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After disastrous Democratic caucuses earlier this year, both Republicans and Democrats are giving the state a lot of attention and money in the run-up to November.

The state party has released some of the results. It's not clear when the full totals will be made public.

The Iowa Democratic Party said Tuesday that "the underlying data" collected at caucus sites "was sound" despite the smartphone app malfunction. The party expects to report results later Tuesday.

Newt Gingrich was sued by a songwriter from the group Survivor for using without permission the song "Eye of the Tiger" at campaign appearances. The chairman of Iowa's Republican Party, Matt Strawn, announced he will step down next week amid controversy over the tight results of the GOP caucuses in which first Mitt Romney, then Rick Santorum were declared the winner. And more.

The state Republican Party reversed itself from a previous assertion that it would not declare a winner. A recanvassing of the votes showed Santorum won by 34 votes, though the preliminary results gave Mitt Romney an eight-vote lead.

How embarrassing for Iowa GOP officials. How embarrassing for Iowa Republicans as a party. How embarrassing for Iowa. But who told the world to hold its breath earlier this month, awaiting the latest word on who had edged ahead in the Iowa caucuses? That would have been us. The news folks.

There are reports Thursday that Texas Gov. Rick Perry will leave the GOP presidential race, and Iowa officials announced final results of the state's Republican presidential nominating caucuses held earlier this month.

Declaring a virtual tie in the Iowa caucuses might not help Rick Santorum, but it could hurt Mitt Romney. Still, his closest rival in South Carolina — Newt Gingrich — faces new troubles of his own.

On the evening of the Jan. 3 caucuses, it was estimated Mitt Romney was eight votes ahead. Now, official say, Rick Santorum has a slight edge. Still, it's basically a split decision. Some precincts' results are missing.

Iowa and New Hampshire might look small and vanilla in a nation of multiplying hues and creeds, but they pay attention to their lead-off responsibilities.