and as chris larimer said, advertisement will become big in the next coming weeks. so far, the two biggest spenders are jeb bush and marco rubio. the two presidential hopefuls have spent a combined $91 million from their respective campaigns and outside backers. by comparison, the two republican frontrunners, donald trump and ted cruz, have spent just over $8 million combined. on the democratic side, bernie sanders has now surpassed rival hillary clinton in campaign spending. sanders has spent 12 point eight million to hillary's 11 point six million via funds from their campaigns and other supporters. announced he will be meeting with iowa families that are impacted by the possible medicaid privatization. his meeting will take place tomorrow in iowa city. loebsack is helping lead the federal effort in delaying the privatization to ensure it is undertaken in a thoughtful manner. some house lawmakers approved a bill that would reinforce iowa gun owners' access to weapons during times of emergency in the state. a divided three- member panel from the house judiciary com

chris larimer chris larimer is an associate professor of political science at the university of northern iowa and is past president of the iowa association of political scientists. he is the co-author of the public policy theory primer, the public administration theory primer, 2nd edition, and has authored or co- authored several articles that have appeared in political science journals. chris serves as the political analyst and is a regular guest on iowa public radio. his research includes understanding the psychology of voting, as well as the impact of gender on group decision making. in the latest cnn/orc poll, 6 in 10 likely democratic caucus- goers named hillary clinton as the candidate with "the best chance of winning in the general election in november," a 22 point lead over her rival, senator bernie sanders. yet, in terms of overall preference, clinton trails sanders by 8 percentage points, 51 to 43 percent. clearly some poll respondents are putting policy above electability, but policy victory is only possible with electoral victory. respondents as most important in deciding how

chris larimer- "i had one person describe it as a circus accurate for the way it's been, bit." larimer says you can expect even the coming weeks. he says for many candidates, iowa is a do or die state.. continuing coverage -- police still have no leads after an iowa state university student was killed in a hit- and-run. the victim, emmalee jacobs was killed last month. officers say they've gotten nearly 60 tips but almost a month later, authorities are left with little information. they're hoping new leads come in during the new semester 'it makes it difficult when we dont have an eyewitness, we dont have a vehicle description' if you have any information about the case.. the vehicle or the driver involved.. call ames police or have that info on our website kwwl dot com. an iowa man is convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon and crack cocaine with the distribute. 32-year-old marchello rembert, of waterloo, found guilty by a jury in federal court in cedar rapids. of last year and found 15 bags of crack cocaine in his front pocket. a loaded pistol was also found in his girlfr

we spoke with kwwl political analyst chris larimer about what with less than 2 weeks until the "our next president of the "this just might be the kid of lin: "liien, i love sarah palin. support of his own. he's being sanders is itching for a general satisfaction to run against in iowa today. ted cruz and marco potts, nbc news, washington. we spoke with kwwl political td cruz and arco rubio wwll be here for a senate vote on whether to allow syrian refugees into the u-s. tracie potts, nbc news, washington. we spoke with kwwl political analyst chris larimer about what all this could mean going into the febraury first caucus -- his reaction is coming up in our next half hour. the nation's largest health insurer expects to lose nearly a illion dollars over two years... and it's blaming obamacare. united health says it lost close to half-a-billion last year, and expects to lose even more this year. the company is blaming higher than expected claims from enrollees in obamacare exchange programs. united health says it's considering dropping out of all obamacare exchanges in 20-17. the world is f

chris larimer / political analyst :12"we know that for the most part, that political behavior is habitual. if you do it once, you're more likely to do it again, including voting or going to a campaign rally. so, if a celebrity gets a student out to an event, that's great, because they're more informed about the political process." hillary clinton is already using star power to wow iowans... she invited pop star demi lovato to her appearance in iowa city yesterday... next week she brings a list of other celebrities on board including jamie lee curtis. a des moines film festival is bringing in a bit of hollywood as well this morning... the "define american film festival" kicked off last night... it featured oscar- nominated film producer chris weitz. all of the festival's films explore immigrant issues... the organizer -- who is an undocumented immigrant -- says very partisan and political issue through film. "really hard to think of another issue as politicized and as partisan as immigration. i've been here in des moines now for a few days and it's been fascinating just watching the televi

