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New apartments, retail and office space planned for fire-scarred Kirk Apartments site in downtown Mason City

MASON CITY — A downtown Mason City site once marked by a major apartment-house fire is now being lined up for new life, with plans calling for apartments, retail or office space and parking near North Federal Avenue and 2nd Street Northwest.

The project, known as Kirk Multifamily, is planned for the northwest corner of North Federal Avenue and 2nd Street Northwest, on the site of the former Kirk Apartments (pictured at top, and bottom in June, 2026).

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Trump administration says Iran deal could be big win for Iowa farmers, but Tehran disputes terms

WASHINGTON — A developing U.S.-Iran financial arrangement could become a major new market opportunity for Iowa farmers if the Trump administration’s description of the deal holds, though Iranian officials are already pushing back on the details.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. Treasury will oversee frozen Iranian funds when they are released under President Donald Trump’s interim Iran agreement. The administration is touting the arrangement as a way to direct money toward food and medical purchases, including potential purchases of American agricultural products.

That could matter in a big way for Iowa.

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