Mason City man pleads guilty to child exploitation, firearm charges
A 20-year-old Mason City man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Cedar Rapids to multiple serious charges involving child exploitation and a stolen firearm. Parker Jon Thompson admitted to sexual exploitation of children, possession of child
Rockwell Council approves FY 2027 tax levy, cemetery upkeep work
The Rockwell City Council approved the 2026-2027 tax levy during a special meeting Wednesday, setting the rate at $17.53 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The decision followed a public hearing and a unanimous vote by council
E. Clement “Clem” McLaughlin of Belmond – Mass of Christian Burial April 7
A Mass of Christian Burial for 87-year-old E. Clement “Clem” McLaughlin of Belmond will be Tuesday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond. Burial will be in the St. Francis Catholic
Spring planting nears in north central Iowa, but patience still key
Spring planting season is approaching across north central Iowa, but conditions in the field suggest farmers may need to hold off just a bit longer. According to Iowa State University Extension field agronomist Angie Rieck-Hinz, areas north
Thursday, April 2
Girls Golf
AGWSR
Oelwein
@ Hudson – rescheduled to 4/10/26
Boys Golf
AGWSR
Oelwein
@ Hudson – rescheduled to 4/10/26
Girls Soccer
Union
@ #15 (1A) Aplington-Parkersburg – rescheduled to 5/11/26
GCGR
@ #12 (1A) Dike-New Hartford – rescheduled to 4/6/26
Wright County – 0
@ Clear Lake – 1
Boys Soccer
AP/DNH
@ Gilbert – rescheduled to 4/10/26
Garner Hayfield Ventura
@ Hampton-Dumont-CAL – postponed
Iowa Falls-Alden
@ Webster City – postponed
Wright County – 1
@ Clear Lake – 1
Boys Tennis
Aplington-Parkersburg
@ Clear Lake – postponed
Track & Field
BCLUW Boys Early Bird – cancelled
(AGWSR)
Ballard Coed Invitational – cancelled
(Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, South Hardin boys)
Gassman Early Bird Coed @ Union – cancelled
(Clarksville, Grundy Center boys)
Roland-Story Coed Meet – cancelled
(Hampton-Dumont-CAL)
East Marshall Early Bird Coed Meet – cancelled
(South Hardin girls)
RADIO IOWA: House approves plan to cut number of magistrates
The Iowa House has overwhelmingly approved a plan to reduce the number of part-time magistrates working in Iowa courtrooms. Magistrates help reduce judges’ workloads by handling simple misdemeanor cases, issuing warrants and presiding over preliminary hearings. Under
Clarion and New Hartford receive Paint Iowa Beautiful grants
Keep Iowa Beautiful and Diamond Vogel have announced 2026 Paint Iowa Beautiful grant recipients, with projects in Clarion and New Hartford among those selected. The Clarion Development Alliance and the Friends of the Martin Memorial Library in
Raymond “Ray” Haupt of Wellsburg – Funeral service April 10
Funeral service for 77-year-old Raymond “Ray” Haupt of Wellsburg will be Friday, April 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church in rural Wellsburg. Burial will be in the First Christian Reformed Cemetery in
Butler County Conservation plans Earth Week activities
The Butler County Conservation Board is inviting residents to celebrate Earth Week with a series of events focused on sustainability and outdoor exploration. As aired on the Outdoors in North Iowa podcast, Naturalist Annette Wittrock says Earth
RADIO IOWA: ‘Right to Repair’ bill clears first hurdle in Iowa House
A bill that would give Iowans a clear right to repair their farm equipment has cleared initial review in the Iowa House. The president of the Iowa Farmers Union says some manufacturers are voluntarily providing farmers with