And caucus future. Were getting a look inside the gops new tech gadget for iowa caucus time. Hear how theyre hoping itll help them shake 2012s embarrassing slip up. Its thursday january 7th. Today them shake 2012s embarrassing slip up. Its thursday january 7th. Today in iowa starts now. First on 13. Convenience first on 13. Convenience stores are prepping for a frenzy of millionaire hopefuls this morning. Thats as the Powerball Mega millions jackpot raises from 500 million. To 675 million. Higher than its ever been before. Here are last nights winning numbers. No tickets were sold matching that exactly. But tickets matching combos without the powerball can still win money. But its the looming jackpot their luck. This caseys in des moines says it normally sells about 200 to 500 dollars in tickets. Yesterday it sold nearly 2thousand dollars worth. One person dropping 110 dollars in one stop. Today only looks to be busier. As the stakes get higher. And des moines workers say they hope to be the ones to sell the golden ticket. Im hoping so, i want to see a winner from des moines. A lof of customers say theyll come back and help out ya know but im not holding my breath, but thatd be nice. Again, that winner would walks away with 675 million. The only ticket to come close to that was sold back in 2012. At 656 million. Today we get our first look at the future of iowa caucusing. The gop is revealing its caucus app today. Its supposed to show realtime results as they come in on caucus night. The app. As well as those who tabulate votes. Has the Republican Party of iowa hoping to shake 2012s caucus embarrassment. Thats when the former chair incorrectly named mitt romney the winner. When Rick Santorum actually received the most votes. One of 2016s gop hopefuls is taking to the metro today. To celebrate his birthday. Rand paul is throwing a Birthday Party for voters tonight. Hell be at buzzard billys from 8 to 9 tonight. Admission is free. A couple of other hopefuls also head to the metro. Democrat Martin Omalley and republican Rick Santorum will both be in town. Meanwhile ted cruz stops in humboldt and webster city ben carson sticks to eastern iowa. And Mike Huckabee wraps up his 99 county tour with a stop in urbandale. If the cyclones are to compete for a title in the loaded big 12, there can be no unfortunate surprises. Certainly not at hilton coliseum, where they hosted 111 texas tech, last night. But the red raiders whittle that lead down to just one before matt thomas rattles off 6 of 10 from beyond the arc. He finished with 22 points. Georges niang rode the bench in foul trouble for most of the first half, but comes alive with 14 points in the second half. Cyclones fend off texas tech 7669. The cyclone women cant follow suit. Not at number4 texas, where they fall hard to the longhorns, 7554. Their Winning Streak Ends at eight games. This one is harder to shrug off. The drake men trailed 77 indiana state by 22 at halftime. They fall, 7969. Theyre now just 510 on the season, 03 in the Missouri Valley conference and they play their next two games on the road. From 03 in conference, to 3 first time in a while. The hawkeyes are still savoring tuesdays win over nebraska. They trailed early but then came alive with a fury and won it easily. Iowa is making a habit of finishing strong, this year. Tons 397343 11 20 it says a lot about our team and our toughness and i think that sums it up. We respond when our backs against the wall the hawks are just beginning to enjoy this eightday break theyve got. They dont play again until next week when they visit michigan state. A team they just beat at home, last week. December likely left your kids with plenty of new toys to keep them busy. But what about the pile of toys theyve grown tired of . Josh nguyen joins us this morning to tell us about some local nonprofits that will take those toys. Good morning, josh make sure the toys are safe and lead free. You might want to check and make sure that the toys you are donating have not been recalled, are leadfree , and are considered as a safe sure the toys are clean. Charities report having to throw away items they receive because they are filled with sand from a sandbox, caked in mud, are covered with driedon food or other unidentifiable gunk, or covered with marker scribbles. Do not donate anything with missing pieces. If you plan to donate a puzzle or game, be sure that all of the essential pieces are included. Who wants to assemble a puzzle with missing pieces . Bottom line. Do not donate anything you wouldnt let your own kids play with. Get a receipt for your donation and include it as a charitable ften youile your tax return. Most places accept gently worn clothing toys kids books kids Art Craft Supplies splaces will not accept kids art crafpiesst placesi t accept items that are broken beyond repai by ems such as cribs, car seats, gh chairs whos the rebel now . No way. Yes way savor an egg mcmuffin any time you like. A fresh cracked egg, melty cheese, canadian bacon and an english muffin with real butter. Mcdonalds all Day Breakfast menu. Yeah you got people working incredibly long hours. Median Family Income today 4,000 less than it was in 1999. The bottom line of this economy is that it is rigged. What this campaign is about is to demand that we create an economy that works for all of us rather than a handful of billionaires. If you work 40 hours a week in america, you should not live in poverty. Im bernie sanders, and i approve this message. A warm front will lift over central iowa this morning, so temperatures will remain above freezing which means rain will be possible throughout most of the day. The best chances for rain will be from the lunch hour through the evening commute, with rain totals nearing. 25. 50. Temperatures will be above average and in the upper 30s through early friday, but as this system moves northeast, High Pressure will take its spot and temperatures will drop significantly through the weekend. Accident i235 22nd i235 euclid i35 oralabor coming up next, david geiger joins us with this mornings report. And. The house has passed a bill that dismantles president obamas Affordable Care act. Where it congress is back in session this week and while the first items on the congressional agenda are concerning health care, on top of the president s agenda is the transpacific partnership. But now that were in a president ial election year, theres likely to be twists and turns for the 12 nation trade deal. Senate republican leader Mitch Mcconnell said last year it was too controversial. Adding president obama shouldnt send it in until after elections, but that could mean the new president would have to be on board as well. But mcconnell could be reconsidering according to iowa senator chuck grassley, since then, ive heard senator willing to bring it up before the election. Beyond that i dont have anything to report except the general proposition, which is what i think senator mcconnell was speaking to. Its pretty difficult to get sub controversial things through the senate and the house when youve got a president ial election year. House Speaker Paul Ryan says he wants to bring up the trade deal as our top story. A looming jackpot is bigger than ever this morning. No Winning Ticket sold yesterday. Which ups the stakes from 500 to 675 million. That has people flooding Convenience Stores to press their luck. The only ticket to come close to 675 million was sold back in 2012. At 656 million. This morning more doubt is being cast on north koreas claim it hydrogen bomb. Japan has Just Announced it detected no particular change in radiation levels in the air. North korea made the claim yesterday, but the us and other nations remain skeptical. Today japan sent three planes to collect atmospheric dust in an effort to confirm north koreas test. Meanwhile, the United Nations is poised to take further action against the reclusive country for violating Security Council resolutions. A bill repealing obama care is headed for the president s desk this morning. Congress has made several failed attempts to stop his Signature Health care plan. But yesterday the house passed a bill that would dismantle it. The final vote was 240 to 181. President obama has promised to veto the bill. As the rivers start to freeze. They become one of the best places to spot eagles. Coming up. How eastern iowa is and how you can learn more about them here in des moines. I80 35 meredith slowgoing. Slick roads are