Something. She believes in us. Us. Theyre great kids doing great things and the skys the most of the students are heading off to high school next year. They say because of the group, they feel more prepared. Covering the corridor in cedar rapids, Dora Miller Fox 28 news. Dora thanks. Some holiday spirit will put food on the table for thousands in Johnson County. County. Earlier today, iowa city mayor protem susan mims helped volunteers distribute meals at the iowa city Crisis Center. Those there say it is great to give back. Its a very exciting time if theyre having a holiday and they want to celebrate that with theyre family and even if theyre not that they cant normally have access to. To. The Johnson CountyCrisis Center says the need for food in Johnson County continues to grow. A 20 dollar donation helps them purchase a complete holiday meal for a family in need. Still to come on the fox 28 news at nine. Nine. Promoting by setting an example. The Corridor Company going green and urging others to do the same. Same. And it seems everywhere you turn these days you hear about star wars. How Transportation Leaders got in on the fun with a very serious message. Anncr when the attacks come here. The person behind this desk will have to protect your family. Will he be impulsive and reckless, like donald trump . Will he have voted to dramatically weaken counterterrorism surveillance, like ted cruz . Will he have skipped crucial and votes just to campaign, like marco rubio . 27 generals and admirals support jeb bush. Because jeb has the experience and knowledge to protect your family. Right to rise usa is responsible for the content of this message. Clouds filled area skies today, but the sun is shining bright for one homegrown Cedar Rapids Company. Company. Van meter recently partnered with a Political Organization called next gen climate iowa to act against climate change. Change. Fox 28 News Reporter steffi lee explains what motivated the Cedar Rapids Company to do this. This. At van meter in cedar rapids putting together clean energy materials. Materials. Is like clockwork. Clockwork. Light harvesting, geothermal, solar panels on the roof, it actually took our utility bill from roughly 10 thousand dollars a year to about three hundred dollars a year. Vice president of diversified business Scott Cornish says the Employee Owned company is already helping other businesses like classic enterprises harvest the power of solar energy. Energy. The things that we do we want to be generational. Not just for the betterment of us today, but for those that come after us. Now theyre taking the impact of all of this beyond their warehouse and other rooftops. Rooftops. We were interested in partnering with next gen based on their commitment to drive Public Policy towards sustainability and clean energy. Next gen climates Campaign Urges iowans to commit to fighting climate change. Change. So fifty by thirty is the transition to fifty Percent Clean Energy by the year 2030 and this is something that with the current technology, as it is, we can achieve. Both next gen and van meter say its not only about winning over the environment. Environment. A new Icf InternationalEconomic Analysis that has come out shows that we could add an additional 10 thousand jobs in 2030. Its to take this narrative outside the state level. Level. Its becoming more and more affordable and the barriers to get into the market are becoming less and less. Where shattering barriers means bringing these products to a national platform. Platform. Once you have awareness, then you can start providing solutions. Covering the corridor in cr, steffi lee, fox 28 news next gen climates Sister Organization also released numbers showing clean energy should result in eighteen thousand new jobs by 2050. Now to a more traditional source of energy. Theres good news for drivers here in iowa. Iowa. According to gas buddy dot com, the average price for a gallon of gas slipped more than four cents last week. Most stations in iowa are now below the two dollar a gallon mark. Experts say it is possible that prices could continue to fall from levels not seen in more than seven years. The Iowa Department of transportation is pushing its safety message with the force. Ahead of the release of star wars the force awakens, the d ot is using its network of electronic billboards to remind drivers about distracted driving. Right now cedar rapids signs are displaying awaken your inner force, focus on the road and the force is strong with you, put down the phone. Other themed messages are displayed through out the state. State. The force Awakens Opens in theaters officially on friday but many are showing the movie on thursday. Fox 28 news checked with the weherenberg theater in cedar rapids and the coral ridge theater in coralville. Managers at both locations say there are still plenty of Tickets Still to come on the fox 28 news at nine. Nine. Hours to go. What you need to know if youre looking for a health plan before the clock ticks down on the federal deadline. Deadline. And the clock continues to tick up for