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Alliant ordered to cut natural gas rate, Northern Iowa customers could see relief on bills
DES MOINES – More than 200,000 Iowa households served by Alliant Energy are in line for a permanent reduction in their natural gas rates after state regulators reviewed the utility’s actual expenses and revenues following a previous rate increase.
The Iowa Utilities Commission ordered Interstate Power and Light Company, Alliant Energy’s Iowa subsidiary, to reduce residential natural gas rates by more than $2.5 million.
NIACC sports expansion prompts Mason City to move future water tower site
MASON CITY — NIACC’s expanding athletic complex is prompting Mason City to relocate land reserved for a future water tower on the city’s east side, with the City Council set to consider a land swap involving the college and NIACC Foundation.
The council will hold a public hearing Tuesday, September 1, on transferring city-owned property to North Iowa Area Community College and acquiring replacement property from NIACC and the NIACC Foundation.
The unusual land exchange stems directly from NIACC’s new baseball and softball complex.
Iowa lands $135.7 million payday as Meta agrees to sweeping protections for children
DES MOINES — Iowa is set to collect more than $135 million from social-media giant Meta under a landmark multistate settlement that will also force major changes to how Facebook and Instagram treat children and teenagers.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced the settlement Wednesday, calling it a major victory in the state’s fight against Big Tech.
Cerro Gordo supervisors award $2.26 million road contract, approve $352,442 in claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors awarded a more than $2.26 million road construction contract Monday for a resurfacing and recycling project leading toward Mason City, while also approving more than $352,000 in county claims.
Mitchell County supervisors approve $100,000 server project, hire zoning administrator and prepare to replace sheriff’s K9
OSAGE — Mitchell County supervisors approved up to $100,000 for a major computer-server upgrade, adopted a new county ordinance, hired a planning and zoning administrator and learned that the sheriff’s office will
Long-planned Des Moines soccer stadium development skids to a halt after city walks away
DES MOINES — A massive economic development project years in the making has hit the rocks in Iowa’s capital city, with Des Moines officials pulling the plug on negotiations for a proposed professional soccer stadium and surrounding entertainment district after concluding the city could no longer afford the deal.
The City of Des Moines announced Wednesday, August 26, 2026, that it has ended seven years of negotiations with the Krause Group over redevelopment of the former DICO industrial site southwest of downtown (the area in Des Moines is pictured at top).
North Iowa business standouts named finalists for 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala
MASON CITY – Some of North Iowa’s most ambitious business owners, rising entrepreneurs and innovative companies will take center stage when the NIACC Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center holds its 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala.
The sixth biennial gala will take place Thursday, September 24, 2026, at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.
Massive 724-acre data center proposal headed for Hancock County zoning hearing
GARNER — A proposal that could bring a sprawling data center development to Hancock County is moving into the public zoning process, with more than 724 acres of agricultural land targeted for possible conversion to industrial use.
The Hancock County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing Wednesday, September 9, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Hancock County Public Safety Center, 875 State Street in Garner.
Worth County supervisors approve $856,000 in claims, drainage work and housing action
NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors approved more than $856,000 in county claims Monday while also taking action on drainage work, a regional housing program and a manure management plan.
Floyd County advances bridge, road projects as massive $960K rock bill comes due
CHARLES CITY — Floyd County officials are moving ahead with a slate of bridge, resurfacing and secondary-road projects as supervisors approved final plans for another bridge replacement and signed off on nearly $1 million in rock expenses.
Iowa economic board approves $7.6 million; Northern Iowa projects land nearly $1.74 million
DES MOINES — Economic development projects in Forest City, Waverly and at the University of Northern Iowa will receive nearly $1.74 million in state assistance as part of a broader package expected to generate $57.2 million in private manufacturing investment and 98 new jobs across Iowa. $705,000 for a new Bear Creek Golf Course clubhouse in Forest City…
Record 240 Heritage Farms among 514 Iowa farm families honored at State Fair
DES MOINES — More than 500 Iowa families were honored for maintaining ownership of their farms across multiple generations during ceremonies held August 20, 2026, at the Iowa State Fair.
Trump targets soaring ground beef prices with 90-day import deal; Iowa grocery bills could get relief
WASHINGTON — Iowa families battered by stubbornly high beef prices could soon see some relief at the grocery store after President Donald Trump announced Friday, August 21, 2026, a 90-day plan allowing hundreds of millions of pounds of additional ground-beef product into the United States without triggering a higher import tariff.
Trump said the agreement will allow up to 300,000 metric tons — roughly 661 million pounds — of product used for ground beef to enter the United States during the next 90 days without the higher “out-of-quota” tariff normally imposed once import limits are exceeded.
The president said foreign suppliers have committed to selling the beef at 25 percent below current market prices.
Fort Dodge’s massive 720-acre industrial park certified development-ready for new investment
FORT DODGE — A sprawling 720-acre industrial park on the west side of Fort Dodge has earned the state’s development-ready stamp, giving local economic development officials another tool to pursue major manufacturing, bioscience and renewable-energy projects.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced August 20, 2026, that Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation has received designation as an Iowa Certified Site.
Cerro Gordo supervisors approve new yield, 4-way stop; county claims top $345,000
CERRO GORDO COUNTY — The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors approved changes to traffic control at two rural intersections, signed off on a federal housing grant review document and approved more than $345,000 in county claims during its Monday, August 17, 2026, meeting.
Hampton auto shop owner Lance Studer named NIACC Entrepreneur of the Month
HAMPTON — Lance Studer, owner of Lance Studer Custom Automotive in Hampton, has been named the August 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month by the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and the North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center.
Studer built his automotive business from the ground up after deciding to leave a stable career in the HVAC industry and pursue something of his own.
“I had a great job but I have to really challenge myself,” Studer said. “I was getting comfortable and I didn’t like it. Plus, at the end of the day I wanted to build something to leave for my kids.”
Winnebago supervisors authorize up to $957,197 in fund transfers, approve $270,039 in bills
FOREST CITY — Winnebago County supervisors authorized nearly $1 million in potential transfers among county funds, approved more than $270,000 in claims and discussed a possible long-term gravel agreement during their August 18, 2026, meeting.
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Bears Control the Market, XRP Falls to $1: How Can Holders Turn the Tide and Earn $10,000 a Day?
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Worth County supervisors award $1.08 million Monarch RV Park project, approve $25,311 in drainage claims
WORTH COUNTY — Worth County supervisors approved a major construction award for the Monarch RV Park project and more than $25,000 in drainage district expenses during their Monday, August 17, 2026 meeting.