Founded in 2010

News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region

News Archives

CRIME

Affordable & Professional: Breakthrough Web Design 515-897-1144

Iowa dog breeder accused of deplorable conditions as 32 dogs are seized after court order

Dozens of dogs were seized from an Iowa dog breeder after federal and state inspectors gained court-ordered access to the facility and reported numerous alleged animal welfare violations.

The U.S. Department of Justice said 32 dogs were seized Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from a dog breeding facility operated by Wuanita Swedlund in Farmington, Iowa. The dogs were placed in a local animal shelter.

Read More »

Illegal immigrant predator in Iowa sent to federal prison for child pornography crimes

An illegal immigrant living in Northern Iowa has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting he possessed child pornography, including material involving prepubescent minors and sexual abuse of children.

Jesus Aranda-Martinez, 25, a citizen of Mexico who had been living in Rock Valley, Iowa, was sentenced in federal court in Sioux City after pleading guilty on February 6, 2026, to one count of possession of child pornography.

Read More »

Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton pleads guilty in Espionage Act case

WASHINGTON — Former U.S. National Security Advisor John R. Bolton II pleaded guilty Friday to violating the Espionage Act, admitting in federal court that he willfully retained national defense information after serving in one of the most sensitive posts in the federal government.

Bolton, 77, of Bethesda, Maryland, served as national security adviser to President Donald Trump from April 2018 to September 2019. The Justice Department said Bolton used personal accounts to send classified information to family members who were not authorized to receive it, including through a personal email account later hacked by a cyber actor allegedly linked to Iran.

The case marked a dramatic fall for Bolton, a longtime Republican foreign-policy hawk who held senior national security roles across multiple administrations and later became a sharp critic of Trump after leaving the White House.

Bolton faces a maximum penalty of 60 months in prison. As part of the plea agreement, he also agreed to pay a $2.25 million fine. DOJ said federal law also bars Bolton or his survivors from collecting an annuity or federal retirement pay because of the conviction.

Read More »