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News Headlines for November 15, 2026
UNI men’s basketball goes cold in final four minutes as Oakland rallies to stun Panthers, 80-76
ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN — The Northern Iowa Panther men’s basketball team appeared poised to steal a road victory Saturday evening, November 14, 2026, but a disastrous offensive drought over the final four minutes allowed Oakland to rally for an 80-76 victory at OU Credit Union O’Rena.
UNI wrestling storms to nine titles and 43 pins in dominant season opener at Grand View Open
WEST DES MOINES — The Northern Iowa Panther wrestling team opened its 2026-27 season with a commanding performance Saturday, November 14, 2026, capturing nine individual championships, piling up 43 pins and compiling an impressive 109-17 combined match record at the Grand View Open.
Iowa volleyball swept by No. 1 Nebraska as Hawkeyes fall to 13-17 ahead of Senior Night
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA — The Iowa Hawkeye volleyball team faced the nation’s top-ranked opponent Saturday evening, November 14, 2026, and came away with a straight-set defeat as No. 1 Nebraska overpowered Iowa, 25-12, 25-15 and 25-17, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
Grain elevator fire near Mason City brings three fire departments to North Iowa Cooperative
MASON CITY — A grain elevator fire at the North Iowa Cooperative facility near Mason City brought firefighters from three Northern Iowa departments to the scene Saturday evening, November 14, 2026, after a blower fan caught fire. Authorities reported no injuries and said damage appeared to be minimal.
UNI volleyball makes history with 67th straight MVC win, survives five-set thriller at UIC
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — The Northern Iowa Panther volleyball team delivered another historic performance Friday, November 13, 2026, overcoming UIC in five sets to establish a new Missouri Valley Conference record with its 67th consecutive regular-season league victory while celebrating a major career milestone for Lily Dykstra.
UNI men’s basketball overwhelmed by No. 5 Michigan State in 106-72 road loss
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN — The Northern Iowa Panther men’s basketball team battled through a competitive first half but could not overcome a barrage of three-point shooting from fifth-ranked Michigan State, falling 106-72 to the Spartans on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Breslin Center.
Country a cappella sensation Home Free bringing holiday magic to NIACC November 20
MASON CITY — Country music harmonies, holiday favorites and a little Nashville-style humor are headed to North Iowa as the internationally acclaimed a cappella group Home Free brings its “Coming Home for the Holidays” tour to the North Iowa Community Auditorium on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Magic meets live music as Chris Funk brings “Redefining Wonder” to NIACC November 17
MASON CITY — A magician who combines elaborate illusions with live musical performances is headed to North Iowa when Chris Funk, known as “The Wonderist,” takes the stage at the North Iowa Community Auditorium on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Iowa Hawkeye field hockey season ends in heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to Duke in NCAA Tournament
The Iowa Hawkeye field hockey team fought back from two deficits but saw its season end Friday, November 13, 2026, in a 3-2 overtime loss to Duke in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at the Field Hockey and Women’s Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Maryland.
Amazon driver causes $5,000 in damage after Charles City collision
CHARLES CITY — A routine Amazon package delivery turned into a $5,000 mishap Thursday afternoon, November 5, 2026, when a delivery van backed into a passing Freightliner truck on a Charles City street.
Northern Iowa felon flees cops for 80 minutes, hides in home as new domestic abuse charges pile up
MASON CITY — He ran through neighborhoods, alleys and trails, slipped across bridges and allegedly hid inside a home where he did not belong. But after an 80-minute manhunt, police finally caught up with 37-year-old Jesse Paul Mugan, a Northern Iowa man with a lengthy criminal record who was wanted on new domestic abuse charges.
Mugan was arrested Sunday, November 8, 2026, after Mason City police, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office joined forces to track him down. The latest cases accuse him of domestic abuse assault by strangulation causing bodily injury and a third or subsequent domestic abuse assault. Those are allegations; his older convictions are a separate matter.
North Iowa fairgrounds seek county help as 100-plus dead trees and repairs pile up
MASON CITY — More than 100 dead trees. Buildings needing repair. And another request for county help. Representatives of the North Iowa Events Center met with Cerro Gordo County supervisors on November 10, 2026, as questions mount over the cost of keeping Mason City’s longtime fairgrounds in shape.
