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News Headlines for November 6, 2026

Sports

Iowa State women’s basketball rolls past Nicholls 68-44 as freshman Tjaša Turnšek delivers first double-double

AMES — The Iowa State Cyclone women’s basketball team remained unbeaten Thursday night, November 5, 2026, defeating Nicholls 68-44 at Hilton Coliseum behind a breakthrough performance from freshman Tjaša Turnšek, who recorded her first collegiate double-double.

Iowa State improved to 2-0 on the season, while Nicholls fell to 1-1. Turnšek led the Cyclones with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting and 13 rebounds, while Sienna Harvey scored 15 points with five rebounds and four assists. Mya Babbitt connected on three 3-pointers and added 11 points.

The win followed Iowa State’s 90-61 season-opening victory over Grambling State, giving the Cyclones two wins to begin the 2026-27 campaign.

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Sports

No. 10 Iowa women’s basketball crushes Eastern Illinois 80-39 as McKenna Woliczko scores 22

IOWA CITY — No. 10 Iowa women’s basketball overwhelmed Eastern Illinois 80-39 on Thursday, November 5, 2026, as freshman McKenna Woliczko scored a career-high 22 points and the Hawkeyes forced 27 turnovers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Hawkeyes improved to 2-0, while Eastern Illinois fell to 0-2 before a crowd of 13,314. Woliczko shot 9-for-12 from the field and 4-for-6 from 3-point range in her first collegiate 20-point game.

Ava Heiden contributed 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting and a team-high eight rebounds, while Dani Carnegie added 12 points and seven rebounds. Iowa recorded 16 steals, converted Eastern Illinois turnovers into 30 points and outscored the Panthers 40-16 in the paint.

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Sports

Iowa State soccer suffers 7-0 loss to UCF in season finale, ends Matt Fannon era

ORLANDO, FLORIDA — The Iowa State women’s soccer team closed its 2026 season Thursday, November 5, with a 7-0 loss at UCF, matching the second-worst margin of defeat in program history in what the Cyclones identified as head coach Matt Fannon’s final match.

Iowa State finished 4-11-4 overall and 0-9-2 in Big 12 play. UCF improved to 11-4-2 overall and 6-3-2 in the conference.

The Knights scored five times in the opening half and added two more after halftime. They outshot Iowa State 26-7, including a 12-0 advantage in shots on goal, and held a 9-1 edge in corner kicks.

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Jennifer Christine Pledger jail booking photograph
Crime

Iowa postal worker accused of shooting coworkers at main Des Moines post office, faces attempted murder charges

DES MOINES — A 39-year-old West Des Moines postal employee faces five felony charges after police say she opened fire on coworkers inside the main U.S. Postal Service facility in Iowa’s capital city Thursday morning, November 5, 2026, leaving two women wounded by gunfire and a man injured while fleeing.

Jennifer Christine Pledger was arrested after the shooting at the Des Moines Main Post Office, 1165 Second Avenue, just north of downtown. Police said the shooting occurred in an employee-only area on the second floor.

Investigators allege Pledger shot a female employee, causing her to fall, then stood over the wounded woman and fired again. Police say witnesses reported that shots were also fired toward other employees as they tried to escape.

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Sports

UNI women’s soccer falls 1-0 to Drake in season finale, Panthers finish 1-13-3

CEDAR FALLS — The Northern Iowa women’s soccer team closed its 2026 season Thursday, November 5, with a hard-fought 1-0 loss to in-state rival Drake on a cold, drizzly afternoon in Cedar Falls.

The Panthers held the Bulldogs scoreless throughout the second half but could not overcome an early goal, finishing their season with a 1-13-3 overall record and a 1-6-2 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play.

Drake’s Isabella Balsley scored the game’s only goal in the 18th minute, taking advantage of a deflection inside the UNI penalty area.

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Darris Carter, digitally enhanced illustration based on jail booking photo
Crime

Northern Iowa convicted drug felon busted for OWI, faces probation revocation and warrant

CHARLES CITY — A Northern Iowa man who received a suspended five-year prison sentence for a felony drug conviction less than three months ago is facing new legal trouble following a drunk-driving arrest in Charles City. A Bremer County judge ordered a public or bench warrant on Thursday, November 5, 2026, amid allegations that he violated probation.

Darris Maurice Carter, 37, of Charles City, was arrested on Sunday, November 1, on suspicion of operating while intoxicated, first offense. Four days later, court records show a $5,000 cash or surety bond was specified in the warrant order, with a probation revocation hearing set for 2 p.m. Friday, November 13.

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Politics

Iowa’s new political reality: Republicans prepare to confront Democratic Gov. Rob Sand in 2027

DES MOINES — Iowa voters delivered a dramatic political shift Tuesday, November 3, 2026, electing Democrat Rob Sand as governor and handing his party victories in federal and state races. But Republicans will still control both chambers of the Iowa Legislature when Sand takes office in January, setting the stage for divided government.

