- Protected: Cedar Rapids man arrested after alleged theft of Marlboro cigarettes and assault on two officers in Charles City
- Protected: Northern Iowa teen dead in auto crash as man flees cops in Mini Cooper
- Protected: Northern Iowa man busted after trying to hookup with young teen
News Headlines for February 20, 2026

Multiple children hurt when Charles City woman slides through stop sign, slams into Chicago man’s Nissan
CHARLES CITY — A recent mid-afternoon collision at a Charles City intersection left multiple children needing medical evaluation and resulted in citations for both drivers involved, as well as thousands of dollars in property damage.

Senator Doug Campbell discusses bills under consideration in week 6 of Iowa Legislature
“The sixth week of the legislative session, the initial ‘funnel’ deadline was this week, making advancements crucial. Subcommittees and committees were busy working through large numbers of proposals being considered in each chamber,” Campbell said.

Supreme Court deals blow to President’s tariff powers; Trump slaps levy across globe
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 ruling today claims that Presidents do not have the power to levy global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and after the bizarre ruling was announced, President Donald Trump declared all current tariffs shall remain in effect, and slapped a new 10% global tariff upon the planet.

Women’s College Basketball: No. 13 Iowa 83, Purdue 74
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Without veteran star Hannah Stuelke on the floor due to an upper-body injury, head coach Jan Jensen had to rely on a remarkably young starting five inside Mackey Arena on Thursday night.

Suspect hunted for hoarding kid photos nabbed in Iowa
This east coast kiddie photo hoarder was tooling around on his bike in Iowa when cops rudely and abruptly introduced him to justice.

Charles City auto collision causes thousands in damages and citation for driver
CHARLES CITY — Slick winter conditions resulted in a two-vehicle collision near downtown Charles City on a recent Sunday morning, leaving one car totaled but both drivers miraculously unharmed.

Illegal alien flees police, shoots officer in the chest, crosses rainbow bridge
This illegal alien suspect has been on the run from U.S. authorities for years, and after one last harrowing encounter in which he tried to kill an officer, Democrats will have one more place to erect a statue.

Trump Administration buys $263 million in dairy and ag products from farmers to distribute to food banks
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intent to purchase up to $263 million in dairy and agricultural products from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country.

College Basketball: UNI Panthers cruise past Indiana State, 81-60
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Will Hornseth’s first half interior play and the long range shooting of Ben Schwieger and Max Weisbrod in the second period sparked the UNI men’s basketball offense on Wednesday night as the Panthers scored an 81-60 win over the Indiana State Sycamores at the Hulman Center in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) action.

Women’s College Basketball: Iowa State Cyclones burn Arizona State, 90-64
AMES – Iowa State (21-6, 9-6 Big 12) downed Arizona State (21-7, 8-7 Big 12) by a score of 90-64 Wednesday night. It was Iowa State’s third conference game scoring 90-plus.

Northern Iowa man nabbed in sting after attempt to prey on child
This Northern Iowa police force’s relentless crackdown on online predators claimed another suspect recently, proving that despite frequent public warnings, individuals continue to travel to the area seeking illicit encounters with minors.

OBIT: Thomas “Tom” M. Peshak
Thomas M. Peshak, 64, formerly of Plymouth, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Concord Care Center, Garner. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Major Erickson Funeral Home.

College Basketball: #5 Iowa State Cyclones outlast #2 Houston Cougars, 70-67
AMES – No. 6 Iowa State (23-3, 10-3 Big 12) rallied from a double-digit deficit and outscored No. 2 Houston (23-3, 11-2 Big 12) 17-4 in the final seven minutes in a massive 70-67 victory Monday night in Hilton Coliseum.

OBIT: Bailey McPherson
Bailey Hope McPherson, 33, formerly of St. Cloud, Minnesota, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on Thursday, February 12, 2026 in Mason City, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Rustic Barn Venue in Nora Springs, IA at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 14, 2026 with Mark Doebel officiating.

Books in Mason City library that offer children lessons on sexuality divide citizens, could be “banned” at Tuesday meeting
MASON CITY – The Mason City library board is meeting Tuesday afternoon, and things could get weird when the agenda reaches the “Book challenge” item, as some citizens are furious that certain books available to kids offer startling images of human genitalia, naked lessons on how to get wild pleasure, or even transmit po r no graphic material. Meanwhile, other citizens who want kids to have access to these books are equally disturbed that they could get banned altogether or moved farther away from the “children’s” area.

Northern Iowa woman nabbed for drunk driving after returning to accident scene
Police say this Northern Iowa woman left a bar, got behind the wheel and backed into a parked car before leaving the scene of the collision, but as cops arrived to investigate, the tipsy boozer drove back to the scene with her pal, and they both shotgunned a tall cold can of comeuppance.

College Wrestling: No. 7 Iowa Hawkeyes steamroll Purdue, 32-6
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The seventh-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team defeated Purdue, 32-6, on Sunday afternoon at Holloway Gymnasium.

Women’s College Basketball: No. 13 Iowa 80, Nebraska 67
LINCOLN, Neb. – No. 13 Iowa (20-5, 11-3) defeated Nebraska (16-10, 5-10) inside Pinnacle Bank Arena on Monday afternoon, 80-67. The Hawkeyes have earned 10 consecutive seasons of 20 wins for the second time in school history.

U.S. rapidly implementing President Trump’s vision for Venezuelan oil
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Now that Venezuelan drug kingpin Nicholas Maduro and his fancy wife are locked up probably forever in an American prison, President Donald Trump and his administration are wasting no time in cranking up the oil wells and snatching all the wealth possible for U.S. taxpayers.

Iowa teen girl reported missing
An Iowa teen girl appears to have run away days ago, carrying a backpack, and police are seeking clues as to brining her home safely.

College Wrestling: No. 4 Iowa State Cyclones derail No. 15 UNI Panthers, 28-6
AMES – No. 4 Iowa State defeated in-state rival No. 15 UNI Sunday night in front of a rowdy Hilton Coliseum crowd. The Cyclones took eight of 10 matches from the Panthers, including the first five of the dual, to come out on top, 28-6.

OBIT: Russell Dean “Russ” Steenblock
Russell Dean “Russ” Steenblock, 76, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away surrounded by his family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and friend, Russ lived a life marked by hard work, loyalty, faith, and quiet strength.
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