chris larimer- "i had one accurate for the way it's been, bit." and while many of the candidates are in iowa already -- he says to expect even more2visits as we get closer to vice president joe biden decided can't stop thinking about. "sure, i regret it every day but it was the right decision for my family and for me and i plan on aying deeply involved, and we've got two good candidates. there's no word on whether the vice president plans to campaign for a certain democrat before there's a clear nominee. former new mexico governor gary johnson announces he will run for president as a libertarian. hehewas the libertarian papaty's 20-12 presidential nominee. johnson says america's debt is the biggest issue facing the country. hecalls himself a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. a health uppate from a rmer iowa congressman. tom latham announcing he's been diagnosed with lymphoma. in a facebook post, latham said he's working with a team of doctors and they have a treatmenen plan in place. he plans to be back to full speed soon and says he's nev

closerlook at what this means from our political analyst chris larimer. we've got you covered live from the newsroom . . . jessica kwwl news. senator ted cruz responds to branstad's comments -- suggesting governor branstad is "part of the washington cartel." it is no surptise the establihment is in full panic rtel was goingngo panic more and more... a reporter asked cruz what he thought of iowa's corn farmers, those who benefit from ethanol and the renewablfuel standard -- cruz said he thinks corn farmers are wonderffl people who are frustrated with career politicians. doctor ben carson is canceling his events today and tomorrow - after camapaign workers are injured in a crash in western iowa. a van carrying three campaign voluntnters and a staffer slid on flipped on it's side and was hit by another car in atlantic iowa earlier today. three were taken to a local hospital, and another was taken to the trauma center at an omaha hospital. donald trump makes is getting a "major" endorsement on the iowa state campus today... sarah palin is endorsing donald tru

going into the caucus -- you can check out kwwl political analyst chris larimer's latest blog on kwwl dot com. he shares a few of his expecations going into monday night. you can find it by visiting our website -- and then clicking on blogs. coming up on kwwl you're an undecided voter -- we've got the solution for you. at the storm track seven live got you covered, with macleod this is the kwwl the american people can't afford to wait for ideas that sound good on paper... but will never make it in the real world. the grandmother who has to choose between paying for medicine and paying rent... the single mom who desperately needs a raise... can't wait. the student with a mountain of debt can't wait. we can make real progress, right now. i'm caucusing... i'm caucusing... i'm caucusing for hillary clinton. i'm hillary clinton and i approve this message. 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 on

univeristy of northern iowa political science professor -- chris larimer -- says it's smart campaigning practice. part, that political behavior is habitual. if you do it once, celebrity gets a student out to an event, that's great, because they're more informed about the political process." larimer says most undecided iowa minute. and - - he adds iowwcaucus goerss like to meet the candidates -- before casting their ballots. so -- candiates will be more visible now -- than ever before. we've got you covered -- macleod hagemann-- kwwl news. as a reminder -- the iowa caucus kicks off monday february first. it felt like a heat wave today - but there could be some overnight snow.. let's go to storm track seven from the kwwl stormtrack 7 weather team. see the screen for your complete weather information. here is additional forecast light snow showers or flurries willfall overnight. iiyou are travavling tonight, use caution if come upon any friday afternoon and remain clear friday night. patchy fog is possible late friday night and mght be pretty thick early weekend. light snow is forecast to

