Already wild race with the Iowa Caucuses, 4 days from now. Peter alexander has the story. Donald trump. Betting hes bigger than fox news. The republican frontrunner will be in des moines tonight. But not at the final gop debate before iowa, instead, touting a special event at the exact same time benefitting veterans at a College Auditorium just miles away. Late wednesday, trump defended his fox boycott. On fox news. I was not treated well by fox, they came out with this ridiculous Statement Like it was written up by a child. It was a taunt. And i said how much of this do you take . Host bill oreilly all but begged the billionaire to reconsider, appealing to appetite and his christian faith. I bought you so many vanilla milkshakes, you owe me. Forgive, go forward. Answer the questions, look out for the folks. Just want you to consider it. You owe me milkshakes. Trump refusing to back down even though you and i had an agreement that you wouldnt ask me that, which we did, i will its up to fox, its not up to me, bill. Here, in iowa. If gentle donald cannot handle megyn kelly. Rival ted cruz hasnt given up on his manoamano debate duel even naming a time and place. Cruz telling nbcs Hallie Jackson iowans should be offended by trump. But the men and women of iowa deserve to look the candidates in the eye and have us answer questions of whether were, in fact, consistent conservatives or simply saying what is politically expedient to get elected. Across the board trumps challengers piled on Chris Christie calling trumps move a mistake. I think any time you get a podium and a microphone and 15 to 20 Million People watching in an election campaign, you should take it. Jeb bush not buying it, telling reporters ive got a 20 bet he shows up. Rushing to trumps defense rush donald trump knows that by not showing up, hes owning the entire event. Still, long before trump ever attacked moderator megyn kelly. He praised her. This exchange from 2011, discussing a debate trump was trying to host now going viral. Kelly do you really think youre a better moderator than i am . Trump no, i could never beat you. That wouldnt even be close. That would be no contest. Youve done a great job by the way and i mean it. That was Peter Alexander reporting. If trump changes his mind. Even at the last minute. His veterans event is only 8 minutes away at Drake Universitys sheslows auditorium. With trump hosting his own event at drake tonight, it only adds to the unpredictability. A Public Relations and Strategic Political Communications assistant professor at Drake University says this has been an exciting caucus season on campus. She expects tonights debate to look more like a traditional debate. One that will focus more on i havent seen anything like this before and i dont think anyone has. That is what makes this so fun. Playbooks are fine and its great to know you have a system for winning the caucuses. But its really fun for those of us who are watching but not for those of us trying to get the presidency doors open for Donald Trumps eight. The same time the debate gets center. A bit of debate drama on the democratic side, as well. Both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are weighing in. While their race in iowa gets even closer. A new nbc news marist poll shows clinton and sanders virtually tied in iowa. Clinton has 48 percent while sanders has 45 percent, which is within the margin of error. Omalley is in last place with only 3 percent. In New Hampshire, sanders has a 19 point lead over clinton. And with no debates before the primary there, the New Hampshire union leader and msnbc have proposed one more, which is not dnc. Hillary clinton says shell show up if sanders does. Overnight, the Sanders Campaign proposed three more debates in march. Saying quote if the Clinton Campaign will commit to this schedule, we would ask the dnc to arrange a debate in New Hampshire on february 4th. Bernie sanders spoke to High School Students in des moines this morning. Urging them to get involved in the political process. 10 24 3810 25 07 i dont care who your voting for. I hope you look them straight in the eye. Im fighting fot his country. Your dumb. Not me. Sanders spoke to up to and faculty this morning. He talked about the economy, climate change, immigration, health care and the justice system. As for Hillary Clinton she will speak in newton this afternoon at 245. Tomorrow afternoon Martin Omalley stops in council bluffs. Its time now to get a first look at the forecast. Lets head down to Amber Alexander at the science center. The World Health Organization says the zika virus has now spread around the us. The Organization Says it will hold a emergency meeting on the virus on monday. The mosquito Borne Disease has been linked to microcephaly which causes brain damage. Cte has been blamed in the deaths of dozens of former nfl players and now iowas tyler sash is among them. As Justin Surrency reports. His mother is is now questioning the sport their family grew up loving. Our son struggled with something he couldnt put his were left searching for answers after the sudden death of former iowa hawkeye football star tyler sash in september now have