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Business

Treasury warns banks: illegal labor schemes are draining taxpayers, fueling fraud and exploiting U.S. businesses

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Treasury Department is warning banks and other financial institutions to watch for suspicious money trails tied to illegal workers, shady labor brokers and employers accused of using unlawful labor schemes to dodge taxes, steal identities and undercut legitimate American businesses.

The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN, issued a joint advisory on June 5, 2026, urging financial institutions to detect and report illicit activity connected to the unlawful employment of people not authorized to work in the United States.

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Top Stories

Gunfire erupts outside South Federal Kwik Star in Mason City, one person taken to hospital

MASON CITY — A person was taken to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center after gunfire broke out outside the South Federal Avenue Kwik Star in Mason City late Wednesday night, according to Mason City police.

The shooting was reported after an argument between several men near a gas pump at the Kwik Star, located along South Federal Avenue. Mason City Police Chief Mike McKelvey said the dispute apparently escalated into gunfire.

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Politics

Ollenburg ousts Bloomingdale in House District 60 GOP primary, will face Schmidt in November

CLEAR LAKE — Iowa House District 60 voters will see a new general election matchup in November after Republican challenger Dani Ollenburg defeated longtime GOP incumbent Jane Bloomingdale in Tuesday’s primary.

Ollenburg, a Clear Lake Republican and political newcomer, defeated Bloomingdale, of Northwood, by a vote of 1,620 to 1,176 in the June 2, 2026, Republican primary. Ollenburg received 57.9% of the vote, while Bloomingdale received 42.1%.

Ollenburg will now face Democrat Alexander Schmidt of St. Ansgar in the November 3 general election. Schmidt was unopposed in the Democratic primary and received 1,142 votes.

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Top Stories

Northern Iowa U.S. 18 safety project eyes passing lanes, turn lanes between Sanborn and Spencer

SANBORN — A northern Iowa highway corridor could see safety and traffic-flow improvements as the Iowa Department of Transportation studies possible upgrades to U.S. Highway 18 between Sanborn and the U.S. Highway 71 intersection north of Spencer.

The planning effort focuses on roughly 26 miles of U.S. 18, a key east-west route used by local drivers, commuters, farm traffic, commercial trucks and travelers moving across northwest and northern Iowa.

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