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MASON CITY – A young North Iowa entrepreneur who turned a personal truck problem into a growing business has been recognized by the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center.
Jordan Klooster of Klooster Flaps in Garner has been named the May 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.
CHARLES CITY — A Charles City pharmaceutical manufacturer is planning a major expansion that is expected to create more than 100 jobs and bring $150 million in new capital investment to the community.
Cambrex Charles City, Inc., a subsidiary of New Jersey-based Cambrex Corporation, plans to construct a new 7,700-square-foot facility in Charles City. The project is intended to increase the company’s production capacity by 40%.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board approved $10,132,500 in tax credits for the project through the state’s Business Incentives for Growth program.
MITCHELL COUNTY — Two people were taken to the hospital after a crash Wednesday afternoon at Highway 218 and 480th Street in Mitchell County.
DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law dealing with the display of flags at half-staff on public buildings, along with a long list of other bills covering issues such as human trafficking, public records, child placements, window tint, nonresident deer licenses and social districts for alcoholic beverages.
MASON CITY — North Iowa Area Community College has announced that 1,146 students have been named to the 2026 spring term President’s List and Dean’s List.
The honored students represent 104 Iowa communities, 15 states outside Iowa and 18 countries outside the United States. Students are listed by hometown.
CHARLES CITY — A Minnesota man was stopped by police in Charles City after they say he was driving without headlights on a recent morning, and he apparently didn’t go quietly when told he was under arrest.
A Kansas woman arrested in March on a criminal warrant has been convicted of felony theft in northern Iowa.
CHARLES CITY — A juvenile riding an electric bicycle on a sidewalk suffered minor injuries after crashing into a Honda Civic in Charles City.
CHARLES CITY — A Charles City woman was arrested on a felony theft warrant after police conducted a traffic stop earlier this month.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on May 7, 2026, that retailers authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will be required to carry a broader variety of staple foods under a new final rule, what the agency calls “real foods”.
MASON CITY — The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors set a public hearing for a fiscal year 2026 budget amendment during its regular meeting on May 11, 2026.
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said China remains the United States’ top geopolitical challenge as President Donald Trump and senior U.S. officials headed to Beijing for high-level talks.
In a May 14, 2026, interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News Channel aboard Air Force One, Rubio described China as both America’s biggest geopolitical challenge and one of the most important relationships for Washington to manage. He said the two countries will continue to have conflicting interests, but also said diplomacy is needed to avoid war and maintain global stability.
A Wisconsin man arrested earlier this year after deputies received multiple reports of a vehicle in a Fayette County ditch has entered a guilty plea in the case, court records show, and this is not his first brush with drunk driving here.
CHARLES CITY — The Floyd County Board of Supervisors approved a county budget amendment, set a public hearing on conservation-area rules and noted a conservation department resignation during its regular meeting on May 12, 2026.
VENTURA — Authorities are investigating after a body was found Wednesday afternoon in Clear Lake near McIntosh State Park.
IOWA CITY — Shoppers in Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty will begin paying a 1% Local Option Sales Tax on taxable purchases starting July 1, 2026. The new tax, commonly called LOST, was approved by voters in November 2025. It will be added to Iowa’s 6% state sales tax, bringing the total sales tax rate in the three communities to 7% on taxable goods and services.
Mason City has used LOST for years to fund projects in the community and was most recently renewed in 2022.
The fawn appears to be either leucistic or albino. Both are genetic pigment conditions that can cause white coloration in deer. White deer are extremely rare in Iowa, representing far less than 1% of the state’s deer population. According to the DNR, they appear roughly once in every 30,000 deer.
The DNR said it is monitoring the situation and wants the public to enjoy the unusual sight from a distance. Officials said people should not approach the fawn or attempt to touch, move or feed it.
CHARLES CITY — Trisha Barnish, a Charles City woman remembered for her family devotion and local business ownership, died Sunday, May 10, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. She was 62.
DES MOINES — Early voting opened Wednesday, May 13, for Iowa’s June 2 primary election, giving voters the option to cast ballots before Election Day either in person at their county auditor’s office or by absentee ballot through the mail.