governor branstads time in office, now in never beforeseen territory. Well take you back live to tonights celebration in des moines when the fox 28 news setting dear future, life is good. No, great. Im like, a man. Only better. But even though i know everything, i still feel like you could surprise me. Like that skateboard incident with the squirrel. But life is sweet now. Hey, what could go wrong . Its you and me all the way, future. Paris theres a lot to do on a dairy farm. Nobodys gonna do it for you. You have to get out there and do it yourself. Bernie sanders is a wellknown friend of family farms. Bernie cannot be bought out by big money. Bernies opinion cannot be purchased. Its time for our next president to get in there, roll up his sleeves, take off the gloves, and take on wall street, take on big business, take on big money, and get the working class back to where they should be. Hes a rock. Sanders im Bernie Sanders and i approve this message. Americans are now Getting Health Coverage through the Affordable Care act. Act. And if you are still in need of insurance, the clock is ticking. Ticking. And that tops tonights to your health report. Report. You have until tomorrow night to sign up for coverage through healthcare dot gov if you want to be covered on january first. Nearly three million have already signed up, but a surge is expected in the coming hours. Leaders say signing up has been streamlined and takes an average of ten minutes online. Online. If you dont have access to a computer, call this number, 1800 3182596 to learn more about how you can sign up. Those who choose not to have Health Coverage could face fines that could top nearly 700dollars per adult on their 2016 taxes. A new study out t night is triggering some big concerns for expecting mothers. Mothers. New data out of canada suggests the risk of autism nearly doubles for children whose mothers take anti depression drugs including prozac or zoloft while pregnant. While the risk still just a one to two percent risk overall. Doctors say this needs to be handled on a casebycase basis because the risks of depression can be devastating. Over the years ive worked with many obstetricians and we have to decide for each person what the risk benefit ratio is. Is. So the bottom line, doctors say you should never stop taking any prescribed medications on your own. The best advice, talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have. If you think youre kids are growing up too fast, theres new numbers out tonight to back that up. Up. The American Academy of pediatrics suggests children are physically developing earlier than ever before. They warn signs of sexual maturity does not always come at the same time as clinical puberty. If you are noticing Rapid Development in your kids, especially under the age of eight, talk to a pediatrician. Next on the fox 28 news at nine. Nine. Marking a major milestone. Well take you live to des moines where governor branstad is celebrating his Record Setting Service leading the state of iowa. Iowa. And later, the uni panthers have already slayed one basketball giant. Now they go for another takedown, this time against instate rival iowa state. A preview of the big showdown when the fox years ago, iowa voters elected their youngest governor ever. Tonight, he is celebrating a new milestone. Terry branstad served as the states Lieutenant Governor under governor robert ray. Ray. When governor ray stepped down, the voters asked branstad to step in. Since that night, voters have asked him to step back into the Governors Office five more times. Times. Fox 28 News Reporter and host of iowa in focus kevin barry joins us live right now from des moines where the governor marked a historic milestone tonight, kevin . One of the cool parts about tonight is that it wasnt only a celebration of history in iowa, but people here also had a chance to hear governor branstad talk about his roughly 21 years in public service. He says a lot of what helped him was the worth ethic he learned when he was growing up on a farm. Most iowans know about his 99county tour every year, but he says that idea goes all the way back to his days when in 6th grade, he was responsible for 120 pregnant lambs having babies. You know this is in be winter time so wed have to get up early in the morning my younger brother and i and find the hues that had lambs get them in a pen with a headlamp before we went to school. I Never Missed School but i was late a lot of times. He said that kind of early life. Branstad also talked about how h h campaigns focus on individually connection with and asking voters to vote for him. In des moines, kevin barry, fox 28 news. Kevin ththks. Remember, you can get plenty of political headlines from across the state, on iowa in focus with kevin barry,watch it this sunday morning at 9 30, right here on fox 28. A lot of rain over theheast two days made eastern iowa quite soggy. So when will the rain chances turn to a more seasonal chance for snow . Snow . Justin roberts joins us now with your weatherfirst hard to believe with temps topping 60 