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News Headlines for October 19, 2026
Iowa State men’s basketball rallies from 19 down but falls to Creighton, 83-80, in exhibition
Iowa State men’s basketball rallied from 19 points down but fell 83-80 to Creighton in an October 18 exhibition at Hilton Coliseum.
Cancer returns for Iowa First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds as state battles nation’s second-highest cancer rate
Iowa First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds faces a recurrence of cancer following brain tumor surgery, as Iowa records the nation’s second-highest cancer incidence rate.
Fashion for everyone: Affordables runway show returns to Mason City October 23
The Affordables Fashion Show returns to Mason City October 23 with inclusive runway models, Mason City High School student designs, fall fashions and a fundraiser for 43 North Iowa.
Northern Iowa elderly man missing, authorities issue urgent endangered person alert
Authorities are searching for Larry Williams, 84, missing from Lytton on October 19. Watch for a black Toyota Prius with Iowa plate SF691. Call 911.
Northern Iowa woman dies after shooting inside home; homicide investigation underway
A woman died after police found her shot inside a Waterloo home Saturday night. Detectives are investigating the homicide and asking anyone with information to come forward.
UNI soccer holds Murray State scoreless, earns point in MVC tournament chase
Hailey Luedtke made four saves as UNI soccer tied Murray State 0-0 on October 18, earning a conference point with three matches remaining in its push for an MVC Tournament berth.
Northern Iowa crash leaves driver trapped in car, airlifted after collision with semi trailer
Joseph Anderegg, 43, of Osage, was extricated from his car and airlifted after it struck a semi trailer at Highway 9 and Highway 218 in Mitchell County on October 17.
Osage Co-Op fire: Dust explosions spread blaze; neighbors rally to help
Dust explosions spread fire through the Osage Co-Op Elevator facility Saturday, drawing five fire departments. No injuries were reported, and neighboring businesses offered to help keep fall fertilizer operations going.
Reynolds touts Iowa revenue growth as state forecasts $8.54 billion in receipts
Gov. Kim Reynolds credited Republican fiscal policies for Iowa’s improving revenue outlook Friday, pointing to projections of $8.54 billion in General Fund receipts this fiscal year and further growth next year.
Chicago drug dealer’s Iowa chaos nearly lands him a 21-year federal prison term
A Chicago drug dealer tore through an Iowa neighborhood at more than twice the speed limit, ran a stop sign and nearly struck a city bus before hitting a curb and trying to escape on foot. Officers caught him nearby — and uncovered more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine during searches of his car and apartment.
UNI volleyball sweeps UIC for 10th straight win, moves within reach of MVC record
CEDAR FALLS — UNI volleyball keeps winning, and another conference record is now just one victory away. The Panthers swept UIC 25-21, 25-18, 25-17 on Saturday, October 17, at the McLeod Center, earning their 10th consecutive victory behind Lily Dykstra’s match-high 15 kills.
UNI football digs early hole, falls to No. 6 Youngstown State 35-22
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — UNI spent Saturday trying to climb out of a hole that began with the opening kickoff. The Panthers made a game of it, but a 28-point deficit proved too much to overcome against No. 6 Youngstown State.
Rob Sand’s brother-in-law stepped into highway and was struck and killed, patrol says
CHARITON — Iowa Auditor Rob Sand’s brother-in-law stepped into a highway traffic lane Thursday night and was struck and killed by an SUV whose driver had moved over to pass his parked car, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
UNI volleyball rolls past Valparaiso for ninth straight win
CEDAR FALLS — Valparaiso had few answers for UNI’s attack Friday night as the Panthers swept the Beacons, stretched their winning streak to nine matches and added another milestone to their Missouri Valley Conference dominance.
Northern Iowa woman hospitalized after broadside crash near Rockwell
ROCKWELL — A Clear Lake woman was taken to the hospital Friday evening after her SUV went through a stop sign and was struck broadside by a pickup near Rockwell, according to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office.
Minnesota illegal nabbed by ICE after hiding CSAM inside a crucifix
STILLWATER, MINNESOTA — A wooden crucifix hanging on a bedroom wall concealed a horrifying secret. Tucked behind a small bottle of holy water, investigators discovered a memory card containing child sexual abuse material involving a young girl whose family had trusted the man now convicted of exploiting her.
The disturbing discovery was only part of what authorities uncovered inside the Minnesota apartment of Alejandro Rojas Garcia, 65, a Mexican national federal officials say was living illegally in the United States.
On October 8, 2026, a federal jury convicted Garcia of attempted production of child pornography following a four-day trial involving allegations that two sisters younger than 13 had been sexually abused.
Federal officials also took direct aim at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, sharply criticizing the state’s record on immigration-related crime.
Drunk man spits at cops, tries to bite officer during wild Northern Iowa street confrontation, gets 4-year prison sentence
A drunken street confrontation in Sac City ended with Christian Onei Vaca spitting at two officers, attempting to bite one and receiving consecutive prison terms totaling up to four years.
Cerro Gordo County to weigh agreement putting private wells and groundwater protection under local oversight
MASON CITY — Protecting Northern Iowa’s underground water supplies will be on the agenda Monday as Cerro Gordo County supervisors consider an agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources spelling out responsibility for permitting, inspecting and enforcing standards for private water wells.
Supervisors are scheduled to consider the agreement Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Conference Room. The proposed arrangement covers private water well construction, reconstruction and abandonment.
Shelley Kay Bruce, 63, filled her family’s life with laughter, love and home cooking
MASON CITY — Shelley Kay Bruce, 63, of Mason City, died October 15, 2026, at UnityPoint Allen Hospital in Waterloo, leaving a family who cherished her generous heart, unmistakable laugh and straightforward way of speaking.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. NE, Mason City. Visitation will take place at the funeral home that day from 11:00 a.m. until the service. She will be laid to rest at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Swaledale at a later date.
Ronald D. Dahle, 86, of Woden to be honored at St. John’s Lutheran Church
WODEN — Ronald D. Dahle, 86, of Woden, died Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Titonka Care Center.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woden, with the Rev. John Heille officiating. Burial will follow at Bingham Township Cemetery.
Visitation will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 310 Main St., Woden. Visitation will continue at the church for one hour before Tuesday’s service.
Leslie Krause, 82, of Milford to be honored in Spirit Lake and laid to rest in Lu Verne
MILFORD — Leslie Krause, 82, of Milford, died October 15, 2026, at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2300 27th St., Spirit Lake. Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. that day at Lu Verne Cemetery, 701 N. Maple St., Lu Verne.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home, 1101 10th St., Milford.
Joan Ruth Kohagen, 83, nurtured a growing family and brought beauty to her Sumner home
SUMNER — Joan Ruth Kohagen, 83, of Sumner, died unexpectedly Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner, leaving a large family who treasured her attention, kindness and love.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, at St. John Lutheran Church, 324 E. First St., Sumner, with the Rev. Tracy Hinkel officiating.
Visitation will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, at Becker & Son Funeral Home, 111 W. Fifth St., Sumner. Visitation will continue at the church from 9:00 a.m. until Tuesday’s service. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for later designation.
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