Rand Paul returns to Iowa Jan. 7

Republican presidential hopeful Rand Paul and his wife, Kelley Paul, will visit 10 Iowa communities during a two-day campaign swing in early January.

Jan. 7 marks the 24th day the Kentucky senator has campaigned in the state — and it's also his 53rd birthday. Paul will hold several meet-and-greets, as well as two town halls focused on eminent domain in counties where the Bakken pipeline would pass.

There will also be two opportunities to celebrate the senator's birthday.

THURSDAY

Council Bluffs: 10 a.m., meet-and-greet, Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Ave.

Sioux City: 1 p.m., meet-and-greet, Sioux City Public Library, 529 Pierce St.

Carroll: 4 p.m., meet-and-greet, Santa Maria Vineyard & Winery, 218 W. Sixth St.

Boone: 6 p.m., eminent domain town hall, Fareway Educational Center, 1215 S. Marshall St.

Des Moines: 8 p.m., birthday party, Buzzard Billy's, 615 Third St.

FRIDAY

Oskaloosa: 10:30 a.m., eminent domain town hall, Smokey Row Coffee, 109 S. Market St.

Ottumwa: noon, meet-and-greet, Pizza Ranch, 1791 Venture Drive.

Marion: 4 p.m., meet-and-greet, Marion Public Library, 1095 Sixth Ave.

North Liberty: 5:30 p.m., meet-and-greet, North Liberty Community Center, 520 W. Cherry St.

Davenport: 8:30 p.m., birthday party, River Music Experience, 129 N. Main St.