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News Headlines for August 5, 2026

Top Stories

Charles City man takes plea deal in assault and indecent exposure cases

CHARLES CITY — A Charles City man accused of assault and sexual misconduct earlier this year has admitted guilt in two Floyd County criminal cases, including a negotiated plea that resulted in a 20-day jail sentence.

Cam Davidson Grubbs, 18, entered guilty pleas following his April arrest by Charles City police.

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Top Stories

Mason City lands prestigious honor shared by just three Iowa communities

MASON CITY — Mason City has been named a 2026 All-Star Community for transforming an overgrown and underused stretch of Willow Creek into a downtown destination blending nature, recreation, art and architecture.

The Iowa League of Cities selected Mason City for its River City Riverwalk and Waterfront District. Mason City was one of only three winners chosen from among Iowa’s 940 cities, joining West Branch and Story City.

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Business

Iowa crops hold strong after brutal heat and wildly uneven rainfall

DES MOINES — Iowa’s corn and soybean crops remained in strong condition as farmers endured extreme heat, record-setting humidity and rainfall totals that varied dramatically across the state during the week ending August 2, 2026.

The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report showed 80 percent of the corn crop and 78 percent of soybeans rated in good-to-excellent condition.

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Obits

Lyle Quam, 93, of Mason City, remembered as the brother everyone should have

MASON CITY — Lyle C. Quam, 93, a devoted husband, father, military veteran and longtime Mason City worker remembered for his helpful hands and playful sense of humor, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, with Pastor Beverly Butler officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, August 6, at Major Erickson Funeral Home. The family will also receive visitors for one hour before Friday’s service at the church.

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Obits

Forest City remembers Sharon Renshaw, 89, for her kind heart and devotion to family

FOREST CITY — Sharon Kay Renshaw, 89, a devoted farm wife and mother whose life was grounded in faith, family and love, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society in Forest City.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 5, at Schott Funeral Home, 505 North Clark Street in Forest City, with Harlan Nyhus officiating. Visitation will begin one hour before the service.

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Crime

ACLU targets police presence in Iowa schools, demands districts eliminate resource officers

DES MOINES — The ACLU of Iowa is demanding that schools eliminate their resource-officer programs, a sweeping proposal that would remove armed law enforcement officers from campuses despite concerns that doing so could leave children and school employees less protected during a violent emergency – and good kids and teachers at the mercy kids no better than Scooby Doo villians.

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Politics

Trump administration probes “transgender dolls” aimed at children as young as 4 in Minnesota schools

MINNEAPOLIS — A controversial project offering gender-identity dolls with interchangeable body parts to educators working with children as young as 4 has triggered a federal investigation and renewed concerns that radical gender ideology is being pushed into classrooms without parents’ knowledge or consent.

The U.S. Department of Education announced July 29 that it had opened an investigation into the Minnesota Department of Education following a complaint submitted on behalf of parents by Defending Education.

At the center of the controversy are “MyGender Dolls,” described by their creators as a play-based therapeutic resource for transgender and “gender diverse” children between the ages of 4 and 10.

Iowa, a deep-red state, is so far holding these types of programs outside our borders…

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Obits

Estherville mourns the loss of Lori Gilbert, remembered for her caring heart and love of family

ESTHERVILLE — Lori Gilbert, 76, of Estherville, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Avera Holy Family Hospital, leaving behind a life marked by service, compassion and a deep love for her family and community.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.

Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel.

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Business

Cerro Gordo supervisors deny marina driveway request, approve Rockwell road payment

MASON CITY — The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors handled a brief agenda Monday morning, denying a driveway request tied to a local marina development, approving payment for a Rockwell road project, authorizing a payroll change in the Information Technology Department, and signing off on more than $310,000 in county claims during its July 27 meeting.

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Obits

Manly mourns the loss of Karen Marie Severson, remembered for her quiet kindness and devotion to family

MANLY — Karen Marie Severson, 88, of Manly, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospital in Mason City, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith and selfless service to her family and community.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Manly.

A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with Pastor Linda Johnson Prestholt officiating. A luncheon will follow before burial at Woodbury Cemetery in Lyle, Minnesota.

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Obits

Spencer bids farewell to adventurous nurse and devoted family woman Mary Ann Olson, 85

SPENCER — Mary Ann Olson, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and nurse whose adventurous spirit carried her from Iowa farm life to the Grand Canyon, RAGBRAI and countless journeys with her husband, died Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Spencer Hospital. She was 85.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 2, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel, 401 North Seventh Street in Estherville.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 3, at Wallingford Lutheran Church, 221 Saint James Avenue in Wallingford.

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Obits

Richard George Reed, 80, of Manly, remembered as devoted family man, Army veteran and lifelong outdoorsman

MANLY — Richard George Reed, 80, of Manly, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 30, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He is remembered as a devoted family man, proud U.S. Army veteran and lifelong outdoorsman whose love for family, fishing and friendship touched those around him.

The family will hold a celebration of Rich’s life at a later date.

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