Founded in 2010
News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region
By Jim Souhan, Star Tribune (Minneapolis) – FORT MYERS, Fla. — When Minnesota Twins outfielder Ben Revere decided to strengthen his throwing arm this winter, he sought out the people, places and games
By Patrick J. McDonnell and Alexandra Sandels, Los Angeles Times – BEIRUT — Syrian authorities blocked an aid convoy from entering the former rebel enclave of Baba Amr in the city of Homs,
By Michael Muskal, Los Angeles Times – LOS ANGELES — At least three people were killed Friday in southern Indiana when tornadoes plowed through the region, officials reported. The deaths were all in
Dubuque, IOWA – Officers with the Dubuque Police Department received a report from a local citizen regarding allegations against Dubuque County Sheriff’s Deputy James Doyle, 47 years. Based on the information developed
National Problem Gambling Awareness Week is March 4th through 10th. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness of the potential negative consequences of gambling and to honor the successes achieved in reducing the
Trey Mewes, Austin Daily Herald, Minn. – Police turned over a 9-year-old and 10-year-old to their parents late Thursday after they allegedly tried to start fires at the construction site near Mayo Clinic
Tim Engstrom, Albert Lea Tribune, Minn. – A group of juvenile boys face citations of disorderly conduct Tuesday as a result of a fight in a restroom at Albert Lea High School. One
By David Hiltbrand, The Philadelphia Inquirer – It had to happen sooner or later. The proliferation of amateur singing contests on TV eventually drained our great nation’s pool of vocal talent. Everyone who
By Richard Fausset and Michael Muskal, Los Angeles Times – ATLANTA — Apparent tornadoes destroyed homes, damaged a prison and injured about 10 people in Alabama on Friday as the South and Midwest
By Richard Simon, Los Angeles Times – WASHINGTON — Barely a year in office, a number of freshman lawmakers have an answer to Congress’ poor image: term limits. The newcomers are among a
By Kim Geiger and Michael A. Memoli, Tribune Washington Bureau – WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama weighed in Friday on a mounting controversy over radio provocateur Rush Limbaugh’s crude comments about Georgetown University
Maricella Miranda, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn. – A 30-year-old man is accused of exposing his genitals to children and attempting to lure them into his vehicle at least four times this year
MCT FORUM – By Akilah Bolden-Monifa Thankfully, Americans are increasingly accepting interracial marriage. It wasn’t until 1967 that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in Loving v. Virginia, that laws banning interracial marriage were
By Kathleen Hennessey, Tribune Washington Bureau – NASHUA, N.H. — As rising gas prices are putting pressure on politicians to act, President Barack Obama called on Congress to vote quickly to eliminate subsidies
By Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times – DALTON, Ga. — Rick Santorum swept into the home turf of Republican presidential rival Newt Gingrich on Thursday with a full-bore family-values pitch to the same
By Maeve Reston, Los Angeles Times – FARGO, N.D. — Campaigning in the state with the nation’s lowest unemployment rate, Mitt Romney pivoted to energy policy Thursday — accusing President Barack Obama of
By William Douglas and David Lightman, McClatchy Newspapers – DALTON, Ga. — While Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum flew to Washington state ahead of its Republican presidential caucuses Saturday, Newt Gingrich tended to
By Matea Gold and Melanie Mason, Tribune Washington Bureau – WASHINGTON — After locking up much of the Republican establishment’s heavyweight fundraisers, Mitt Romney is going after the little guy. “Donate $3 today
By Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press – INDIANAPOLIS — This year’s NFL draft is sprinkled with good cornerback prospects who have major character concerns. Dre Kirkpatrick had an All-America career at Alabama but
During his weekly video address, Senator Chuck Grassley discusses the need to increase production of domestic energy to help lower gas prices and create jobs. Along with other senators, he’s urging President
Washington, DC – Congressman Steve King released the following statement today regarding the recent announcement made by Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. that planned improvements at its Dakota City, Nebraska plant may lead
Former University of Northern Iowa track star Joey Woody became the first Panther student-athlete inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame Friday in St. Louis. The ceremony took place Friday
MASON CITY – From the Mason City Police Department: Christopher Upenieks, age 29, has been charged with the following crimes after his four year-old son allegedly shot him in the knee on
MASON CITY, Iowa – The NIACC’s men’s basketball team ended its season with its fourth straight loss in a 80-64 win by Ellsworth Community College on Thursday night. Sophomore Chris Throne (Lake
MASON CITY, Iowa – Despite leading for most of the night, the NIACC women struggled offensively on Thursday night during a 66-55 loss to Ellsworth Community College. Kika Greenlee (Fr., Saint Louis
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that Ross Hack, 40, Leland Jones, 31, and Melissa Hack, 37, have been charged with first degree murder and firearms offenses in relation to the
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced that it had reached a settlement resolving allegations that Empirian Property Management Inc. refused to terminate residential leases entered into by active duty members of
WASHINGTON – A Ripley, Tenn., police officer was arrested today on federal civil rights and obstruction of justice charges, the Justice Department announced. Stephen Michael Kirkpatrick, 47, was indicted on two counts of
WASHINGTON – A Redmond, Ore., man was convicted yesterday of seven counts of wire fraud by a federal jury in Boston, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal
DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate has approved a bill known as Kadyn’s Law that strengthens the penalties for drivers who violate school bus traffic laws. The bill, Senate File 2218, was
WASHINGTON – In an op-ed to be published in the March 2, 2012 edition of the Wall Street Journal, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner (pictured) discusses the perils of financial crisis amnesia, contrasting
By Ryan Haggerty, Alissa Groeninger and Ted Gregory, Chicago Tribune HARRISBURG, Ill. — Nowhere in this town of about 9,000 felt the heartbreak of six lives lost in Wednesday’s tornado more deeply than
Dave DeWitte, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa – A large group of Johnson County businesses and property owners filed suit Thursday to block an incentive-laden deal by the City of Coralville to bring
Albert Lea Tribune, Minn. – Last week, when Iran cranked up its rhetorical — and actual — stance against countries that it sees as enemies, it provoked a new flurry of suggestions
By: Emily McMahon Recent press reports have glossed over a number of central facts when describing how federal tax laws were applied to companies that received government assistance during the financial crisis. These
Dave DeWitte, CR Gazette – A group representing Iowa’s biggest employers found an improved outlook on business prospects in its latest quarterly survey of members. The Iowa Business Council said its quarterly
By Gary M. Singer, Sun Sentinel – QUESTION: My dad passed away four years ago, and my mom was scraping by working at a department store until recently, when she had to stop
By Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times – BEIRUT — Syrian forces overran a longtime rebel enclave in the battleground city of Homs, the government said Thursday, as the United Nations Security Council
By Emily Rome, Los Angeles Times – LOS ANGELES — “I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.” So declares the environmentally minded title character in Dr. Seuss’ children’s book “The Lorax”
Patricia Niver, Mason City Community School District Nurse, has been selected to receive the “100 Great Iowa Nurses” designation. The “100 Great Iowa Nurses” program recognizes outstanding nurses whose exceptional contributions to