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Anonymous tip could bring consequences for Northern Iowa property owner after dozens of buried tires uncovered
An anonymous tip about tires allegedly buried beneath concrete at a rural Northern Iowa property has turned into a state environmental investigation that could bring consequences for one of the responsible land owners after dozens of tires were eventually dug up and hauled away.
State records show the DNR received an anonymous complaint on August 24 alleging that tires had been buried at the property during cleanup work and that concrete from an old foundation had been placed over them.
The complaint identified Zachary Knutson, who told investigators he had partial ownership of the property.
DNR hammers Northern Iowa turkey operation with $5,000 penalty after repeated violations
GRAFTON — A Northern Iowa turkey operation housing more than 55,000 birds has been hit with a $5,000 Iowa Department of Natural Resources penalty after regulators said the business repeatedly failed to meet state manure-management filing requirements despite years of warnings and an earlier fine.
Dalluge Turkey Farm, LLP operates an animal feeding operation at 301 4th Street in Grafton in Worth County.
Worth supervisors move toward TIF funding for RV park, new county administration building
NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors are taking another major step toward two significant county projects, setting a public hearing on a proposal that would allow tax increment financing to help pay for a new RV park and a new county administration building.
Cerro Gordo supervisors back Highway 122 improvements, approve $447,680 in claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors backed a pair of Mason City transportation funding efforts, approved nearly $448,000 in county claims and spent more than half an hour behind closed doors during their Tuesday, September 8 meeting.
Northern Iowa rains offer relief as area farmers prepare for harvest
Much-needed rainfall reached parts of Northern Iowa during an unusually hot opening week of September as farmers across the state continued preparing for corn and soybean harvest.
The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report shows farmers had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 6, while corn and soybean development continued toward maturity.
“The first week of September was one of the hottest on record, setting up some muggy conditions for attendees at the Farm Progress Show,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said.
North Iowa housing projects score $2.26 million in tax credits for 133 new units
MASON CITY — Four housing developments in Mason City, Clear Lake and Ventura are in line for more than $2.25 million in state workforce housing tax credits, supporting 133 new residential units in Cerro Gordo County as part of a nearly $40 million statewide housing push announced Tuesday.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced $39.84 million in Workforce Housing Tax Credits on September 8 for 69 projects expected to produce 2,093 new residential units across 39 Iowa counties.
North Iowa grabbed a sizable piece of that investment.
Mason City seeks state money for Highway 122-South Taft improvements, new trail connection
MASON CITY — Mason City is pursuing state transportation money for improvements at the busy intersection of Iowa Highway 122 and South Taft Avenue, with Cerro Gordo County officials throwing their support behind the effort.
The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors is being asked to support two city funding applications tied to improvements at the western Mason City gateway.
Cerro Gordo supervisors accept $302,034 Rockwell site work, approve nearly $398,000 in claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors formally accepted completed site work at the Rockwell Secondary Roads Maintenance Facility, set a September public hearing on a proposed rural road vacation and approved nearly $398,000 in county claims during their Monday, August 31 meeting.
Iowa nuclear task force calls for statewide reactor search, incentives and “nuclear-ready” communities
DES MOINES — Iowa should begin searching for possible nuclear reactor sites, prepare communities to host nuclear facilities, expand worker training and consider state incentives capable of attracting billions of dollars in nuclear investment, according to a sweeping new report delivered to Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Iowa corn and soybeans remain 77% good to excellent as late-summer heat pushes crops
DES MOINES — Iowa farmers closed out August with corn and soybean conditions holding strong as warmer weather accelerated crop development across much of the state.
The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report shows both corn and soybeans rated 77 percent good to excellent for the week ending August 30.
Farmers had 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, slightly below the 6.3 days available during the same period last year.
Alliant ordered to cut natural gas rate, Northern Iowa customers could see relief on bills
DES MOINES – More than 200,000 Iowa households served by Alliant Energy are in line for a permanent reduction in their natural gas rates after state regulators reviewed the utility’s actual expenses and revenues following a previous rate increase.
The Iowa Utilities Commission ordered Interstate Power and Light Company, Alliant Energy’s Iowa subsidiary, to reduce residential natural gas rates by more than $2.5 million.
NIACC sports expansion prompts Mason City to move future water tower site
MASON CITY — NIACC’s expanding athletic complex is prompting Mason City to relocate land reserved for a future water tower on the city’s east side, with the City Council set to consider a land swap involving the college and NIACC Foundation.
The council will hold a public hearing Tuesday, September 1, on transferring city-owned property to North Iowa Area Community College and acquiring replacement property from NIACC and the NIACC Foundation.
The unusual land exchange stems directly from NIACC’s new baseball and softball complex.
Iowa lands $135.7 million payday as Meta agrees to sweeping protections for children
DES MOINES — Iowa is set to collect more than $135 million from social-media giant Meta under a landmark multistate settlement that will also force major changes to how Facebook and Instagram treat children and teenagers.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced the settlement Wednesday, calling it a major victory in the state’s fight against Big Tech.
Cerro Gordo supervisors award $2.26 million road contract, approve $352,442 in claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors awarded a more than $2.26 million road construction contract Monday for a resurfacing and recycling project leading toward Mason City, while also approving more than $352,000 in county claims.
Mitchell County supervisors approve $100,000 server project, hire zoning administrator and prepare to replace sheriff’s K9
OSAGE — Mitchell County supervisors approved up to $100,000 for a major computer-server upgrade, adopted a new county ordinance, hired a planning and zoning administrator and learned that the sheriff’s office will
Long-planned Des Moines soccer stadium development skids to a halt after city walks away
DES MOINES — A massive economic development project years in the making has hit the rocks in Iowa’s capital city, with Des Moines officials pulling the plug on negotiations for a proposed professional soccer stadium and surrounding entertainment district after concluding the city could no longer afford the deal.
The City of Des Moines announced Wednesday, August 26, 2026, that it has ended seven years of negotiations with the Krause Group over redevelopment of the former DICO industrial site southwest of downtown (the area in Des Moines is pictured at top).
Floyd County weighs higher burial assistance as funeral costs climb
CHARLES CITY — Floyd County officials are considering increasing the amount the county will pay toward burials and cremations for qualifying residents after learning that only one funeral home currently accepts the county’s existing rate.
The Floyd County Board of Supervisors discussed the issue during its August 25 meeting after Public Health Director Gail Arjes presented an update on the county’s General Assistance program.
Winnebago County pays $247K paving bill, approves $388K in claims as recycling cameras eyed
FOREST CITY, IOWA — Winnebago County supervisors approved more than $388,000 in claims, including a massive $247,178.59 construction payment, while officials reported the Rice Lake road project complete and began exploring cameras at rural recycling sites.
North Iowa business standouts named finalists for 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala
MASON CITY – Some of North Iowa’s most ambitious business owners, rising entrepreneurs and innovative companies will take center stage when the NIACC Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center holds its 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala.
The sixth biennial gala will take place Thursday, September 24, 2026, at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.
Hancock County supervisors advance Riverhawk pipeline work, road safety plan, property sales and $688,839 in claims
GARNER — Hancock County supervisors moved ahead with work tied to an Alliant Energy gas pipeline, sought state funding for road-worker safety equipment, prepared county property and farmland for sale or lease, installed a new courthouse maintenance director and approved nearly $689,000 in county claims during meetings held from August 4 through August 24.