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News Headlines for October 20, 2026
Texas man accused of lewd act inside Mason City Hobby Lobby before second arrest
MASON CITY — A Texas man accused of masturbating in front of a woman at a Mason City store in October had already been arrested after an alleged encounter inside Hobby Lobby, where police say he approached a woman and began speaking while performing a sex act.
Iowa corn harvest just 26% complete as wet fields keep farmers behind
Iowa farmers remain roughly two weeks behind their normal harvest pace, with corn harvest 26 percent complete and soybeans at 57 percent. Eagle Grove recorded the state’s highest weekly rainfall as wet fields continued to slow work.
Northern Iowa pickup driver injured in crash with semi near Mallard
MALLARD — A man was injured Monday evening when his pickup and a semi were involved in a crash at a rural Northern Iowa intersection, where a trailer broke loose and struck a utility pole.
Iowa Social Security recipients to see 3.6% increase in 2027
Iowa residents receiving Social Security will see their benefits increase 3.6% in 2027, with retirement benefits rising an average of about $75 a month nationwide.
Trump announces $8 billion harvest relief plan to help Iowa farmers
Iowa farmers could receive help through President Trump’s new $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program, with commodity payment rates expected in November.
Iowa State men’s basketball rallies from 19 down but falls to Creighton, 83-80, in exhibition
Iowa State men’s basketball rallied from 19 points down but fell 83-80 to Creighton in an October 18 exhibition at Hilton Coliseum.
Cancer returns for Iowa First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds as state battles nation’s second-highest cancer rate
Iowa First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds faces a recurrence of cancer following brain tumor surgery, as Iowa records the nation’s second-highest cancer incidence rate.
Fashion for everyone: Affordables runway show returns to Mason City October 23
The Affordables Fashion Show returns to Mason City October 23 with inclusive runway models, Mason City High School student designs, fall fashions and a fundraiser for 43 North Iowa.
Northern Iowa elderly man missing, authorities issue urgent endangered person alert
Authorities are searching for Larry Williams, 84, missing from Lytton on October 19. Watch for a black Toyota Prius with Iowa plate SF691. Call 911.
Jeanne Moorehead, 88, built a life of family, farm work and firsts
MASON CITY — Jeanne Rae Moorehead, 88, died peacefully October 18, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at Good Shepherd Health Care Center, leaving a family spanning four generations and a legacy of determination, generosity and humor.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. NE, Mason City. A Scriptural Wake will begin at 6:30 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 22, at Epiphany Parish–St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City. Burial will follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.
Northern Iowa woman dies after shooting inside home; homicide investigation underway
A woman died after police found her shot inside a Waterloo home Saturday night. Detectives are investigating the homicide and asking anyone with information to come forward.
UNI soccer holds Murray State scoreless, earns point in MVC tournament chase
Hailey Luedtke made four saves as UNI soccer tied Murray State 0-0 on October 18, earning a conference point with three matches remaining in its push for an MVC Tournament berth.
Iowa volleyball snaps 31-set drought against Wisconsin but falls to No. 6 Badgers
Iowa volleyball won its first set against Wisconsin since 2016, but the No. 6 Badgers prevailed in four sets October 18 at Xtream Arena. Ksenija Tomic led the Hawkeyes with 13 kills.
Northern Iowa crash leaves driver trapped in car, airlifted after collision with semi trailer
Joseph Anderegg, 43, of Osage, was extricated from his car and airlifted after it struck a semi trailer at Highway 9 and Highway 218 in Mitchell County on October 17.
Osage Co-Op fire: Dust explosions spread blaze; neighbors rally to help
Dust explosions spread fire through the Osage Co-Op Elevator facility Saturday, drawing five fire departments. No injuries were reported, and neighboring businesses offered to help keep fall fertilizer operations going.
Reynolds touts Iowa revenue growth as state forecasts $8.54 billion in receipts
Gov. Kim Reynolds credited Republican fiscal policies for Iowa’s improving revenue outlook Friday, pointing to projections of $8.54 billion in General Fund receipts this fiscal year and further growth next year.
Chicago drug dealer’s Iowa chaos nearly lands him a 21-year federal prison term
A Chicago drug dealer tore through an Iowa neighborhood at more than twice the speed limit, ran a stop sign and nearly struck a city bus before hitting a curb and trying to escape on foot. Officers caught him nearby — and uncovered more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine during searches of his car and apartment.
UNI volleyball sweeps UIC for 10th straight win, moves within reach of MVC record
CEDAR FALLS — UNI volleyball keeps winning, and another conference record is now just one victory away. The Panthers swept UIC 25-21, 25-18, 25-17 on Saturday, October 17, at the McLeod Center, earning their 10th consecutive victory behind Lily Dykstra’s match-high 15 kills.
UNI football digs early hole, falls to No. 6 Youngstown State 35-22
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — UNI spent Saturday trying to climb out of a hole that began with the opening kickoff. The Panthers made a game of it, but a 28-point deficit proved too much to overcome against No. 6 Youngstown State.
Rob Sand’s brother-in-law stepped into highway and was struck and killed, patrol says
CHARITON — Iowa Auditor Rob Sand’s brother-in-law stepped into a highway traffic lane Thursday night and was struck and killed by an SUV whose driver had moved over to pass his parked car, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
UNI volleyball rolls past Valparaiso for ninth straight win
CEDAR FALLS — Valparaiso had few answers for UNI’s attack Friday night as the Panthers swept the Beacons, stretched their winning streak to nine matches and added another milestone to their Missouri Valley Conference dominance.
Northern Iowa woman hospitalized after broadside crash near Rockwell
ROCKWELL — A Clear Lake woman was taken to the hospital Friday evening after her SUV went through a stop sign and was struck broadside by a pickup near Rockwell, according to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office.
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