a better answer. When you see pictures of your sons brain and someone elses brain and you see the damage its done, theres no turning back. Medical experts diagnosed the 27 year old with cte, a progressive degenerative disease caused by repetitive brain trauma. We had so much fun but now being on the other side of the coin, looking at it i think its a serious discussion parents are going to have to have with their childrentyler suffered from at least 5 concussions in his football career which included time with the new york giants i went to his apartment after the game and he had a full suit on and he was laying in bed and he was shaking so bad that he had his hands up to his head and i thought, is this not a concussion. Experts say the amount of cte they found was more than normal for someone his age, something his mother, barney, attributes to his style of play. My son just played as hard as he could, all the time and i think it got him into trouble. Its led her to question the sport entirely. Of passion for but when it cuts your life short, its not worth it. She hopes his death can lead to awareness i would like it if whats happened to my son could count as a positive change. And maybe help other families and athletes from suffering like her son at first you can ask god why did you take my son, but now i thank him for what longer. Have to die as a result of football. The sash family has been told tyler was the 98th athlete to diagnosed with cte after his death. News at noon. These third graders are learning to prepare for emergencies. Why a pillowcase could be the key to saving lives. Plus. Small communities around the country learn a Big Box Store is leaving town. The problems that there are those who say we cannot defeat a corrupt political system but i believe we need to lift our vision above the obstacles in place and look to the american horizon. To a nation where every child can not only dream of going to college, but attend one. Where quality healthcare will be a birthright of every citizen. Where a good job is not a wish, but a reality. Where women receive equal pay and a living wage is paid to all. An america where after a lifetime of labor, there is time for rest and grandchildren. A nation that defends our people and our values, but no longer carries so much of that burden alone. I know we can create that america if we listen to our hearts. And that journey begins here in iowa. Im Bernie Sanders. I approve this message, and i ask you to join with us at the caucuses on monday night. Thank you. People whove come to rely on their local Walmart Store are going to have to find somewhere else to shop. With very little warning the retail chain walmart is closing more than 150 stores throughout the country sending shockwaves through many communities. Natalie morales has the story. Its devastating for alot of people. Right now, many of the walmarts are the only grocery and pharmacy around in some places, closing the store will leave behind a food desert meaning no supermarket within ten miles. 14 sot Jarrelle Clemons when you dont have the transportation or you dont have the means to get to where you need to get and the pain will be widespread. Walmart is shutting down 154stores in 27states and puerto rico. Creating food deserts in three states. Alabama, arkansas, and kansas. 12 sot 00 04 24 renee smith town n county owner theyre packing up and leaving the town high and dry. For nearly half a century, renee smiths family owned a Small Grocery store in the tiny town of oriental, north carolina. A year and a half ago, walmart came to oriental forcing renee to board up closing, and renee and many of the towns residents are bitter. 13 sot 00 01 17 renee smith town n county owner they knew, when i left, when we went out of business, they were leaving. They had to, its been within three months. Its a similar story in many towns. In ashburn, georgia. In italy, texas where the towns only pharmacy in the walmart is closing today. 08 sot glenda tremblay italy, tx resident why would you go to the expense of building a building and putting a store in then all of a sudden clap. A spokesman for walmart told nbc news, we never want to walk away from the opportunity to serve customers, especially in underserved areas. We share the communities disappointment about this difficult decision. 12 sot connie moore italy, tx resident i dont like it, i dont like it at all Natalie Morales reporting. Walmart says it committed to opening 300 stores in food desert areas and its exceeded that goal. The worst. Car repairs, home improvements, a family trip. Its not easy to afford them. What did marco rubio do . In personal expenses on a Republican Party credit card. Rubios bad judgment caused a scandal and for five years rubio refused to release the credit card records. Marco rubio skipping major votes. All over the place on immigration. Bad judgment. Marco rubio just too many questions. Right to rise usa is responsible for the content of this message. George my familys lived on this farm for three generations. The Bakken Pipeline would pump dirty crude oil across iowa. Stands up against the pipeline is one of the reasons we support him. George