thanks lauren,speaking of chris larimer..he is blogging about all the latest politics in iowa . you can see all his posts by visiting kwwl-dot-com tonight, justtbefore midniggt, is e deadline for iowans to the iowa democratic party is hosting the first ever tele-caucuses this year on february first... for members of the military or those living outside of iowa to participate in the first in the information about how to register is on our website, kwwl dot com. the nation's oldest mosque, located in eastern iowa, is extending an invitation for a candidate. the mother mosque of america in cedararrapids is inviviing republican candidate donald trump to stop buy, this according to time magazine. the invitation comes after trump's first campaign ad is released - which says trump thinks the u.s. should stop slims from entering the country. the 42nd president of the u-s will beein eastern iowa... cammaigning for hillary clinton. president bill clinton will be campaigning for his wife hillary at two events in eastern iowa tomorrow. clinton kicks it off at the national rapids shootly bef

jessica hartman kwwl's political analyst chris larimer saying branstad's comments will likely effect voters who are still undecided at this point. voters who strongly support cruz - are usually not supporters of branstad and vise versa. democratic candidate hillary clinton also getting an endorsement today --from the nation's biggest l-g-b-t organization... the human right's camapign announcing their endorsement of hillary on their website today saying quote "her fight is ourr right." clinton is expected to accept police arrest a man with a fake gun after a local bank robbery. a witness telling authorities someone with a gun was robbing the u.s. william sttin iowa city. police later found the suspect, clifton brinkmeyer, and a fake, plastic gun. he was taken into custody and charged with second degree robbery. two children are killed after getting stuck inside a house fire. it happened late last night n wisconsin -- just across the iowa border. the crawford county sheriffs office says two killed were sisters, 12-year old lena old trinity bartles. neighbors say someone drrving by noti

kwwl political analyst chris larimer sizes up the two the field in iowa. "i'd be very surprised if either one goes on to be the nominee." "that third ticket out of iowa could be the golden ticket." which has happened before. "winning the iowa caucus is a plus in the system, but it's not a guarantee of anything." what it can do is build - or kill 140,000. "but if that gets over 150, 160,000, then that's to the the nation, the caucuses have the front seat, but anyone who questions the legitimacy of the iowa caucuses -- consider this: in 1980,,george bush surprised him to become vice president under reagan. and eventually president. without his first place finish in 1980 in iowa, it's possible there would've been no bush dynasty. and also no barack obama in the the illinois senator won iowa in 2008 - with a record turnout - and kept on rolling. "it's an interesting evening and there will be surprises." but from who, what. or even where? it's almost time to piece together the puzzle iowans create every four years. we've got you covered, jerry gallagher kwwl ne

would be a but the only poll that counts is the one they take on caucus kwwl political analyst chris larimer says it shouldn't be surprising that branstad and cruz stand on differeet sides of "it has the potiential to affect really banking on, at this point, probably a first place finish in iowa to give him momentum toward going into new hampshire the following week." larimer says this could affect voters who are still undecided at this point. senator cruz had this tosay about the governor's comments. it is no surprise the mode. we said from the beginning that the washington cartel was going to panic more and more... a reporter asked cruz what he thought of iowa's corn growers -- and the r-f-s. cruz said he thinks corn growers are wonderful people who now to the democrats -- and new information about hillary clinton's emais. an inspector general says some of her e-mails had information classified top secret -- special access program. that would include some of the most closely held u-s intelligence information. she's been under fire for using a privvte email server as secretary of state. but

at a renewable fuels conference near des moines today - - is something kwwl's political analyst chris larimer sayss is out o o character for branstad. surprising that branstad and cruz stand on different sides of the renewable fuels standard. branstad a clear supporter of the r- f-s pointing to cruz's attempt to immediately end the 2013. recently says he is in favor of an equal playing field for all energy sources and supports a 5- year phase out of the r-f-s. something branstad says would be quote - very damaging to iowa "i believe that it would be a big mistake for iowa to support him. i know he is ahead in the polls, but the only poll that counts is the one tey take on caucus night and i thinkkit could change between now and then." with less than 2 weeks to that all important poll - does this hurt cruz's campaign enough to cost him the vote? how he finhes in iowa, wich could effect how he does in finish in iowa to gii him momentum toward going into new hampshire the following week." larimer says this will likely effect voters who are still undecided at this point. voters who strongly suppo

