POLITICS
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.
North Iowa seniors face 2027 Medicare changes as healthcare divides Iowa candidates
MASON CITY — North Iowa seniors face consequential insurance decisions this fall as Medicare plans disappear for 2027, raising questions about prescription coverage and access to familiar doctors while Iowa Democrats and Republicans offer competing healthcare proposals ahead of the November 3 election.
Charles City adopts e-bike rules with speed limits, helmet requirements and street restrictions
CHARLES CITY — Electric bicycles and other small powered vehicles have a place on Charles City’s streets and trails, but riders face limits on where they can travel, how fast they can go and when helmets are required under a newly adopted city ordinance.
Cerro Gordo County in-person early voting jumps 43% as midterm election approaches
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County in-person absentee voting was running 43.4% ahead of the comparable point in 2022, according to the auditor’s October 21 snapshot, as the November 3 midterm election approaches.
Ilhan Omar flees D.C. home after federal raid as financial probes turn up the heat
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal investigators have searched her home, prosecutors are examining her financial disclosures, and her husband’s business dealings have drawn congressional scrutiny. Now U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar says she plans to leave the Washington residence agents searched October 12.
The Minnesota Democrat, wine enthusiast, and America-hater announced her plans during an October 21 interview, then begged for money on social media.
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.
Trump announces $8 billion harvest relief plan to help Iowa farmers
Iowa farmers could receive help through President Trump’s new $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program, with commodity payment rates expected in November.
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.
Grassley says Jack Smith swept up 639,000 GOP supporters’ data — including MAGA hat buyers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — First came an Osage donor’s $10 check. Now Chuck Grassley says the federal paper trail reaches into hundreds of thousands of Republicans’ personal records — right down to people ordering a red MAGA hat.
The Iowa Republican and Senate Judiciary Committee chairman released new findings October 14 alleging former special counsel Jack Smith’s office and the Biden Justice Department obtained information covering at least 639,000 Republican donors, voters and supporters through subpoena returns.
Grassley is turning up the heat, arguing the collection went far beyond what Smith needed to investigate…
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.
Northern Iowa hog operation’s manure plan raises concerns near Meservey as county flags erosion, waterways and sharp drop in waste
MASON CITY — A Northern Iowa hog operation’s plans for spreading manure on farmland near Meservey are drawing scrutiny from Cerro Gordo County environmental health officials, who have identified concerns involving nearby waterways, soil erosion classifications and a substantial change in the amount of manure reported by the operation.
The concerns involve Madison Industries LLC, a hog confinement operation located at 2145 Finch Avenue near Hampton in Franklin County, approximately three miles south of the Cerro Gordo County line.
A report prepared by Cerro Gordo County Public Health is scheduled to go before the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors on Monday, October 12, 2026, as part of the county’s review of an updated manure management plan.
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.
Trump tells Minnesota to ‘fight back’ against Somali immigrants after Mall of America plot foiled
MINNEAPOLIS — President Donald Trump issued a blistering statement Thursday, October 8, 2026, accusing Somali immigrants of fueling disorder in Minnesota and demanding action from state and city leaders, one day after federal authorities announced they had foiled an alleged ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the Mall of America.
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.