Iowa man loses $11,500 to Bitcoin ATM scammers, then Supreme Court sides with crypto company in fight over cash
CEDAR FALLS — An Iowa man who lost $11,500 to cryptocurrency scammers thought he had a chance to recover his money after police seized the cash from a Bitcoin ATM. But an Iowa Supreme Court ruling filed October 30, 2026, determined that a newer state law protecting cryptocurrency fraud victims could not be applied to his 2024 transaction.
Conservatives blast Rob Sand’s left-leaning transition team as Iowa governor-elect fills key positions
DES MOINES — Iowa Governor-elect Rob Sand is placing experienced Democratic political operatives, labor-connected advisers and veterans of previous Democratic administrations in key roles as he prepares to take office in January 2027, drawing questions from Republican leaders about whether his promised bipartisan approach will carry over into governing.
Selling holiday treats from your Iowa kitchen? State law spells out what the label must say
Holiday craft fairs and Facebook pre-orders keep a lot of North Iowa kitchens busy this
Iowa women’s basketball crushes Northern Iowa, 78-40, as No. 10 Hawkeyes dominate in-state rivalry
IOWA CITY — The 10th-ranked Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball team overwhelmed Northern Iowa with relentless defense and efficient shooting Thursday night, November 12, 2026, rolling to a 78-40 victory before 13,609 fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Cerro Gordo supervisors to consider 45 mph speed limits, Clear Lake-area rezoning and tax abatements November 16
MASON CITY — Motorists traveling two stretches of Cerro Gordo County roadway could face new 45 mph speed limits, while three rural properties near Clear Lake could receive new residential zoning classifications as the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors prepares for its Monday, November 16, 2026, meeting. The board will also consider more than $1,200 in mobile-home tax abatements involving properties in Mason City and Clear Lake.
Janet McGovern, 81, former Howard County supervisor, devoted 20 years to public service and standing up for others
CHARLES CITY — Janet Lea “Jan” McGovern, 81, of Charles City, a longtime Howard County supervisor whose political career included a notable Democratic National Convention vote and two decades of service to Northern Iowa residents, died Thursday, November 12, 2026, at her home after living with cancer.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, November 21, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville.
Cynthia “Cindy” Thornton, 51, of Charles City, brought laughter, sass and a big personality to every conversation
CHARLES CITY — Cynthia “Cindy” Marie Thornton, 51, of Charles City, a lively and outspoken woman whose quick wit, contagious laughter and love for her family left lasting memories with those who knew her, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at her home.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, November 15, at 3 p.m. at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, 1205 South Main Street in Charles City, with Pastor Matt Howlett of First Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, immediately before the service. Burial will be held at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.
Phyllis Krukow, 97, of Dickens, leaves a legacy of family, home-cooked meals and a lifetime of service to others
DICKENS — Phyllis Ann Krukow, 97, of Dickens, a devoted mother and grandmother, former school cook and award-winning community volunteer whose generous spirit touched generations of Iowa families, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Ruthven Care Center.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at Geelan Funeral Home, 403 11th Street SE, in Spencer. Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. before the service. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Poland Township Cemetery near Marathon. The funeral will also be livestreamed through the funeral home’s website for those unable to attend.
Gordon Kammrad, 97, of Mason City, leaves a legacy of hard work, family devotion and community service
MASON CITY — Gordon C. Kammrad, 97, formerly of Mason City, whose long working life, devotion to his family and involvement in the Lions Club reflected a lifetime of dedication and service, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Sheffield Care Center.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 17, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue, in Mason City. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Jani Dahlin officiating. Gordon will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Sheffield. Memorial contributions may be directed to his family.
Jeanne Lenore Argos, 96, leaves legacy of public service, community involvement and devotion to family
MASON CITY — Jeanne Lenore (Danehy) Argos, 96, a former Cerro Gordo County Recorder, longtime community volunteer and active participant in local politics, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at Nora Springs Care Center, surrounded by her family.
A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, November 16, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Epiphany Parish – Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Avenue in Mason City. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., immediately preceding the service. Inurnment will be held at St. Patrick Cemetery in Dougherty at a later date. Fullerton Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
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