but it will stick out as a year analyst chris larimer... "i had one person describe it as it's been, you know a ferris wheel, unpredictable i think it's been all those things. chaotic a bit." but now candidates are getting serious. caucus day is quickly approaching here in iowa. "there are a number of candacyies that are absolutely depending on iowa and if they don't do well here then their campaigns are likely over. and many candidates see the importance of iowa too.. it's absolutely critical otherwise we wouldn't see 10-11 candidates coming to the state for the next 20 something dates. and that's to be expected, but can we expect any surprises? it's currently a tight race between iowa leader ted cruz and donald trump.. but will trump supporters show up on caucus day? if donald trump wins the caucuses or if he finishes within three points of lets say a ted cruz..that's going to be a huge surprise because that most likely means he was actually the caucuses and that's a big deal. obama did it in 2008 and only time will tell...as the countdow

kwwl political analyst chris larimer sizes up the two republicans who've been leading the field in iowa. "i'd be very surprised if either one goes on to be the nominee." "that third ticket out of iowa could be the golden ticket." which has happened before. "winning the iowa caucus is a plus in the system, but it's not a guarantee of anything." what it can do is build - or kill momentum - for a campaign. and turnout is always a key. 140,000. "but if that gets over 150, 160,000, then that's to the benefit of trump and sanders." since the 1970s when iowa moved front and center to be first in the nation, the caucuses have helped thin the herd. there's been a lot of handwringing across the country about iowa in the front seat, but anyone who questions the legitimacy of the iowa caucuses -- consider this: in 1980, george bush surprised performance paved the way for him to become vice president under reagan. and eventually president. without his first place finish in 1980 in iowa, it's possible there would've been no bush dynasty. and also no barack obama in the white house. the illinois senat

we also spoke with kwwl political analyst chris larimer to get his thoughts as the caucuses approach. he says it has already been a politcal season to remember... person describe it as a circus which i think is somewhat all those things. chaotic a bit." and while many of the candidates are in iowa already -- he says to expect even more visits as we get closer to the caucus. vice president joe biden decided against throwing his name in the ring...and it's a decision he can't was the right decision for my family and for me and i plan on staying deeply involved, and there's no word on whether the vice president plans to campaign for a certain democrat before there's a clear nominee. candidates are still joining the race at this point... former new mexico governor gary johnson announces he'll run for president as a libertarian. he was the libertarian party's 20-12 presidential nominee. johnson says america's debt is the biggest issue facing the country. he calls himself a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. some of the coldest days of the winter will soon be upon us... and one homel

kwwl political analyst chris larimer says it shouldn't be surprising that branstad and "it has the potiential to affect really banking on, at this point, probably a first place finish in iowa to give him momentum larimer says this could affect voters who are still undecided at this point. senator cruz had this to say about the governor's comments... that the washington cartel was going to panic more and more... a reporter asked cruz what he thought of iowa's corn growers -- and the r-f-s. cruz said he thinks corn growers are wonderful people who are frustrated with career politicians. a former caucus winner is hoping to two weeks. rick santorum has been struggling to get support in the state he won four years ago... in the polls like that this time in he game of being in the top 4 or 5 folks that will finish on." he'll campaign in western iowa today. information about hillary clinton's emails. an inspector general says some of her e-mails had information classified top secret -- special access program. that would include some of the most closely held u-s intelligence information. she's been u

kwwl political analyst chris larimer says it's a smart campaign move. "we know that for the most again, including voting or going an event, that's great, because they're more informeeabout the larimer says most undecided iowa voters make their decision at the last minute. its coming up on today in plus...we still need to get through conference championships...but super bowl preparations are already underway. and it started as stranger helping stranger...but that was only the first chapter of their story. "you're watching kwwl, we've got you covered! with jerry gallagher, ally crutcher and meteorologist eileen loan. this is today in iowa." "now your storm track 7 [burke] at farmers, we've seen almost everything, so we know how to cover almost anything. even "turkey jerks." [turkey] gobble. [butcher] i'm sorry! (burke) covered march fourth,2014. talk to farmers. we've seen almost everything, so we know how to cover almost anything. we are farmers. bum-pa-dum, bum-bum-bum-bum congress doesn't regulate wall street... wall street regulates congress. it's a r

