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Founded on Oct. 1, 2010

News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region
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Author: NIT Publisher

NorthIowaToday.com Publisher Welcome to NIT, North Iowa's only true watchdog media. NIT was founded on October 1, 2010.

Franklin County supervisors certify primary election results, set ordinance hearings at June 9 meeting

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HAMPTON — The Franklin County Board of Supervisors certified the June 2 primary election results, moved forward with two ordinance amendment hearings, discussed battery storage facilities and reviewed several county policy and building matters during its regular meeting on June 9, 2026.

County candidates nominated in the primary were Larry Sailer, Republican, Board of Supervisors District 1; Richard Lukensmeyer, Republican, Board of Supervisors District 2; Andrea Miller, Republican, County Attorney; Heather Bushbaum, Republican, County Recorder; and Chad Murray, Republican, County Treasurer.

County offices without a Democratic Party nominee were Board of Supervisors District 1, Board of Supervisors District 2, County Attorney, County Recorder and County Treasurer. No Republican county offices were listed as lacking a party nominee.

Worth County supervisors approve drainage bid, claims, sheriff’s labor agreement at June 9 meeting

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NORTHWOOD — The Worth County Board of Supervisors approved a drainage district bid, county claims, a sheriff’s office labor agreement and the official canvass of the June 2 primary election during its regular meeting on June 9, 2026.

The board approved a request to use the courthouse grounds from June 26 through July 5 for the 11th Annual 99 County Bible Reading.

Iowa to shift state IT work to AWS and Cognizant, raising job-loss concerns for about 200 workers

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DES MOINES — Iowa’s state government technology operations are headed for a major private-sector overhaul, with Gov. Kim Reynolds announcing that the state will move executive branch data to Amazon Web Services and turn day-to-day IT operations over to Cognizant Government Solutions.

The Reynolds administration says the move will modernize Iowa’s aging technology systems, improve cybersecurity, reduce reliance on physical servers and data centers, and save taxpayers more than $525 million over the next 10 years.

But the change also raises immediate questions about the future of roughly 200 state employees who currently work in the Iowa Department of Management’s Division of Information Technology. According to the governor’s office, those workers are expected to receive “individualized, competitive job offers” from Cognizant later this month.

Trump administration says global birth tourism networks exposed as citizenship fight heads through courts

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department says American embassies have uncovered and shut down international birth tourism networks involving hundreds of foreign nationals accused of using fraudulent documents, visa fixers and coaching operations to get into the United States so their children would be born as American citizens.

The issue strikes directly at one of the country’s hottest immigration debates: birthright citizenship.

“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the State Department said, framing the crackdown as part of an effort to defend the integrity of American citizenship.

According to the department, a U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network involving more than 100 foreign nationals accused of using fraudulent documents and visa “fixers” to obtain visas. The department said those visas were revoked and that U.S. officials are coordinating with local authorities to identify and cut off similar operations.

Central Iowa water warning raises questions about drinking water safety, scarcity in Northern Iowa

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MASON CITY — A mandatory lawn watering ban in Central Iowa is drawing new attention to a question that matters in every Iowa community: how safe, reliable and plentiful is the state’s drinking water?

Mason City’s public drinking water system is supplied by groundwater. Unlike Central Iowa Water Works, which is dealing with high nitrate levels in river and infiltration-gallery source water, Mason City’s system does not appear to be facing the same public nitrate emergency.

Public EPA-based records list no current open health-based violations for Mason City’s water system. That means the city’s drinking water is meeting current federal legal standards.

However, legal compliance does not mean the water is completely free of contaminants…

Grant helps NIACC launch small business incubator program for North Iowa entrepreneurs

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MASON CITY — A federal rural business grant has helped North Iowa Area Community College launch a new small business incubator program aimed at helping entrepreneurs move beyond an idea and into the day-to-day work of building a sustainable company.

The first Venture Launch Lab cohort brought together 11 businesses and 14 entrepreneurs from across North Iowa. The participants represented a variety of communities and industries, highlighting the role small businesses continue to play in the region’s rural economy. The cohort completed the program with a pitch competition on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Seven teams chose to compete before a panel of judges, with cash prizes awarded to several North Iowa entrepreneurs.

