be on the same stage in des moines. moines.that's where we find cbs 2 news anchor kevin barry who's been in the capitol city since last night. night.he joins us now live with a preview of tonight's main event.kevin? kevin?true to form - were at another big milestone in the 2016 race - and we're all talking about donald trump again -- and chances are, he won't even be on the stage tonight tonightwe told you earlier this week that late tuesday - the trump campaign announced they'd be skipping this debate after disagreements with fox over how the republican front runner was treated at the first fox debate. a lot of those concerns had to do specifically with megyn kelley - the fox news host who is one of the moderators that trump says was especially unfair to

said that trump is welcome to join the debate tonight - but we've heard about plans from the trump campaign about a separate event - potentially at the same time - that would raise money to help veterans. live in des moines kevin barry, cbs 2 news. news.thanks, kevin. cbs 2 wants to know what you think of trump's decision. will it hurt him in the caucus on monday?we've posted the question onto our twitter page where you can give your answer. we have results after the poll closes tonight at seven. *** lawmakers clapping*** clapping***presidential candidate ben carson got a

from iowa house lawmakers. carson sat alongside representative rob taylor of west des moines, who is the co-chair of carson's iowa campaign.while the republican did not make comments in the chamber, he did meet privately with lawmakers afterwards. carson is one of seven candidates who will be in des moines. in the democratic race - former president bill clinton will be back in the corridor today, campaigning for his wife.you remember, president clinton spoke in cedar rapids just a few weeks ago.he will be at cornell college at two this afternoon and also is speaking at washington high school at around four-thirty. we're closing in on the weekend. weekend.cbs 2 meteorologist rebecca kopelman checks in now with your cbs 2 'weather first' forecast.

a few high clouds in the sky right now with temperatures above freezing across all of eastern iowa. a system is passing to our north and east, a few out our far eastern counties could have some snow flurries or areas of drizzle, otherwise mostly dry this afternoon. winds are coming out of the northwest near 15 to 20 miles per hour and there could be gusts near 25 so there is a bit of a wind chill out ther ein the 20s. regardless, temperatures will be increasing to near 40 this afternoon.

the affluenza teen, ethan couch - is now back in his home state of texas after being extradited from mexico. mexico.mexico's national institute of migration says couch left for dallas from a mexico city airport this morning. morning.it's expected he will face charges now that he's back in the u-s.the 18-year- old and his mother ran away to mexico last month after video surfaced showing couch violating his probation.couch was convicted of killing four people in a drunk driving crash in 20-13.he avoided jail time though when a judge ruled he was too rich and spoiled to realize the consequences of his actions. a startling new report now says human trafficking cases in iowa went up in 20-15. 15.according to data from the national human trafficking resource center - there were 36-cases of human trafficking last year.that's 12-more than there were in 20-14.of the 36

sex trafficking, while three were cases of labor trafficking.since 2007 - there have been 125-instances of human trafficking in iowa. a waterloo man is now facing life in prison. prison.martez smith has been found guilty of first degree murder in the stabbing death of "marq" norman.the slaying happened in november 20-14 outside of the home smith shared with norman's sister. prosecutors say smith stabbed norman who intervened after smith pushed his sister.a sentencing will take place at a later date. a federal lawsuit now accuses two dubuque police officers of using pepper-spray without cause.the dubuque telegraph herald reports the plaintiffs claim the officers used excessive force when they sprayed a pregnant woman and several children while responding to an incident in august.they also contend the officer unlawfully arrested two children.right now - the dubuque police department is

the u-of-i will now be paying more than 200-thousand dollars to settle a gender discrimination lawsuit, filed by a former track coach. coach.mike scott, was already working as a volunteer assistant, when he applied for an open assistant coaching position. position.scott says he was warned by another coach that administrators wanted to hire a female coach.under the agreement the university does not have to admit to the discrimination. the hashtag 'barbie' istrending on twitter right now, since mattel revealed the new curvy, tall and petite barbies. barbies.cbs two news reporter stephanie johnson is here to tell us what the company hopes this doll will achieve. achieve.karen, in addition to releasing barbie in different sizes the doll will also come in seven different skin tones, twenty-two different eye colors and various hairstyles. hairstyles.the company has worked to create this 'new barbie' for two years.they called it 'project dawn'.for a long time, people criticized the company for barbie's

the company believes this new line of barbies is a better reflection of the world around us.the editor in chief of toys, toys, pets and more, jim silver, says this is a good change. there were many people who were turned away from barbie because they wanted dolls that more resemble themselve. more in terms of their body type. more in terms of their skin tone. tone.the new barbie is available on their website today. and dolls will be on store shelves march first. so do you think this new barbie will create a better self image for young girls? share your thoughts with us on our facebook page. stephanie johnson...cbs 2 news. the hawkeye state is now the 14th best when it comes to happiness. happiness.that's according to gallup-healthways annual well- being index, which placed iowa two spots higher than it did last year.the poll looks into areas like physical health and financial security - where iowa placed fifth.however the survey also says the state has some work to do when it comes

