POLITICS

WASHINGTON — All four of Iowa’s Republican congressmen voted Wednesday, July 22, 2026, to prohibit members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing individual stocks, delivering unanimous Iowa support for a long-awaited crackdown on a practice widely viewed as a glaring conflict of interest.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has issued more than 103,000 civil fines totaling approximately $84 billion against illegal aliens who have refused to leave the United States, the Department of Homeland Security announced.

The massive financial penalties are part of the administration’s escalating effort to enforce final removal orders and compel illegal aliens to leave the country voluntarily.

The fines can reach $998 for every day an illegal alien remains in the country after receiving a final order of removal.

CHARLES CITY — The Floyd County Board of Supervisors heard a request for $25,000 toward a major Northeast Iowa Food Bank expansion, reviewed upcoming county technology changes and approved several personnel and financial matters during its Tuesday, July 21, 2026, meeting.

MASON CITY — The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors approved a $1.73 million bid for a new secondary roads building in Rockwell during its Monday, July 20, 2026, meeting.

WASHINGTON — For taxpayers watching prices, property taxes and household bills climb while the federal government continues borrowing heavily, the latest news from Washington may provoke two reactions: relief that somebody is finally checking—and disbelief that the safeguard was not already firmly in place.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Tuesday, July 21, 2026, that a new government-wide verification system has flagged more than 4,900 proposed federal payments worth millions because the listed recipients were deceased.

FOREST CITY — The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of a new motor grader, adopted fiscal year 2026 drainage levies and discussed concerns over reduced state funding for emergency medical services during its Tuesday, July 14, 2026, meeting.

DES MOINES — A veteran Iowa law enforcement officer who has spent the past several years overseeing investigations and security for the Iowa Lottery has been chosen to lead the organization.

CHARLES CITY — The Floyd County Board of Supervisors put the brakes on a proposed conservation ordinance, established a new speed limit on Rotary Park Road and moved forward with several bridge and road projects during its Tuesday, July 14, 2026 meeting.

Supervisors Gloria Carr, Boyd Campbell and Frank Rottinghaus were all present for the 9 a.m. meeting at the Floyd County Courthouse.

MASON CITY — Mason City officials are preparing to add two more full-time employees to help operate the city-managed facilities inside downtown’s Southbridge Mall, including its costly multipurpose arena.

The Mason City City Council will consider hiring a new Southbridge operations manager and creating an arena and ice-maintenance position during its regular meeting Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Together, the two employees would receive approximately $128,710 in annual base wages. The total cost to taxpayers would be higher after insurance, IPERS retirement contributions, payroll taxes and other employment costs are included.

MASON CITY — The Mason City Community School District continues to reshape and fill its workforce for the approaching school year, with another round of hires, transfers and new assignments scheduled for consideration on Monday, July 20, 2026.

The personnel changes follow a lengthy report approved by the Board of Education during its June 15 meeting, when the board hired 10 certified employees and approved numerous support-staff transfers, resignations and extracurricular assignments.

The board’s July 20 personnel report includes one new certified teacher, two special-education paraprofessionals and several employee transfers or reassignments for the 2026-27 school year.

Andrea Rodemeyer is listed for hire as a fourth-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary at a salary of $52,005. Rodemeyer, a Buena Vista University graduate, would replace Kelly Lien following Lien’s voluntary transfer.

The proposed non-certified hires are:

DES MOINES — Iowa economic development officials announced more than $4.66 million in tax credits, loans and grant funding Friday, including $623,500 for two Northern Iowa manufacturers planning to create a combined 102 jobs.

PRIMGHAR — A northwest Iowa cattle-feeding operation is seeking state approval to drill another deep well and withdraw as much as 78.9 million gallons of water each year from an underground aquifer and nearby creek.

CLEAR LAKE — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is considering renewal of an air-quality operating permit for a large refined petroleum pipeline terminal in Clear Lake that helps supply gasoline, diesel, ethanol and other fuels to Mason City, Clear Lake, communities across North Iowa and the surrounding region.

According to the DNR, the Clear Lake facility has the potential to emit up to 180.88 tons of volatile organic compounds each year.

MASON CITY — The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors approved a temporary $10,000 annual pay increase for an employee in the county auditor’s office, authorized more than $428,000 in claims and reorganized several county funds during its regular meeting on Monday, July 13, 2026.