Bernie Sanders didnt hesitate to say no to the big oil companies. Patti bernie knows that if we dont act, we threaten the climate and the health of our children. Bernie sanders understands that. Patti Bernie Sanders has the guts to just stand up for what he believes in. Kind of helps you get ready for, if those happen. The lesson these Elementary Students are learning that can save iowa families in emergency situations. And how a pillowcase is involved in this project. There are those who say we cannot defeat a corrupt political system and fix a rigged economy. But i believe we need to lift our vision above the obstacles in place and look to the american horizon. To a nation where every child can not only dream of going to college, but attend one. Where quality healthcare will be a birthright of every citizen. Where a good job is not a wish, but a reality. Where women receive equal pay and a living wage is paid to all. An america where after a lifetime of labor, there is time for rest and grandchildren. A nation that defends our people and our values, i know we can create that america if we listen to our hearts. And that journey begins here in iowa. Im Bernie Sanders. I approve this message, and i ask you to join with us at the caucuses on monday night. Thank you. One of the areas that ive been particularly interested in is the area of children. All of us have a responsibility, to ourselves, to our childldn, to each other. That everybody in this room and every child in this state is somebody. No matter where theyre born, no matter to whom they are born. Our childrens future is shaped both by the values of their parents and the policies of their nation. Its time to protect the next generation, fill the lives of our children with possibility and hope, open up the doors so that every child has a chance to live up to his or her godgiven potential. Ive spent my life fighting for children, families and our country, and im not stopping now. crowd cheers im Hillary Clinton, and i have always approved this message. Its an important lesson for Elementary Students teachers you never know when disaster will strike. And, one project aims at making sure Young Students play an Important Role in preparing their families. 22 11 whats something that could happen. These third graders at beaver creek elementary in johnston 24 18 get out, stay out, call 911. Pay attention to what morgan halupnick has to say. 22 03 go ahead, right here. But, she isnt their teacher. Morgan 17 19 i get to talk a little bit about fire safety and the importance of always being prepared for that because that is something that can always happen in the home. Halupnick is a Nursing Student at Mercy College of health sciences. The school teamed up with the American Red Cross to present the pillowcase project to about two thousand students, mostly in the Johnston School district. Dawn 16 30 i think its going to save lives. Weve heard a lot about fires in the des moines area, and what a better and how can you be prepared to have the best possible outcome. 23 05 fires can spread very quickly, so its important to get out quickly because every second counts. The 42 Nursing Students talk about what to do in case of any emergency. 20 10 so now, were going to take a deep breath in. They go over coping techniques, so kids can stay calm during a disaster. 29 29 alright, so a couple things we would need in an emergency. And, they show students what to put in a pillowcase to prepare for a problem. Dawn 14 24 in the pillowcase you put those things that help them reduce stress, maybe a favorite toy. We talk about the importance of water, non perishable foods. We talk about having a flashlight and a radio. Megan standup 38 12 each student will get one of these pillowcases. Theyll decorate it on their own, and put their special items inside and teach the message to their family. Chrissy 33 21 were aiming it toward children 8 to 11 that are most likely going to go home and talk to their families and siblings about these preparedness ideas. Its something these third graders ready to do. Cameron 36 55 well have safe spots, well know what to do. Well just be safer all around, and i think thats a good thing. As they prepare for an emergency they hope never happens. Disney sponsors the pillowcase project. The American Red Cross wants to present it to five thousand students in iowa this year. Well be right back with another look at our top stories. President ial hopefuls are one of the areas that ive been particularly interested in is the area of children. We intend to be sure that everybody in this room and every child in this state is somebody. No matter where theyre born, no matter to whom they are born. I want to make sure that every child has a chance to live up to his or her godgiven potential. Ive spent my life fighting for children, and im not stopping now. Im Hillary Clinton, heres the truth some have proposed to cut Social Security for the elderly and disabled vets. I disagree. In fact, not only should we not cut benefits we should expand them. My plan for Social Security increases benefits and cost of living adjustments and raises minimum payments for lowincome seniors. It