DES MOINES (AP) — Republican presidential nominee John McCain and running mate Sarah Palin are set to visit three Iowa cities this weekend.

Palin will visit northwest Iowa, with a rally scheduled for Sioux City West High School on Saturday. The event would be Palin’s first solo campaign event in Iowa.

She’s then expected to meet up with McCain on Saturday afternoon for a joint rally at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. McCain is also scheduled to host a rally on Sunday at the University of Northern Iowa.

This will be McCain’s fourth visit to the state since mid-September, and Palin’s second trip to Iowa.

Democratic nominee Barack Obama had to scrap plans to campaign in Iowa on Thursday to visit his grandmother, who is gravely ill and lives in Hawaii.

Obama’s last Iowa appearance was Aug. 25 in Davenport.