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Floodwater from the Missouri River has forced officials to close a portion of Interstate 29 in western Iowa.
The Iowa Transportation Department said Friday the 10-mile stretch extends north from the Crescent exit to the Missouri Valley area. A detour is in operation. Several I-29 interchange ramps are closed in southwest Iowa as well.
The river continues to rise and flood mostly rural land in Nebraska and Iowa and is expected to crest Saturday near Omaha.
National Democrats have given conditional approval to a new plan by Iowa Democrats to hold satellite caucuses in addition to traditional precinct caucuses on February 3rd, 2020.
This comes two weeks after the Democratic National Committee rejected the state party’s plan to allow people to participate through a teleconference system citing cybersecurity concerns. These plans have been efforts to satisfy the DNC’s new rules requiring caucus states to allow for absentee participation in 2020.
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price says Iowans can submit applications for satellite locations by November 18th.
Satellite caucuses allow us to bring democracy closer to those who cannot attend our precinct caucuses. They will expand participation in our process. Satellite caucuses can help shift workers, people in nursing homes or retirement communities. People in group homes, students and those who live outside of Iowa, including military personnel.
Price says he doesn’t want satellite caucuses to “cannibalize” traditional caucuses, but they might help with overcrowding issues in some areas.