will ensure that all seniors can retire with dignity and respect. Voters they are their best choice next week. Coming up. We go to drakes dinner to test peoples knowledge on each president ial hopeful. Teases are done debate drama democratic president ial candidates say they want more debates after the Iowa Caucuses next week. How many. And who is currently leading in the latest poll. Gop showdown. With or without donald trump. Republican president ial candidates will take the stage tonight one last time. Where trump will be instead. Good afternoon, thanks for joining us. Im megan reuther. With the donald trumpless republican president ial debate, just hours away. The donald still leads the gop pack in the latest nbc news wall street journal marist poll. Trump holds the lead with 32 percent. Ted cruz follows with 25 percent. Marco rubio is in percent. Doctor ben carson is in the Single Digits with 8 percent. And jeb bush has only 4 percent. And last night fox news bill oreilley tried to convince trump to drop the boycott. To attend tonights gop debate. But so far, trump isnt budging. Its all adding a new wrinkle to an already wild race with the Iowa Caucuses, 4 days from now. Peter alexander has the story. Donald trump. Betting hes bigger than fox news. The republican frontrunner will be in des moines tonight. But not at the final gop debate before iowa, instead, touting a special event at the exact same time benefitting veterans at a College Auditorium just miles away. Late wednesday, trump defended his fox boycott. On fox news. I was not treated well by fox, they came out with this ridiculous Statement Like it was written up by a child. It was a taunt. And i said how much of this do you take . Host bill oreilly all but begged the billionaire to reconsider, i bought you so many vanilla milkshakes, you owe me. Forgive, go forward. Answer the questions, look out for the folks. Just want you to consider it. You owe me milkshakes. Trump refusing to back down even though you and i had an agreement that you wouldnt ask me that, which we did, i will therefore forget that you asked me that, but its up to fox, its not up to me, bill. Here, in iowa. If gentle donald cannot hand megyn kelly. Rival ted cruz hasnt given up on his manoamano debate duel even naming a time and place. Cruz telling nbcs Hallie Jackson iowans should be offended by trump. But the men and women of iowa deserve to look the candidates in the eye and have us answer questions of whether were, in fact, consistent conservatives or simply saying elected. Across the board trumps challengers piled on Chris Christie calling trumps move a mistake. I think any time you get a podium and a microphone and 15 to 20 Million People watching in an election campaign, you should take it. Jeb bush not buying it, telling reporters ive got a 20 bet he shows up. Rushing to trumps defense rush limbaugh. Donald trump knows that by not showing up, hes owning the entire event. Still, long before trump ever attacked moderator megyn kelly. He praised her. This exchange from 2011, discussing a debate trump was trying to host now going viral. Kelly do you really think youre a better moderator than i am . Trump no, i could never beat you. That wouldnt even be close. That would be no contest. Youve done a great job by the way and i mean it. That was Peter Alexander reporting. If trump changes his mind. Even at the last minute. His veterans event is only 8 minutes away at Drake Universitys sheslows auditorium. With trump hosting his own event unpredictability. A Public Relations and Strategic Political Communications assistant professor at Drake University says this has been an exciting caucus season on campus. She expects tonights debate to look more like a traditional debate. One that will focus more on policy than personalities. I havent seen anything like this before and i dont think anyone has. That is what makes this so fun. Playbooks are fine and its great to know you have a system for winning the caucuses. But its really fun for those of us who are watching but not for those of us trying to get the presidency doors open for Donald Trumps event at five. He speaks at eight. The doors open for Donald Trumps event at five. He speaks at eight. The same time the debate gets underway at the iowa events center. A bit of debate drama on the democratic side, as well. Both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are weighing in. While their race in iowa gets even closer. A new nbc news marist poll shows clinton and sanders virtually tied in iowa. Clinton has 48 percent sanders has 45 percent, which is within the margin of error. Omalley is in last place with only 3 percent. In New Hampshire, sanders has a 19 point lead over clinton. And with no debates before the primary there, the New Hampshire union leader and msnbc have proposed one more, which is not sanctioned by the dnc. Hillary clinton says shell show up if sanders does. Overnight, the Sanders Campaign proposed three more debates in march. Saying quote if the Clinton Campaign will commit to this schedule, we would ask the dnc to arrange a debate in New Hampshire on february 4th. Bernie sanders spoke to High School Students in des moines this morning. Urging them to get involved in the political process. 