Founded in 2010
News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region
By Scott Collins, Los Angeles Times – BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Bristol Palin is back. So is Kirstie Alley. ABC on Friday announced the 12 cast members for this fall’s “Dancing With
By Kevin G. Hall, McClatchy Newspapers – WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at a lackluster annualized rate of 1.5 percent from April to June, the Commerce Department reported Friday, also releasing
By Maeve Reston, Los Angeles Times – LONDON — Looking to move past his withering debut in the British press, Mitt Romney appeared on NBC’s “Today” show Friday morning and insisted that
By Christi Parsons, Tribune Washington Bureau – WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama signed a measure Friday to strengthen U.S. security ties with Israel, the move coming a day before his Republican rival
By Michael Muskal, Los Angeles Times – Michael Marin, an outdoor enthusiast and former Wall Street trader, killed himself by swallowing cyanide in an Arizona courtroom moments after he was convicted of
By Josh Kegley, McClatchy Newspapers – LEXINGTON, Ky. — A University of Kentucky student pleaded not guilty Thursday to terroristic threatening, a charge that resulted after he allegedly sent a picture of
By Ashley Powers, Los Angeles Times – AURORA, Colo. — The funeral-goers began weeping almost as soon as they stepped into the church. Near the sanctuary entrance was the open casket of
By Ian Duncan, Tribune Washington Bureau – WASHINGTON — A Maryland man who called himself “a joker” and threatened to go on a shooting rampage at his office with an arsenal of
By Nicole Santa Cruz, Los Angeles Times – ANAHEIM, Calif.—Federal officials have agreed to look into a recent officer-involved shooting in Anaheim after a meeting with the mayor Friday. The U.S. Department
By Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times – BEIRUT — An impending battle for the northern city of Aleppo could prove to be a decisive moment for both sides in the Syrian
By David Enders, McClatchy Newspapers – BEIRUT — Syrian aid workers said Friday that they have suspended their work inside Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, in anticipation of a bruising battle between rebels
OSAGE – North Iowa Area Community College’s Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) course will be taught in Osage beginning August 29. The course is offered through a partnership between NIACC, the Osage Rehabilitation
Steve King on Thursday blasted the concept of “Meatless Mondays.“ “Meatless Mondays” claims that it is a “non-profit health initiative, encouraging people around the world to go meatless one day a week
Preliminary usage data tops 2011 record for IPL and CIPCO CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – July 27, 2012 – Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, announced today that usage
Grassley Floor Statement – Attacks on the First Amendment Freedom of Speech – Mr. President, I rise to discuss a very disturbing trend that is occurring in this country. A vicious attack
Gregg Hennigan, CR Gazette – Why did the chicken cross the road? In Iowa City the answer may soon be, “To get to people’s backyards.” City Manager Tom Markus said Thursday the
July 26, 2012 THE MODERATOR: We’re joined by Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz. COACH FERENTZ: I’m sure, like everybody, really excited to have an opportunity to get back on the field with
From Sen. Amanda Ragan – These days there is a lot of talk about improving health care nationwide. In Iowa, it’s not just talk. We’ve taken big steps toward making sure all
By Joshua Melvin, San Jose Mercury News – REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Two families that lost a total of five loved ones in the San Bruno, Calif., pipeline explosion have settled their
By Anna M. Tinsley, McClatchy Newspapers – DALLAS — Texas is ground zero for the “tea party.” Until the votes are counted and the race is settled Tuesday night, Texas’ Republican runoff
By David Zucchino – FORT. BRAGG, N.C.—Pvt. Danny Chen was so distraught over racial slurs and harsh treatment by his sergeant in Afghanistan that he spoke one day last fall of committing
By Jim Schaefer, Detroit Free Press – DETROIT — Raymond Highers, wearing bright yellow Wayne County Jail scrubs, folded his hands Thursday and clamped his eyes shut when it became clear what
Editorial by Matt Marquardt – City Administrator Brent Trout updated the City Council Tuesday on progress that has been made on its goals or “top priorities” for 2012. Despite giving up on
By Richard Simon, Los Angeles Times – WASHINGTON — Despite the tough political climate for federal gun-control legislation, a coalition of law enforcement groups on Thursday called for background checks for all
MASON CITY – Animal Answers Petshoppe has relocated from Clear Lake to Mason City. Owner Shari Hampton (pictured) is excited about her new location. “I’m real happy with my new location. Lots
PopMatters.com – Dan Rather began his career in the 1950s as a reporter for the Houston Chronicle, the Associated Press and several Texas radio stations before moving on to TV stations in
By Kim Christensen, Los Angeles Times – LOS ANGELES — Criminal proceedings against University of California, Los Angeles chemistry professor Patrick Harran took a bizarre turn Thursday when the defense alleged in
By Ashley Powers, Los Angeles Times – DENVER — After the words of comfort ended and the doves fluttered away, the mourners gathered at a college campus here were asked to write
By Shashank Bengali, McClatchy Newspapers – LONDON — Mitt Romney had hoped a visit to the Olympics would advertise his own past glory and kick off an overseas trip designed to show
By Mark K. Matthews, The Orlando Sentinel – WASHINGTON — A new IRS rule designed to find tax cheats got a thumbs-down Thursday from the U.S. House, which moved to delay its
WASHINGTON – Port Arthur Chemical and Environmental Services LLC (PACES) and its former president Matthew L. Bowman have been charged with conspiracy to illegally transport hazardous materials, resulting in the deaths of
From Iowa DNR – DES MOINES ― As drought conditions continue, Iowans are concerned about the amount of water their yard trees need. Drought conditions can lead to tree decline, pest problems
WASHINGTON — A former financial institution employee pleaded guilty today for his participation in a conspiracy related to municipal bonds, the Department of Justice announced. According to the plea proceeding held today
Phillip Oliver, 46, an inmate at the Muskogee County Jail (MCJ) was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Muskogee, Okla., to one year and a day followed by one year of
From Sen. Chuck Grassley – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is the sponsor of legislation enacted earlier this month that bans the chemicals used to make a dangerous synthetic drug called K2 or
Arlene J. Winkowitsch, 75, of Dumont, Iowa, died Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at the Dumont Wellness Center. Graveside inurnment services will be held at a later date at Brooks Presbyterian Cemetery, Brooks,
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 37-year-old Colorado man pleaded guilty to scheming investors out of $7 million. Evan Matthew Flaxman, of Silverthorne, Colorado, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud
By Scott Hiaasen and Christina Veiga, McClatchy Newspapers – MIAMI — The latest investigation of potential absentee ballot fraud in Miami-Dade County was triggered by a private investigator who went to police
On Sunday, July 22, 2012 at approximately 3:34 AM, Waterloo Police patrolling in the area of E.4th Street and Adams Street heard several gunshots on Adams Street. As officers arrived in the
FLOYD COUNTY, July 26, 2012 – On a recent morning at TLC (The Learning Center) amidst a cacophony of children’s voices at mid-morning recess, several babies could be found in the infant