- Protected: Mason City man accused of sexual abuse of teen pleads not guilty
- Protected: Mason City man sent to prison for fatal accident in which he was impaired driver
- Protected: Iowa police investigating suburban murder
News Headlines for September 3, 2026
Mason City’s MacNider Museum earns elite national status held by just 33 Iowa museums
MASON CITY — The Charles H. MacNider Art Museum has once again earned the highest national recognition available to an American museum, keeping the Mason City institution among a select group meeting the country’s most demanding professional standards.
The museum received reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, an honor signifying excellence, accountability, responsible stewardship of artwork and continued institutional improvement.
Cyclone football is back: New coach, new quarterback and 83 newcomers hit Jack Trice Saturday vs SEMO
AMES — Cyclone football returns Saturday with a new head coach, a new quarterback and one of the most dramatically rebuilt rosters in the country.
Iowa State will open its 2026 season against Southeast Missouri State at MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon, with the game streaming on ESPN+.
The Cyclone Radio Network will also carry the game, with John Walters handling play-by-play, Eric Heft providing analysis and Ryan Harklau reporting from the sideline.
Saturday will launch the 135th season of Iowa State football and the program’s 52nd season at Jack Trice Stadium. More importantly, it will give fans their first real look at the Jimmy Rogers era.
Iowa nuclear task force calls for statewide reactor search, incentives and “nuclear-ready” communities
DES MOINES — Iowa should begin searching for possible nuclear reactor sites, prepare communities to host nuclear facilities, expand worker training and consider state incentives capable of attracting billions of dollars in nuclear investment, according to a sweeping new report delivered to Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Herminia “Minnie” Loera Flores, 94, Mason City, remembered for family and a long life shared with those she loved
MASON CITY — Herminia “Minnie” Loera Flores, 94, of Mason City, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, at Epiphany Parish – Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 N. Adams Ave. in Mason City.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., one hour before the service at the church.
Inurnment will take place at a later date at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.
Charlotte Rose Platte, 89, Elma, remembered for family, faith and life on the farm
ELMA — Charlotte Rose Platte, 89, of Elma, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 11, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 107 Wood Street in Elma, with the Rev. Bruce Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Howard Cemetery in Elma.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, September 10, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Elma and will continue for one hour before the service Friday at the church.
Lone Rock man identified as victim of fiery Northern Iowa semi crash
BRITT — Authorities have identified the truck driver killed in a fiery Hancock County crash after his tractor-trailer left the roadway, tore through a fence and slammed into a tree.
The Iowa State Patrol now identifies the victim as Dennis Scott Doocy, 59, of Lone Rock.
UNI heads west seeking first-ever football victory in Washington against Eastern Washington
CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa will open its 2026 football season more than 1,500 miles from home Saturday as the Panthers head to Cheney, Washington, looking to accomplish something the program has never done — win a game in the state of Washington.
UNI will face Eastern Washington at 6 p.m. Central time September 5 at Roos Field. The game will be available on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network.
The Panthers are 0-2 all-time in Washington, with both losses coming at Eastern Washington.
Iowa corn and soybeans remain 77% good to excellent as late-summer heat pushes crops
DES MOINES — Iowa farmers closed out August with corn and soybean conditions holding strong as warmer weather accelerated crop development across much of the state.
The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report shows both corn and soybeans rated 77 percent good to excellent for the week ending August 30.
Farmers had 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, slightly below the 6.3 days available during the same period last year.
Iowa Supreme Court blocks Auditor Rob Sand from secret city records; governor candidate blasts ‘corruption and secrecy’
DES MOINES — Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand has lost a major battle over his ability to dig into secret government discussions involving nearly $2 million in taxpayer-funded settlements, prompting the Democratic candidate for governor to accuse Iowa political leaders of enabling “corruption and secrecy.”
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that Sand’s office cannot force the City of Davenport to surrender communications protected by attorney-client privilege as part of an investigation into $1.9 million in settlements involving harassment claims by three city employees.
Michael T. Cummings, 76, of McIntire, remembered as Navy veteran who loved family, classic cars and good company
McINTIRE — Michael Thomas Cummings, 76, of McIntire, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 21, 2026, after a life marked by more than two decades of military service, devotion to family and a love for cars, motorcycles and time spent with friends.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Riverside Cemetery in Riceville. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Homes in Riceville is assisting the family.