10 24 3810 25 07 i dont care who your voting for. I hope you look them straight in the eye. Im fighting fot his country. Your sanders spoke to up to 18hundred roosevelt High School Students and faculty this morning. He talked about the economy, climate change, immigration, health care and the justice system. As for Hillary Clinton she will speak in newton this afternoon at 245. Tomorrow afternoon Martin Omalley stops in council bluffs. Its time now to get a first look at the forecast. Lets head down to Amber Alexander at the science center. Ad lib wx quick cte has been blamed in the deaths of dozens of former them. As Justin Surrency reports. His mother is is now questioning the sport their family grew up loving. Our son struggled with something he couldnt put his finger onmany who were left searching for answers after the sudden death of former iowa hawkeye football star tyler sash in september now have a better answer. When you see pictures of your sons brain and someone elses brain and you see the damage its done, theres no turning back. Medical experts diagnosed the 27 year old with cte, a progressive degenerative disease caused by repetitive brain trauma. We had so much fun but now being on the other side of the coin, looking at it i think its a serious discussion parents are going to have to have with their childrentyler suffered from at least 5 concussions in his football career which included time with the new york giants i went to his apartment after the game and he had a full suit on and he was laying in bed and he was and i thought, is this not a concussion. Experts say the amount of cte they found was more than normal for someone his age, something his mother, barney, attributes to his style of play. My son just played as hard as he could, all the time and i think it got him into trouble. Its led her to question the sport entirely. Football isnt life, its a game that we love and have a lot of passion for but when it cuts your life short, its not worth it. She hopes his death can lead to awareness i would like it if whats happened to my son could count as a positive change. And maybe help other families and athletes from suffering like her son at first you can ask god why did you take my son, but now i thank him for what he did so he didnt suffer longer. Id hate for other young men to the sash family has been told tyler was the 98th athlete to have have been diagnosed with cte after his death. Some iowans were tested on president ial candidates this week on drakes campus. Coming up. What questions were they asked. And if iowans really knew their candidates before february first. Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmmhmm theyve all come to look for america all come to look for america im Bernie Sanders, and i approve this message. One of the areas that ive been particularly interested in is the area of children. That everybody in this room and every child in this state is somebody. No matter where theyre born, no matter to whom they are born. I want to make sure that every child has a chance to live up to his or her godgiven potential. Ive spent my life fighting for children, and im not stopping now. Im Hillary Clinton, and i have always approved this message. Car repairs, home improvements, a family trip. What did marco rubio do . He put 22,000 in personal expenses on a Republican Party credit card. Rubios bad judgment caused a scandal and for five years rubio refused to release the credit card records. Marco rubio skipping major votes. All over the place on immigration. Bad judgment. Marco rubio just too many questions. Right to rise usa is responsible for the the president ial candidates have been flooding the airwaves of iowa with ads, leading up to mondays caucuses. Theyre spending millions. But are they getting their moneys worth . Randi kaye went to drakes dinner to test iowans knowledge on president ial candidates to find out. Drake diner, in the heart of des moines, iowa, served as our test kitchen. A tablet loaded with photos of all the president ial candidatesto test iowans knowledge. Some were certainly more recognizable rk whos that . Hillary clinton. Rk whos that guy . Woman jeb bush rk wheres he from . Woman ahhhhh, florida rk does he have any Famous Family members . Woman yes two president s hahaha. Woman Bernie Sanders rk is he republican or democrat . Woman democrat. This guy. Everyone knew rk whos that . Woman donald trump rk do you know anything about him . Woman too much ohhh. Rk everybody reacts like that. Nb thats the donald rk do you know anything else about him . Nb we know everything about him. Rk do you know anything that he stands for . He wants to build a big wall. Impressed . Not so fast. Beyond that, lets just say it wasnt pretty look what happened when i showed these guys a picture of marco rubio rk can you guess . Man im thinkin thats ted cruz. Rk oh guys, come on really man really, its an attempt rk how bout i give you the initials . Man that would help. Rk mr man oh thats marco rubio i gave them another chance with Rick Santorum. Rk whos this . Man im going to withhold my