BUSINESS
Winnebago supervisors approve lawsuit settlement, $155,470 excavator deal at October 20 meeting
FOREST CITY — The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, approved a settlement in two court cases involving Tom and Valerie Dillavou, authorized an excavator purchase with a $155,470 balance after trade-in, and approved itemized claims totaling $622,208.84.
Cerro Gordo supervisors pledge $25,000 to One Vision, approve $515,225 in claims at October 26 meeting
MASON CITY — The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors on Monday, October 26, 2026, unanimously approved $515,224.99 in claims, pledged $25,000 toward a One Vision project if a state grant is awarded, and authorized a temporary Cedar Avenue closure near Clear Lake for sanitary district work.
Iowa tourism generates $11.3 billion in economic impact as visitor numbers hit record
Iowa visitors spent $7.6 billion in 2025, supporting 72,196 jobs and generating $1.2 billion in state and local taxes, according to a new tourism study.
Iowa sets 2027 overdue tax interest rate at 9 percent
Iowa’s overdue tax interest rate will be 9 percent annually starting January 1, 2027. The Department of Revenue lists a 0.8 percent monthly rate and explains the calculation.
Forest City chiropractor turns business dream into reality, earns NIACC entrepreneur honor
FOREST CITY — Dr. Joeli Koenig knew during chiropractic college that she wanted a business of her own. After gaining experience working in Mason City, she took the leap in Forest City — and now her newly opened practice has earned a Northern Iowa entrepreneurial honor.
Iowa corn harvest just 26% complete as wet fields keep farmers behind
Iowa farmers remain roughly two weeks behind their normal harvest pace, with corn harvest 26 percent complete and soybeans at 57 percent. Eagle Grove recorded the state’s highest weekly rainfall as wet fields continued to slow work.
Cerro Gordo supervisors approve $423,739 in claims, authorize DNR agreement
Cerro Gordo County supervisors approved $423,738.99 in county claims and authorized an agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources during a six-minute meeting Monday, October 19, 2026.
Iowa Social Security recipients to see 3.6% increase in 2027
Iowa residents receiving Social Security will see their benefits increase 3.6% in 2027, with retirement benefits rising an average of about $75 a month nationwide.
Reynolds touts Iowa revenue growth as state forecasts $8.54 billion in receipts
Gov. Kim Reynolds credited Republican fiscal policies for Iowa’s improving revenue outlook Friday, pointing to projections of $8.54 billion in General Fund receipts this fiscal year and further growth next year.
Cerro Gordo County to weigh agreement putting private wells and groundwater protection under local oversight
MASON CITY — Protecting Northern Iowa’s underground water supplies will be on the agenda Monday as Cerro Gordo County supervisors consider an agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources spelling out responsibility for permitting, inspecting and enforcing standards for private water wells.
Supervisors are scheduled to consider the agreement Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Conference Room. The proposed arrangement covers private water well construction, reconstruction and abandonment.
Northern Iowa housing, child care projects land grants in $385,000 state package
DES MOINES — A $20,000 grant will help Algona identify solutions to local child care needs, while Eldora will receive $50,000 to clear deteriorating houses and prepare sites for new homes under a state funding package aimed at strengthening rural Iowa communities.
The two awards total $70,000 and are part of $385,000 in Empower Rural Iowa grants announced October 13, 2026, by Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Fifteen communities will receive funding for housing, child care planning and community development.
For Northern Iowa, the awards target practical obstacles to growth: finding care for children and making room for housing that working families can afford.
Bank of America slapped with $1.21 billion in penalties after federal investigators uncover $5 billion in suspicious transactions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bank of America has been hit with more than $1.21 billion in federal penalties after investigators uncovered sweeping failures in the banking giant’s anti-money laundering operations, including more than $5 billion in suspicious transactions that were not reported to authorities on time.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the enforcement actions Tuesday, October 13, 2026, accusing the nation’s second-largest bank of maintaining ineffective financial crime safeguards despite years of warnings and previous regulatory intervention.
Northern Iowa farmers race to catch up as corn and soybean harvest falls weeks behind normal pace
Iowa farmers are making up lost ground after weeks of heavy rainfall disrupted the fall harvest, but the latest agricultural figures reveal just how far behind the state’s two biggest crops remain as October moves toward its midpoint.
Only 14 percent of Iowa’s corn crop and 31 percent of its soybean crop had been harvested as of Sunday, October 11, according to the USDA’s latest Crop Progress and Condition Report, released Tuesday, October 13.
Cerro Gordo supervisors shift $2.6 million, review manure plan and approve $327,653 in claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors moved $2.6 million between county funds, approved a rural zoning change and authorized a drainage inspection in a seven-minute meeting Monday, October 12, 2026. The board also forwarded a manure management review involving a Northern Iowa hog operation to state regulators and approved $327,652.96 in itemized county claims.
Worth County supervisors advance $6 million borrowing plan for new administration building, approve $1.3 million in bills
NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors took another major step toward financing a new county administration building Monday, October 12, 2026, unanimously approving a resolution that advances plans to issue up to $6 million in general obligation bonds while also approving more than $1.3 million in county and drainage claims.
Millions in federal funding flow to Iowa businesses as Northern Iowa manufacturers, hospitals cash in on USDA program
DES MOINES — The federal government is pumping nearly $13 million into Iowa businesses, manufacturers, hospitals and community projects, including several major investments in Northern Iowa, as part of a new round of economic development assistance announced Friday, October 9, 2026.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the funding through its Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program, with projects ranging from factory expansions and medical equipment purchases to new healthcare facilities and agricultural infrastructure.
Winnebago County weighs tougher solar, data center rules as supervisors appoint new EMS coordinator
FOREST CITY — Winnebago County supervisors are continuing work on possible new zoning rules covering solar projects, data centers and other large developments while also appointing a new county EMS coordinator and approving nearly $30,000 in claims.
Cerro Gordo supervisors pull solar drainage review items, approve $377,447 in county claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors removed two items tied to a massive proposed solar project from Monday’s agenda before approving more than $377,000 in county claims and several payroll changes.
Five Iowa Main Street businesses win $75,000 in state grants to fuel growth
OSCEOLA — Five Iowa small businesses are getting a fresh boost after winning a combined $75,000 in state grants through the 2026 Open 4 Business competition, a Main Street Iowa program aimed at helping downtown businesses expand.
The finalists came from Clarence, Elkader, Marion, Fort Dodge and Newton and pitched their growth plans Monday evening in downtown Osceola.
