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In Iowa, GOP presidential candidates concerned about impact of freezing temperatures on caucus turnout
The Iowa caucuses Monday will be held during a dangerous, record-breaking cold front as Republican presidential candidates worry the impact will depress turnout.
Temperatures are unlikely to break 0 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chill pushing the temperature as low as -45 F Monday night, according to the National Weather Service. Officials are warning that frostbite can occur within 10 minutes of outdoor exposure and as Iowans will be lining up at their local caucus site, with some forced to wait outside for extended periods of time.
“Outdoor exposure without proper winter clothing will be dangerous,” said Matt Sitkowski, science editor-in-chief at The Weather Channel.
The excessive cold began Friday afternoon as a blizzard blanketed Iowa, bringing low temperatures and whiteout conditions that caused most campaigns to cancel events across the Hawkeye state.
Former President Donald Trump had to cancel two commit to caucus events on Saturday because of the frigid temperatures and frostbite concerns.
But Trump says the inclement weather could play in his favor because the frigid temperatures could stifle support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on caucus night. At his campaign event in Clinton last Saturday, Trump recounted that his team told him the low temperatures could be good for his turnout.
“And they said, ‘That’s good.’ Why is it good? Because the other side will never vote, because they don’t have any enthusiasm,” Trump said. “We won’t lose one vote, because our people, they use the term, “walk on glass.” They’re not going to stay away. They’re going to, ‘walk on glass.'”
DeSantis, who’s invested heavily in trying to win Iowa, trudged on as best he could this weekend.
On Friday, he made three campaign stops around the Des Moines area, starting at a GOP club breakfast in the morning, visiting a “get out the vote” field office in the afternoon, and then finishing with an event for supporters and out-of-state volunteers that evening at a sports bar in West Des Moines. Four other events on Friday across the state, hosted by his super PAC, “Never Back Down,” were postponed.
Like Trump, DeSantis claims his base of voters in the state are committed to coming out on Monday, despite the historic cold. He cited the grassroots organization effort spearheaded by his super PAC, with precinct captains who are to help ensure supporters make it to their caucus.
“There’s a machinery that goes with a caucus, no matter what, but especially now with what the weather is going to be like, we have that infrastructure there,” DeSantis told reporters Friday.
Even in the heavy snow, several volunteers for DeSantis on Friday said they went out to knock on doors.
But DeSantis also thinks turnout will be lower than the 2016 GOP caucuses, with around 130,000 to 140,000 people. In 2016, about 187,000 Iowa Republicans came out to caucus, when the high temperature was 36 degrees.
“If you have to go and trudge through snow to be able to earn the vote, you trudge through snow to be able to earn the vote. My wife was out there knocking on doors,” DeSantis said, before adding the weather is a “major wildcard” for the ultimate turnout.
DeSantis’ super PAC went forward with four events Saturday, starting in the western part of the state and trekking east.
Haley canceled campaign events Friday because of a blizzard but pleaded with supporters during a telephone town hall to prepare for the impending cold temperatures.
“I know it’s asking a lot of you to go out and caucus, but I also know we have a country to save and I will be out there in the cold,” said Haley. “Please wear layers of clothes, just in case there are lines so that you are staying safe.”
Chris LaCavita, a Trump campaign senior adviser, says the campaign is prepared for inclement weather because it’s built an operation run by Iowans.
“The contingencies that we have in place, it’s old-school poll workers and people who pick up people and drive them to the polls,” LaCavita said. “We have all that stuff planned, and we’ve been planning it.”
When asked if he was concerned the weather could impact their turnout, LaCavita said, “wear a coat.”
Nidia Cavazos contributed to this report.
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How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
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How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.