obesity and last for eating fruits and veggies. right now - the iowa men's basketball team is on the east coast, preparing for their game tonight against maryland. maryland.the hawkeyes have won nine games in a row and are the only team undefeated in big ten conference play.their number three ranking in the latest associated press poll is their highest since 19-87. the hawkeyes and terripins tip-off at six tonight on e-s- p-n. coming up on the cbs 2 news at noon - why some major changes are on the horizon for one of our country's natural wonders the january thaw continues for the next five days with

above average. now, above the famous waters of niagra

just a trickle.don champion explains why new york officials are considering temporarily diverting water wonder. (sot wed0439 12/23/15 :46) nat falls (-:48)to some, the thought of niagara falls going from this...(ap dry image) ... to this is unimaginable, but new york officials say it's very necessary.(sot thu0033 mark thomas/nys parks district director :04) "so much talk over the last forty-eight hours has been about the dewatering. that's not the end that's a means" (-:10)(thu0033 :15) state parks officials are considering diverting water from the falls, temporarily, for a bridge replacement project.(thu0033 :20) plans involve replacing two crumbling 115-year-old pedestrian bridges near the brink of the falls.(sot thu0033 stacey adams/frequent falls visitor :21) "i'm glad that they're doing something because what they've had there temporary since 2004 looks horrible" (-:27)the project could mean water will be diverted for up to nine months. (ap dry image) the spectacle happened once before, in 1969 when the army corps of erosion at the falls. (sot mon0294 kalie pries/visitor :45) "it's kind of sad because people won't be able to see

mon0294 sharon chamberlin/visi tor 1:17) "this is such a beautiful area, it's one of the wonders of the world, and finally they're putting our money back into this place"(-:24)the replacement project could cost 24 million dollars.so far funding hasn't been secured.don champion, cbs news. still ahead on the cbs 2 news at noon - a new casting choice is causing some controversy. the actor selected to play michael jackson in an up-coming british comedy.

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

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. i'm bernie sanders. i approve this message, and i ask you to join with us at the caucuses on monday night.

cbs 2 news continues to track developments out of oregon where members of an armed militia remain at a wild-life refuge, at least five members are still on the federal land they took over four weeks ago.they say they're willing to stay there until the government drops a warrant against one of them.overnight - three more members of that group were taken into custody.on tuesday their leader and several other members were arrested after a shoot-out with police that killed their spokesman. there are more concerns about the zika virus this afternoon. afternoon.the world health organization now says the disease is 'spreading explosively" with up to four-million cases expected in the americas. over the next

will hold an emergency meeting to discuss wether the outbreak should be declared an international health emergency, the zika virus is mosquito bourne, and has been linked to birth defects and neurological problems. at the nation's capitol... capitol...president obama is signing a memorandum today to create a white house task force that will tackle curing cancer.the panel will be led by vice president joe biden, who lost his son beau to cancer last summer.vice president biden has said he plans to seek out both private and public resources to fight cancer.the panel is expected to meet for the first time on monday. there's now controversy over the casting of an actor to play michael jackson in an up-coming british comedy. comedy.joseph fiennes, is caucasian, has been cast to play the legendary entertainer - who was african american.the comedy centers around an apparent real-life tale about

stars elizabeth taylor and marlon brando in 2001.jackson, who died 7 years ago, had a well-documented medical condition that lightened his skin. 30 years ago today, a tragedy played out on live television. television.nasa will pay tribute to the 7 crew members of the challenger who died that day.just 73 seconds after the launch, a booster engine failed and caused the shuttle to break apart. apart.on their website, nasa has a special page dedicated to remembering the challenger crew, as well as the crew of apollo 1 and columbia shuttles, who were also killed in separate missions.head to our website at cbs 2-iowa-dot- com for a link to this page. coming up on the cbs 2 news at noon - find out more reasons why you want to start saving for retirement now instead of

it's time for to it's time for to your finances. every week our friends from tryon investments join us to answer your questions on money. today we are talking about why it's so important to save early and the benefits of compound interest.mike tryon is here with me, welcome mike. q) first, let's talk about

hmm hmm hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm-hmm let us be lovers, we'll marry our fortunes together [ cheering ] i've got some real estate here in my bag counting the cars on the new jersey turnpike they've all come to look for america [ cheers and applause ] all come to look for america all come to look for america