kwwl political analyst chris larimer sizes up the two republicans who've been leading the field in iowa. one goes on to be the nominee." "that third ticket out of iowa could be the golden ticket." which has happened before. "winning the iowa caucus is a plus in the system, but it's not a guarantee of anything." what it can do is build - or kill momentum - for a campaign. and turnout is always a key. dr. larimer predicts about 140,000. "but if that gets over 150, 160,000, then that's to the benefit of trump and sanders." since the 1970s when iowa moved front and center to be first in the nation, the caucuses have helped thin the herd. there's been a lot of handwringing across the country about iowa in the front seat, but anyone who questions the legitimacy of the iowa caucuses -- consider this: in 1980, george bush surprised everyone by beating ronald reagan in iowa. bush's performance paved the way for him to become vice president under reagan. and eventually president. without his first place finish in 1980 in iowa, it's possible there would've been no bush dynasty. and also no barack

kwwl political analyst chris larimer says it's a smart campaign move... "we know that for the most again, including voting or going to a campaign rally. so, iia celebrity gets a student out to an event, that's great, because they're more informed about the political process." larimer says most undecided iowa voters make heir decision at the last minute. an eastern iowa courthouse hero is suing the estate of a man who took his own life insideethat urthouse... larry "buck" koos tackled gus glaser, potentially saving lives... that happened in 2014 -- after glaser pulled out a gun at a board of supervisors meeting in jackson county. koos is one of three men who are suing -- claiming glaser was negligent when -- causing those inside to suffer injury and emotional distress. attorrys for glaser's estate kwwl he has no comment. coming up... we'restill in the thick of winter here in iowa... but a major summer celebration in the stste has details on this year's ride... and up later... how the complex science of d-n-a testing is becoming more convenient and accessib

kwwl political analyst chris larimer sizes up the two republicans who've been leadidig the field in iowa. "i'd be very surprised if either one goes on to be the nominee." "that third ticket out of iowa golden tcket." which has happened before. "winning the iowa caucus is a plus in the system, but it's not a guarantee of anything." what it can do is build - or kill momentum - for a campaign.and turnout is always a key. dr. larimer predicts about 140,000. "but if that gets over 150, 160,000, then that's to the benefit of trump and sanders." since the 1970s when iowa moved frontntand center to be first in the nation, the caucuses have helped thin the herd. there's been a lot of anyone who questions the legitimacy of thth iowa caucuses -- consider this: in 1980, george bush surprised everyone by beating rnald reagan in iowa. bush's performance paved the way for him to become vice president under reagan. and eventually president. without his first place finish in 1980 in iowa, it's possible there uld've been o bush dynasty. and also no baraak obama in he white house. the illinois senator won

kwwl political analyst chris larimer sizes up the two republicans who've been leading the field in iowa. "i'd be very surprised if either one goes on to be the nominee." could be the golden ticket." which has happened before. "winning the iowa caucus is a plus in the system, but it's not a guarantee of anything." what it can do is build - or kill momentum - for a campaign. and turnout is always a key. dr. larimer predicts about 140,000. "but if that gets over 150, 160,000, then that's to the benefit of trump and sanders." since the 1970s when iowa moved front and center to be first in the nation, the caucuses have helped thin the herd. there's been a lot of handwringing across the country about iowa in the front seat, but anyone who questions the legitimacy of the iowa caucuses -- consider this: in 1980, george bush surprised everyone by beating ronald reagan in iowa. bush's performance paved the way for him to become vice president under reagan. and eventually president. without his first place finish in 1980 in iowa, it's possible there would've been no bush dynasty. and also no barac

chris larimer chris larimer is an associate professor of