answer to start out with. Rk ok that means he doesnt know, do you know . Man i dont know. I have no idea. Rk hes a president ial candidate, do you guys want to phone a friend, you want some help . Man how bout some initials again . Rk rs. Man is that Rick Santorum . Rk that is. Do you have any idea what state hes from . Man nope. Rick santorum was a challenge for her too rk lets see if you know who this is. Yeah i do but i dont know if i can confirm. Santorum. Rk is she telling you names over here . Nb i told her to. The candidate that seemed to stump our group the most was republican john kasich rk whos that . Woman is that that kasich guy . Rk is that that kasich guy . Allright, you have some points there. You definitely got some points there. Did you know that . Whod you think it was . Woman i had no idea woman hes one of the republican candidates of the many, i have no idea. Rk so hes not a hollywood actor . Hes definitely a republican candidate . You sure . Woman i think so. Rk you think so . Haha. Rk so you have no idea what his name is . Woman no idea. Democrat Martin Omalley was tough for many too rk do you know anything about this guy . Woman is it rand paul . Woman no thats not rand paul, is it . Woman omalley rk omalley there you go do you know where hes from . Woman no. Rk did he ever hold Political Office before do you know . Woman wasnt he a senator . I and this slip up . Priceless rk whos this . Ts thats jeb. Rk ok. Jh uhhh. Rk he just said it jh ok, he just said it . Well okay, i was gonna guess Chris Christie. Rk thats jeb bush jh thats jeb bush . Well theyre easily forgotten in my book. Suggested tag a final tally all of the voters knew Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. One had never even heard of carly fiorina, another didnt know her first name. And rand paul was often mistaken for his father, senator ron paul. Lets hope they study up before caucus night. The Iowa Pork Congress is on its last day. But they may be looking at future heres the truth some have proposed to cut Social Security for the elderly and disabled vets. I disagree. In fact, not only should we not cut benefits we should expand them. My plan for Social Security increases benefits and cost of living adjustments and raises minimum payments for lowincome seniors. It will ensure that all seniors can retire with dignity and respect. Geiger. The 44th annual Iowa Pork Congress is on its last day in des moines. And earlier this week. They hosted a meeting. Which looked at voting on a resolution that checked out other venues for the congress to move to in the future. The reasoning was because of a pending Water Quality lawsuit from the Des Moines Water Works. Leaving des moines would be a show of disapproval. However, because of a confusion of whether the city or water works board is in control of the lawsuit. There was an amendment that asked the pork board to investigate changing the venue. A committee would be set up to look at moving. But. Theres a catch. Some worry that theres no other place in iowa that has the facilities and size of the Convention Center in hyvee set up for years. Well i dont know that people want to move, i think the impetus behind it was the fact that people were upset, farmers were upset, pork producers, cattlemen, corn producers, soybean producers all are upset by the fact that the Des Moines Water Works is suing farmers over over this Water Quality issue. We dont think thats the way to make progress. Cattle are plagued by a very volatile market. Some arent even going to guess on it. While the grains are coming down from a brief rally. Off of those long term moving averages. Off of those long term moving averages. Benefits from recent cuba trade announcements. The Obama Administration announced a loosening of regulations designed to expand travel and commerce with cuba. But that doesnt do much for ag. While it lifts restrictions on exports. There are no inclusions of food or agriculture exports. Thats because financing food and ag products is prohibited by the trade sanctions reform and export enhancement act of 2000. Some ag exports are allowed under exemptions. But those fell about 37 percent in 2015. Mainly because of falling commodity prices. Show today. Thanks for joinin hmm hmm hmm hmm hmmhmm all come to look for america all come to look for america one of the areas that ive been particularly interested in is the area of children. All of us have a responsibility, to ourselves, to our children, to each other. We intend to be sure that everybody in this room and every child in this state is somebody. No matter where theyre born, no matter to whom they are born. Our childrens future is shaped both by the values of their parents and the policies of their nation. Its time to protect the next generation, fill the lives of our children with possibility and hope, open up the doors so that every child has a chance to live up to his or her godgiven potential. Ive spent my life fighting for children, families and our country, and im not stopping now. crowd cheers im Hillary Clinton, hmm hmm hmm hmm hmmhmm theyve all come to look for america all come to look for america all come to look for america