(Radio Iowa) – Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is back on the Iowa campaign trail. Branstad resigned as U.S. Ambassador to China. He and his wife, Chris, returned to Iowa LAST Monday after a little over three years and three months in the role. “Longer than the three previous ambassadors and frankly, we wanted to get back to Iowa,” Branstad says. “I wanted to get back to Iowa before it got too cold.” Branstad returned last Monday and his first campaign event was a rally with Joni Ernst in Carroll on Saturday. “I’m just really excited to be back and really proud to be part of the team,” Branstad said.

Branstad touted President Trump’s trade pact with China.  “It was a tough battle and it took a long time, but now we’re seeing record purchases of corn, pork, soybeans, beef,” Branstad said, “and that’s making a real difference.” The so-called “phase one” trade with was signed in January and, so far this year, China’s ag commodity purchases are about half of what China promised. During an interview with Radio Iowa and The Des Moines Register, Branstad discounted polls showing President Trump and Joe Biden tied in Iowa. “The only poll that counts is the one taken on Election Day. You’ve heard me say that before,” Branstad says. “The situation is a little different now because of so much early voting and all of that…I’m a big believer that you need to finish strong.”

Branstad’s oldest son, Eric, is senior advisor to Trump’s reelection campaign. Donald Trump, Junior is scheduled to campaign in Iowa Tuesday and President Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Des Moines on Wednesday. The Iowa Democratic Party’s chairman denounced the idea, saying it’ll be led by a person who may still be contagious and the event might end up being a “super spreader” of Covid.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Senator Joni Ernst hosted a motorcycle ride across the state this weekend, with rallies in five different cities. It started Saturday in Sioux City, then a stop in Carroll where many in the crowd were waving Trump flags. Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, made his first appearance after resigning as U.S. Ambassador to China. “Donald Trump, our great American president,” Branstad said, to cheers. “…I also want you to know that Joni Ernst was there to support the president all the way.” Ernst told reporter her fate isn’t tied to Trump’s and she’s running her own race. “I think we’re on a great path,” Ernst said. “I mean I feel the enthusiasm and the energy out there and that’s what’s going to take us over the finish line.”

On Sunday morning, seven-term Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Ernst greeted several dozen motorcyclists before Ernst led the group to stops in Cedar Rapids and Davenport. Grassley criticized the money being spent by outside groups touting Ernst’s opponent. “Joni and I have been a team now for six years,” Grassley said. “…We’ve got to re-elect Joni to keep the team in place.”

Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield campaigned in northern Iowa this weekend, touring a farm near Buffalo Center and visiting with small groups at stops in Estherville and Lake Mills. “We’re working hard in our campaign to follow public health guidelines…and encourage people to mask up,” she told Radio Iowa. Greenfield raised nearly 29-million dollars in the third quarter — an all-time record for an Iowa senate campaign “There’s a lot of excitement in this campaign,” Greenfield says. “…I stay focused on the basic issues. The things that really affect people’s lives, in places like this.” November 3rd, Election Day, is 22 days away.

Cass County Communications reports (as of 12:19-a.m.) they have been informed by Alliant Energy, that power may be off until 2-a.m. in the City of Cumberland. Earlier, there was a report of a power outage in Lewis, as well.

Police in Red Oak arrested a man on drug charges, Sunday night. Authorities say at around 8:10-p.m., Officers arrested 37-year old Stephen Ray Adams, of Red Oak, on two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Facility. Adams was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is investigating three incidents of Burglary that occurred in Elliott, early Sunday morning. Authorities say there were several vehicles and garages entered by unknown person or persons, who removed various items including tools and electronics. There was minor property damage as the offenders attempted to make entry to a couple of the locations. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Multiple area fire departments were on the scene Sunday afternoon of a large field fire, west of Harlan. The blaze was reported at 1334 Gingko Road. Harlan, Portsmouth, Panama, Westphalia and Earling Fire Departments were among the many who responded as of 4-p.m. Authorities were asking people to stay away from the area if possible.

In addition, a large field fire was reported in Woodbury County, west of Anthon and south of Moville/Correctionville. The fire was reported at around 2-p.m. to have jumped roads and was threatening some structures.

Wind Advisories were in effect for about the western third of Iowa. Additional information was not immediately available