BEIJING – Merrill Newman, an 85-year-old American from California who has been detained in North Korea since Oct. 26, was released Friday. According to a State Department spokeswoman, officials from the US…
Day: December 6, 2013
Snow and bitterly cold weather could combine for tricky driving this weekend
AMES, Iowa – Dec. 6, 2013 – Although the forecast only calls for a few inches of snow over most of Iowa this weekend, motorists haven’t had a lot of practice this…
UNI to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela
CEDAR FALLS – The University of Northern Iowa will host a service in remembrance of Nelson Mandela from noon to 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, at the Center for Multicultural Education (CME)….
Iowa hunting laws upheld by Supreme Court
DES MOINES – The Iowa Supreme Court upheld today a ruling by a lower court that says owning land is not enough reason to be able to hunt on the land. Three…
Sheriffs arrest three men Thursday after North End traffic stop
MASON CITY – In yet another North End traffic stop, three men were arrested by sheriff’s deputies on various crimes. Thursday evening at about 8:21 PM, Cerro Gordo county sheriff’s deputies stopped…
Animal Rescue League removes 55 exotic birds from Des Moines shooter’s house
DES MOINES – A Des Moines man who fired shots at passers-by and police and ultimately died from being shot himself had a large number of animals removed from his home in…
Gabby Giffords starts anti-gun pact with remaining funds from congressional campaign account
WASHINGTON – A former congresswoman who was shot in the head nearly three years ago has started a political action committee (PAC) to fight for gun control laws and support anti-gun candidates….
Branstad names new communications director
DES MOINES – Tim Albrecht, who has served as Gov. Branstad’s communications director since November of 2009, is departing the Branstad-Reynolds administration to pursue a new private sector opportunity. Albrecht’s last day…
Ted Cruz fights for right of cheerleaders to display religious banners
WASHINGTON, DC – This week U.S. Senators John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, submitted a joint amicus brief to the Ninth Court of Appeals in Texas in Kountze Independent School District…
Twelve no-contact violations, new felony charge leveled against young M.C. man
MASON CITY – A young Mason City man who has been charged with three felonies in 2013 is now facing a new felony charge Thursday. Cody Dean Dakin was wanted on charges…
Guantanamo Bay detainee transferred to Algeria
WASHINGTON – The Department of Defense announced on Dec. 5 the transfer of Djamel Saiid Ali Ameziane and Bensayah Belkecem from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Algeria….
White House expounds on benefits of extending unemployment insurance
From the White House: The United States economy continues to recover from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and while substantial progress has been made, more work remains to boost…
U.S., Israel discuss Iran in high level talks
JERUSALEM – Secretary of State John Kerry met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday in Jerusalem for talks on the Iranian nuclear issue and the on-going peace talks with Palestine. The following…
President proclaims December 7th National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Proclamation from President Barack Obama – More than seven decades ago, on a calm Sunday morning, our Nation was attacked without warning or provocation. The bombs that fell on the island of…
California border patrol officers discover $600,000 worth of cocaine hidden in vehicle
Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico, Calif. downtown port of entry yesterday discovered almost $600,000 worth of cocaine concealed inside a vehicle. The incident occurred…
American now held in Cuba for four years
WASHINGTON – U.S. officials marked the fourth year of incarceration of an American man being held captive in Cuba. According to the State Department, development worker Alan Gross began a fifth year…
Smuggler nabbed in Arizona
TUSCON, AZ – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents remained vigilant during the Thanksgiving holiday as evidenced by the seizure of nearly $500,000 in illegal drugs. The first seizure occurred Nov. 26 in…
Iowa Crafts: 41 Exhibition to open at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum
MASON CITY – Iowa Crafts: 41 opens on Friday, December 6 at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum in Mason City. This diverse exhibition is the result of a statewide crafts competition…
Alliant Energy Foundation offers Community Service Scholarships
MADISON, Wis. – December 5, 2013 –For the 9th consecutive year, the Alliant Energy Foundation is offering high school seniors in its utility service area the opportunity to apply for one of 25 Community Service…
Pentagon reductions ‘first step’ in realigning defense spending, Hagel says
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr., American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON – The Defense Department’s senior leaders announced changes this week in the Office of the Secretary of Defense…
One month after drones report, administration still fails to explain killings
(WASHINGTON D.C.) – A month has passed since Amnesty International released its report, “Will I Be Next?’ US Drone Strikes in Pakistan,” but the Obama Administration still has not publicly acknowledged and…
Big Ten sets football attendance marks
CHICAGO – The Big Ten established a new conference record for total attendance among all games and conference games only this season. After welcoming more than 430,000 fans to conference venues last…