U.S. and Japan reaffirm nuclear-backed military alliance as threats rise from China, Russia and North Korea

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TOKYO — The United States and Japan, two of the world’s most important military allies, reaffirmed this week that America’s commitment to defend Japan includes the possible use of nuclear weapons if necessary.

The pledge came during the June 2026 U.S.-Japan Extended Deterrence Dialogue, held June 8-9 at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. According to a joint statement released by the two governments, the United States “reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of Japan, using the full range of U.S. defense capabilities, including nuclear.”

Iowa Ag Secretary Naig Presents Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Nieuwendorp Family of Lyon County at the 2026 World Pork Expo

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DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to Nathan and Jacklyn Nieuwendorp of Lyon County during a ceremony held at the 38th annual World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The prestigious statewide award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for their livestock and the environment while serving as good neighbors and community leaders.

Reynolds creates Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation as state pushes parks, trails and tourism economy

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DES MOINES — Iowa is making a formal push to grow its outdoor recreation economy, with Governor Kim Reynolds signing an executive order establishing a new Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Reynolds issued Executive Order 19 during a press conference at Lake Ahquabi State Park near Indianola. The new office will operate as an extension of the Iowa Tourism Office, which is part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Brad Flo, 75, dies; Kensett storyteller, firefighter and proud Papa leaves legacy of wit and service

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KENSETT — Bradley “Brad” Ronald Flo, 75, of Kensett, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2026, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Hoff Celebrations-Sites Memorial Chapel in Northwood, and again one hour before the service Monday at the church.

Donald Marvin, 73, dies; Charles City veteran leaves legacy of family, music and friendship

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CHARLES CITY — Donald Dean Marvin, a Charles City native, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, father, grandfather and friend to many, died Monday, June 8, 2026, at 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City. He was 73.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City, with Erik Hoefer officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service Saturday at the funeral home.

University of Iowa seeks approval for new field hockey building, major Carver-Hawkeye Arena renovation

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IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa is seeking approval from the Iowa Board of Regents to move forward with planning for two major athletics facility projects, including a new field hockey operations building and a proposed modernization of Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The field hockey project would create a new operations building next to Grant Field, giving one of Iowa’s most successful programs a dedicated home for team activities. The project carries an estimated budget of $8.65 million and would be paid for entirely through donor support.

If approved, construction on the field hockey building is expected to begin this summer, with completion targeted for summer 2027.

Iowa crops hold strong after timely rains, but hotter weather looms

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DES MOINES — Iowa farmers got some late-week rain relief as corn and soybean development continued to move along at a strong pace, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for June 1-7, 2026.

The weekly report, released June 8 by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, showed Iowa had 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week. That is slightly above the 4.7 days reported during the same week last year.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said showers and thunderstorms late last week helped drier parts of the state, especially across southern and eastern Iowa.

New Hampton woman Sharon Kay Johnson dies at 85, leaves legacy of family, independence and simple joys

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NEW HAMPTON — Sharon Kay Johnson, a lifelong New Hampton woman whose world centered on family, home, humor and the simple pleasures that made everyday life meaningful, died peacefully on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Accura HealthCare of New Hampton. She was 85.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. A 7:00 p.m. service will follow the visitation, with Rev. Cory Orr of Prairie Lakes Church presiding. A private family interment will take place at New Hampton Cemetery.

Mason City man Randy Hoel dies at 77, leaves legacy of family, devotion and quiet strength

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MASON CITY — Randall Lee “Randy” Hoel, a Mason City man whose life was centered on family, loyalty and the steady bonds built over a lifetime, died Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Heritage Care Center in Mason City. He was 77.

Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2026, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street Northeast in Mason City. A private graveside service will be held.

Clarence Baalson, 92, dies; Clear Lake man honored with final farewell in Mason City

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CLEAR LAKE — Clarence H. Baalson, 92, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, June 6, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Mason City, with Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the church.

Clear Lake woman Mary Ann Hendricks dies at 95, leaves legacy of faith, learning, service and love

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CLEAR LAKE — Mary Ann Hendricks, a Clear Lake woman whose long life was filled with faith, books, teaching, art, service, family and a deep love of nature, died June 6, 2026, at Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell. She was 95.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2026, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake, with Rev. Josh Link officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until the service. Inurnment will take place later at Clear Lake Cemetery.