Trump approves $5 million in Iowa storm disaster relief as state leaders praise federal response
DES MOINES — President Donald Trump has approved a major federal disaster declaration and $5
Repeat child predator busted with dozens of child sex images in Mason City guilty again, faces up to 40 years
CEDAR RAPIDS — A repeat Northern Iowa child sex offender who has already served federal prison time is headed toward another stiff sentence after a Mason City police investigation uncovered dozens of videos and images of children being sexually abused on his phone.
Erwin Loyd Moritz, 94, of Mason City, remembered as proud Marine, family man and tireless tinkerer
MASON CITY, IOWA – Erwin Loyd Moritz, 94, of Mason City, passed away peacefully Friday, August 28, 2026, at Heritage Care Center, leaving behind a life marked by military service, hard work, faith and devotion to family.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, September 11, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street NE in Mason City.
A funeral service will begin at 10:30 AM Saturday, September 12, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 North Delaware Avenue in Mason City. Reverend Karl Bollhagen will officiate. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Waterloo teen nabbed after allegedly shooting up an occupied house
WATERLOO — A 19-year-old Waterloo man has been arrested following an investigation into gunfire that struck an occupied home Sunday morning.
Arvin R. Juhl, 94, of Estherville, remembered for service, farming and devotion to family
ESTHERVILLE — Arvin Ray Juhl, 94, of Estherville, passed away August 31, 2026, leaving behind a life shaped by military service, farming, faith and a deep commitment to his family.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2026, at Estherville Lutheran Church.
Arvin’s final resting place will be East Side Memorial Cemetery in Estherville.
No. 11 Iowa topples No. 2 North Carolina, completes perfect weekend against top-10 foes
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The 11th-ranked Iowa field hockey team knocked off No. 2 North Carolina, 3-2, on Sunday, completing a perfect weekend against two of the nation’s top-seven programs at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The victory came two days after the Hawkeyes erased a three-goal deficit and stunned No. 7 Wake Forest in overtime.
Lori Jo Mark, 70, of Osage remembered for music, community devotion and boundless pride in her family
OSAGE — Lori Jo Mark, a musician, local history enthusiast and devoted mother who recently welcomed her first grandchild, died Sunday, August 30, 2026, at her home in Osage. She was 70.
A rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday, September 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. Visitation will follow from 4 to 6 p.m.
Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with visitation beginning one hour before the service. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, with a luncheon afterward.
Clear Lake remembers Gloria “June” Brasser, 102, a Navy veteran who never lost her adventurous spirit
CLEAR LAKE — Gloria J. “June” Brasser, a World War II Navy veteran, dedicated community volunteer and adventurous Clear Lake woman who celebrated milestone birthdays by skydiving and ziplining, died peacefully Sunday, August 30, 2026, at her home surrounded by family. She was 102.
A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, September 14, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake, with Deacon Matt Berry officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour before the service.
Burial will follow at Clear Lake Cemetery, where members of Clear Lake VFW Post 4868 will provide full military honors.
UPDATE: Sheffield man identified as motorcyclist significantly injured in Mason City crash
MASON CITY — The Iowa State Patrol has identified the motorcyclist who suffered significant injuries after losing control and crashing Monday afternoon in Mason City.
An updated crash report names the rider as Todd Jeffrey Becker, 70, of Sheffield.
Gas-station kratom products associated with 45 Iowa deaths as poison calls soar
DES MOINES — A psychoactive substance sold openly at Iowa gas stations and convenience stores has been associated with 45 deaths since 2024 as poison-control calls involving the products continue to soar.
Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Iowa Department of Public Safety issued a statewide warning Tuesday about kratom and newly emerging products containing highly concentrated or synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly called 7-OH.
“Kratom is not a supplement, it is not a medicine, and it is not safe,” Reynolds said.
Tall corn hampers view as vehicles collide near Dougherty, woman driver suffers major injuries
DOUGHERTY — Two motorists were hurt Monday when their vehicles collided at an uncontrolled rural Cerro Gordo County intersection where tall corn reportedly obstructed visibility.
Judith “Judi” Ann Balek, 79, of Clear Lake, remembered for her adventurous spirit and devotion to family
CLEAR LAKE — Judith “Judi” Ann Balek, 79, of Clear Lake, was called home on Saturday, August 29, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Cremation has taken place. Judi’s final resting place will be Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.
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