degrees over the weekend that wwre just over a week away from christmas. Christmas. Fox 28 News ReporterMellaney Moore looks into the positives and negatives of our unseasonable warmth warmthin this report from Johnson County county these are the trucks you would usually see on our state highways and interstates, but theyre not out right now, theyre in this garage because we dont have any snow. For the Iowa Department of transportation, thats saving them money, but for others, its not bringing money in. Theyeyay be named forevergreen, but this Business Needs some white too. The white does translate to green for us. It is a year round operation from spring planting to Christmas Trees and then snow removal. Most years we would be snow plowing anywhere between three to five times in november and december owner Lucy Hershberger says she would rather have her 20 snow removal emplplees busy with these trucks. Typically our snow plowing crews will go out or between twelve and fifteen hours with every snowfall and we have between 40 and 50 snowplow if accounts so it really does make a pretty significant Economic Impact on the company. The 20 plows at the iowa dot garage in coralville have been out twice for the large snowfall we had in november. We have to replenish our blades, snow plow b bdes that we have on our trucks and if were not wearing them down, we dont have to spend the money on that kind of thing. When it snows, this garage has employees working 12 hour shifts, covering 1818routes that total 456 miles. So far they have saved on that man power and materials too. Everyday we can get by without having a snow storm is just money in our pocket that we can save the public and use that money for other uses. Hershberger says one snowfall can bring in ten to twenty thousand dollars to forevergreen. So, wiwi an 11 snowfalls, it can make a big difference when when we dont see snow. Dot staff say since they arent out dealing with snow or salting the roads, thats allowed them more time for other projects, like filling potholes. Covering the corridor in coralville, Mellaney Moore, fox28 news heres another Silver Lining to the warm weather. Weather. A two Million Dollar ovovhaul of Greene Square park in cedar rapids is nearing completion. Crews were able to continue working on landscaping during the past several weeks because the weather has stayed so warm. New features include walking ths, seating and wifi. And coming up in sports sportsthe panthers are prepped for the big 4 classic they Northern Iowa is ready for another big upset upsetplus it was an ames high take over at the United Center how Doug Mcdermott led the bulls past the 76ers paris theres a lot to do on a dairy farm. Nobodys gonna do it for you. You have to get out there and do it yourself. Bernie sanders is a wellknown friend of family farms. Bernie cannot be bought out by big money. Bernies opinion cannot be purchased. Its time for our next president to get in there, roll up his sleeves, take off the gloves, and take on wall street, take on big business, take on big money, and get the working class back to whwhe they should be. Hes a rock. Games at richmond, george mason, and new mexico. The u ni men are glad to be back in the state of iowa. But this is no easy homecoming. On saturday. Its off to des moines for the big four classic. Earlier in the season. The panthers toppled the topranked tar heels. And this weekend theyll try to for another upset bid against fifthranked iowa state. Now ben jacobson knows itll be a tough task. But his panthers will be ready to go with the eyes of the state watching. Its gotten to the point where. Not only are you playing against a high quality team. But youve got the atmosphere to go with it now. And obviously a very competitive game. And our guys certainly look forward to both. Playing against a place that should be ld t. It should be a great atmosphere. In other panther news arias austin is leaving the team ben jacobson announced that the juco transfer is transfering because he wants more playing time austin apperared in all 9 games this season averaging 5 point 4 points per game. Good news for iowa state naz long will be back in the lineup for the big 4 classic long sat out yesterday against arkansaspine bluff for some much needed rest remember he underwent offseason surgery on both hips so any extra time for his body to recover will help in the long run and sunday was Perfect Timing now will it happen again . Thats to be determined but right now the main focus is getting long healthy. His body is banged up, hes really not where he wants to be physically right now. It gives him a game. A competitive game he doesnt have to play in. No more wear and tear on the body and it can really kind of get an extra good day of rest for him to get ready for northern thing so we will just continue to get naz healthy. Healthy. The cyclones stayed at number 2 in the latest coaches poll even recieving 3 first place votes but in the ap iowa state dropped one spot to 5th not surprising with sundays performance agianst arkansaspine bluff either way the cyclones