Statements issued Wednesday by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley offered an early glimpse of how the transition could unfold: Reynolds promised cooperation, while Grassley said Republican lawmakers would be a firewall against policies they oppose.

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Politics

Democratic wave sweeps Iowa as Sand, Turek win and North Iowa voters oust GOP lawmaker

DES MOINES — Iowa voters delivered a major political reversal in the November 3, 2026, election, electing Democrat Rob Sand governor, sending Democrat Josh Turek to the U.S. Senate and choosing Democrats in three of Iowa’s four congressional districts. The shift reached North Iowa, where Democrat Jacob Welper defeated Republican incumbent Christian Hermanson for Iowa House District 59, although Republicans retained control of the state Legislature and won several other contests.

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North Iowa remembrance and obituary
Obits

Larry Dean Craun, 88, filled his family’s lives with music, hard work and love

SUMNER — Larry Dean Craun, 88, of Sumner, a longtime John Deere employee, farmer and talented accordion player whose music brought generations of family and friends together, died Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Cobblestone Court Assisted Living in Sumner, surrounded by his family.

A private family service will be held. Memorial contributions in Larry’s name may be directed to SEMS, the Methodist Church in Sumner or St. Croix Hospice. No public visitation or funeral service has been announced.

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North Iowa remembrance and obituary
Obits

Mark Anthony Clark, 68, leaves a lifetime of memories in his hometown of Estherville

ESTHERVILLE — Mark Anthony Clark, 68, a lifelong resident of Estherville, Iowa, who enjoyed familiar routines, watching television and attending bingo gatherings, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at his home.

Private services will be held for Mark’s family. Friends and loved ones may share memories and condolences through Henry-Olson Funeral Home and Crematory’s online tribute page.

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North Iowa remembrance and obituary
Obits

Richard “Dick” Kaduce, 95, leaves a legacy of military service, Iowa state parks and a love of the outdoors

CLEAR LAKE — Richard “Dick” Leroy Kaduce, 95, of Clear Lake, a Korean War veteran and longtime Iowa Department of Natural Resources employee whose career took him to several of the state’s treasured parks, passed away November 3, 2026, at Oakwood Care Center. A devoted outdoorsman with a memorable sense of humor, Kaduce spent much of his life appreciating the natural beauty of Iowa and sharing his love of hunting and fishing.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake, with Lay Minister Al Berge officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., one hour before the service.

Inurnment will follow at Clear Lake Cemetery, where members of Clear Lake VFW Post 4868 will provide full military honors in recognition of Kaduce’s service to his country. A luncheon will follow the graveside services.

The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Iconic Lands LLC, 260 Wentworth Avenue E., Suite 165, St. Paul, MN 55118, in his memory.

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North Iowa remembrance and obituary
Obits

David Laurence Lytle, 61, of Clear Lake leaves a legacy of independence, friendship and determination

CLEAR LAKE — David Laurence Lytle, 61, a longtime Clear Lake resident whose life was filled with friendship, sports, laughter and achievements that exceeded expectations, passed away Monday, November 2, 2026.

A private family remembrance will be held to celebrate David’s life. His family will honor him by sharing memories of his sense of humor, loving personality and the many ways he enriched their lives. Memorial contributions may be directed to One Vision, P.O. Box 622, Clear Lake, IA 50428. Cards and expressions of sympathy may be mailed to Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North, Clear Lake, IA 50428.

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North Iowa remembrance and obituary
Obits

Marilyn Rae Monson, 77, leaves a legacy of community leadership, service and family devotion

SPIRIT LAKE — Marilyn Rae Monson, 77, of Spirit Lake and formerly of Newell, Iowa, whose life was distinguished by community leadership, historic preservation, public service and devotion to her family, passed away Monday, November 2, 2026, at her home in Spirit Lake.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 6, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Turner Jenness Funeral Home, 1302 Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake.

Funeral services will take place Saturday, November 7, at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2300 27th Street in Spirit Lake. The service will also be available via livestream through the church’s website.

Burial will follow Saturday at 2 p.m. at Newell Cemetery in Newell, Iowa. Family and friends are invited to gather afterward for cookies and coffee at the Allee Mansion. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Newell Historical Society, P.O. Box 5, Newell, IA 50568.

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North Iowa remembrance and obituary
Obits

Thomas Fitzpatrick, 79, leaves a legacy of wrestling glory, Navy service and remarkable adventures

ALGONA — Thomas James “Tom” Fitzpatrick, 79, of Algona, a state champion wrestler, U.S. Navy veteran, former law enforcement officer and lifelong adventurer whose remarkable experiences included a nationally publicized river rescue, passed away November 2, 2026. From the wrestling mats of northern Iowa to the Mediterranean Sea and the waterways he loved, Fitzpatrick built a life rich in experiences, friendships and stories.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026, at New Hope Church in Algona. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the service at 10:30 a.m.

Interment of his ashes, with military honors, will take place privately with family members in the spring of 2027.

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