A Northern Iowa man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a crash involving a pickup and a farm tractor on Highway 20, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
“With Pioneer’s century-long legacy in seed genetics, Vylor’s roots are in Iowa, and our state will also be the foundation for its future,” Reynolds said. “This decision further validates Iowa’s leadership in agriculture, bioscience, and innovation.”
NORTHWOOD – The Worth County Board of Supervisors approved several drainage-related items, set a public hearing on a fiscal year 2026 budget amendment and approved a fireworks permit during its May 11 meeting.
FOREST CITY – The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors set a public hearing for a budget amendment, appointed an engineer for drainage work and discussed road maintenance matters during its May 5 meeting.
CHARLES CITY – The Floyd County Board of Supervisors approved several routine items May 5 and heard a presentation on Iowa’s restructured Behavioral Health System.
A Minnesota man who stole cattle from a farmer and sold them in Northern Iowa pled guilty on May 8, 2026, in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lawrence “Larry” Patrick Burns, age 48, from Eitzen, Minnesota, was convicted of one count of transportation of stolen livestock.
“In the Lower 48, the black bear population is gradually expanding throughout its former region,” said Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer and wetland biologist for the Iowa DNR. “Last spring, we had three bears, this year one or two. We’re not living with bears, but our neighbors are – and it’s something we might have to deal with in the next 10 years.”
Since 2014, Iowa has consistently had two to three bears wandering through each year.
DES MOINES — Iowa farmers made significant planting progress last week as mostly dry weather gave them nearly a full week of fieldwork, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report.
The report, covering May 4 through May 10, showed Iowa farmers had 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork. That was slightly more than the same week last year and allowed producers to keep corn, soybean and oat planting moving across the state.
CHARLES CITY — A 16-year-old male juvenile was taken into custody after Charles City police investigated a reported motor vehicle theft.
CLERMONT — A Northern Iowa man was arrested Saturday night after a single-vehicle crash in Fayette County.
SIOUX CITY — A Honduran national with prior convictions for methamphetamine delivery and illegal reentry into the United States has been sentenced to federal prison after again unlawfully returning to the country, according to federal authorities.
POCAHONTAS COUNTY – Pocahontas County authorities arrested three individuals following the execution of a search warrant at a Pocahontas residence late last month.
SIOUX CITY – This Mason City meth dealer with a decorated past criminal history was nabbed selling his poison to an undercover agent and not faces a long stretch in a federal prison.
FAYETTE COUNTY — Several people were arrested in separate incidents reported by a Northern Iowa sheriff’s office between May 8 and May 10.
“After months of negotiations, we delivered a property tax reform package that finally puts the taxpayers first and delivers real, tangible relief for taxpayers to the tune of roughly $350 million next year and about $4 billion over 6 years,” said Rep. Henry Stone of Forest City. “SF 2472 delivers certainty for the taxpayer and real tax relief. This proposal contains provisions to …”
LEWIS, IOWA — An 18-year-old Minnesota woman died Saturday evening following a single-vehicle rollover accident in rural Cass County. The Iowa State Patrol has identified the deceased as Cierra Jo Bullock of Glencoe, Minnesota.
Three Northern Iowa residents were injured Wednesday afternoon in a two-vehicle collision that authorities attributed to the use of a mobile device.
MASON CITY — A Thursday morning house fire in Mason City was quickly contained after working smoke alarms alerted occupants to the danger. The Mason City Fire Department was dispatched to 8 Woodbine Road at 3:19 a.m. on May 7, 2026, following a report of smoke inside the home.
An Iowa educator is facing a felony charge following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a juvenile student a decade ago.
DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed a diverse package of bills into law this week, addressing high-priority issues including public safety, victim rights, and mental health access for Iowa families.
MASON CITY – North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) recognized 56 student leaders at the 36th annual Pathways to Success event held April 22, 2026 in the North Iowa Community Auditorium. Honorees were nominated by NIACC faculty and staff for their academic achievement, positive attitude, character, teamwork, and ability to inspire others.