Founded in 2010

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

News Archives

TOP STORIES

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

Sports

University of Iowa seeks approval for new field hockey building, major Carver-Hawkeye Arena renovation

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa is seeking approval from the Iowa Board of Regents to move forward with planning for two major athletics facility projects, including a new field hockey operations building and a proposed modernization of Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The field hockey project would create a new operations building next to Grant Field, giving one of Iowa’s most successful programs a dedicated home for team activities. The project carries an estimated budget of $8.65 million and would be paid for entirely through donor support.

If approved, construction on the field hockey building is expected to begin this summer, with completion targeted for summer 2027.

Read More »
Business

Iowa crops hold strong after timely rains, but hotter weather looms

DES MOINES — Iowa farmers got some late-week rain relief as corn and soybean development continued to move along at a strong pace, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for June 1-7, 2026.

The weekly report, released June 8 by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, showed Iowa had 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week. That is slightly above the 4.7 days reported during the same week last year.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said showers and thunderstorms late last week helped drier parts of the state, especially across southern and eastern Iowa.

Read More »
Business

Treasury warns banks: illegal labor schemes are draining taxpayers, fueling fraud and exploiting U.S. businesses

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Treasury Department is warning banks and other financial institutions to watch for suspicious money trails tied to illegal workers, shady labor brokers and employers accused of using unlawful labor schemes to dodge taxes, steal identities and undercut legitimate American businesses.

The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN, issued a joint advisory on June 5, 2026, urging financial institutions to detect and report illicit activity connected to the unlawful employment of people not authorized to work in the United States.

Read More »
Top Stories

Gunfire erupts outside South Federal Kwik Star in Mason City, one person taken to hospital

MASON CITY — A person was taken to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center after gunfire broke out outside the South Federal Avenue Kwik Star in Mason City late Wednesday night, according to Mason City police.

The shooting was reported after an argument between several men near a gas pump at the Kwik Star, located along South Federal Avenue. Mason City Police Chief Mike McKelvey said the dispute apparently escalated into gunfire.

Read More »