stayed perfect and a big part of that has been the play of jameel mckay last week the seniororforward averaged a double double 17 points and 10 rebounds in three games earning him cobig 12 player of the week honors and not to be outdone by his inner state rival Jarrod Uthoff was named the bibi10s coplayer of the week the former jefferson jhawk scored a career high 27 against western illinois on monday and then bested that performance with 32 points against iowa state. It maybe early in the prep hoops season but one thing is for sure, the west branch Girls Basketball team can light up the score board through 5 games the bears are averaging 66 point per game and that hot shooting was on display tonight tonightwest branch hosting fairfield the bears are 6th in 2a the trojans 5th in 4aand fairfield got defensive in the first off the turnover nicole buch lays it up and in for the e ey two the trojans started the game on a 7 to 2 runbut west branch would rally halley mullinix steals the pass and completes the dine and dash on the other end then later in ththquarter tatum koenig dials Long Distance and connects the bears finished the first on a 13 to 2 run west branch stays unbeaten 63 to 41 the final. To t t nba fred hoiberg and the bulls hosting the 76ers from one ames high alum to another Doug Mcdermott deadly from deep chicao trailed by 5 at the breakbut the bulls got it going in the third this time Dougie Mcbuckets stops and pops for two more chicago outscored philly 34 to 12 in the quarterand then in the 4th mcdermott just pads ththstats 3 offensive rebounds and 2 more points he finished with 13 points bulls win 115 to 96. And still to come on fox 28 28big money mike daniels got a huge contact extention from the packers why he says the cash wont change him in the middle announcer a horrific terror attack in paris. Then, a brutal act of terror here at home. Its time for a tested and proven leader who wont try to contain isis. Jeb bush has a plan. To destroy them. And keep america safe. Jeb bush the United States should not delay in leading a Global Coalition to take out isis with overwhelming force. Announcer tested and proven leadership matters. Jeb bush. Right to rise usa is responsible for the contntt of this message. Of october. Northern iowas season looked dead and buried. The panthers werer 2 and 4 but never threw in the towel uni rattled off 7 straight w ws to reach the f cs quarterfinals. And were 3 wins away from bring home a National Championship until the ride came to a halt on saturday when ndsu ened unis season but the end wont be what mark farley remembers about this years panthers itll be defined by two things. But one, the defense. And how well the defense played and kept us alive the whole season. From the beginning of the season to the end of the season. The second thing that came along with that was the maturity as our offense came along. Was aaron bailey. He was the one that stands out there that resembles what happened with our offefee. Coming out of High School Mike daniels was tabbed as a two star recruit after recing havok on iowas defensive line he was told he was too short to play in the nfl now hes one of the highest payed defensive ends in the league the packers signed daniels to a 4 year 42 Million Dollar extension that includes a 12 Million Dollar signing bouns so far this season the former hawkeye hasas41 tackles and 6 sacks. I want to be in green bay. Make sure im still in green bay. I want to win super bowls with this team. This is like home to me. The fact that i signed a contract doesnt change the fact that i got overlooked in high school, doesnt change the fact that i was consistantly called short coming out of the draft. Im ststl pissed. Thats not going to change, thats just how i approach the game, thats how i play. And the awards just keep on coming for desmond king and its another allamerican First Team Honor the latest from the Football Writers Association of america if king finds his way on to the sporting news allamerican list and the american football coaches associations list hell be a consensus all american. Thats a check of sports justin has a last check of your forecast when the fox 28 wake up in your first home. Wake up in a home with a new address. Wake up in a home with no address. Your dream homomevolves, and protecting it takes committed support. Hustle and bustle surrounding holiday preparations, many people simply forget about donating blood. Today, the Mississippi ValleyRegional Blood Center brought its bloodmobile to us here at broadcast park. I rolled up my sleeve today because organizers say a donation of blood is actually a donation of life. For more information on how you can help, head to thanks for watching your fox night. Charlili yeah . I thought we said we were gonna take things slow. We did say that. I guess we cant be trusted. Charlie, talk to me. All right. You know what im gonna do to you, you dirty, filthy girl . No, not like that. Wrong way . Am i a dirty, filthy boy . No, i want to talk about us. Were a dirty, filtlt couple. No, i want to talk about our relationship