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News Headlines for October 31, 2026
Iowa corn harvest reaches 47% but trails normal pace as northern Iowa stays unusually warm
DES MOINES — Iowa farmers had nearly a full week of suitable field conditions October 19-25, 2026, but the corn harvest remained well behind its usual pace, according to the crop report released October 26. Northern Iowa experienced some of the state’s most unusual warmth, with temperatures nearing 15 degrees above normal in parts of the region.
UNI volleyball wins 13th straight as Dykstra powers four-set victory at Indiana State
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — UNI volleyball weathered a determined challenge from Indiana State on Friday, October 30, winning in four sets behind Lily Dykstra’s 20 kills to extend its winning streak to 13 matches.
Iowa State soccer falls 2-0 to Oklahoma State in Matt Fannon’s final home match
AMES — Iowa State soccer surrendered two goals in the opening 15 minutes and could not recover Thursday, October 29, falling 2-0 to Oklahoma State in the Cyclones’ home finale and coach Matt Fannon’s final match in Ames.
No. 9 Iowa field hockey falls 5-1 at Maryland, turns attention to Big Ten Tournament
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Ninth-ranked Iowa field hockey could not overcome a three-goal first quarter by No. 2 Maryland, falling 5-1 at the Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex as the Hawkeyes head toward the Big Ten Tournament.
Buddy Holly fans: “Shadows Over Clear Lake” brings Winter Dance Party history to Iowa City Nov. 2
Author Tommy Canale explores Buddy Holly, the 1959 Winter Dance Party and North Iowa’s enduring music legacy Nov. 2 at Iowa City Municipal Airport. Seats are limited; admission is $10.
Clear Lake woman nabbed on felony OWI charge after alleged headlights-off hit-and-run
CLEAR LAKE — A Clear Lake woman allegedly drove without headlights, struck another vehicle on Highway 18 and left the scene before police caught up with her and arrested her on a felony third-offense OWI charge and six additional counts.
Hawkeye women’s basketball erupts for 124 points as Dani Carnegie leads rout of Maryville
IOWA CITY — Dani Carnegie poured in 30 points and No. 10 Iowa women’s basketball unleashed a 43-point third quarter Thursday, October 29, 2026, rolling past Maryville 124-67 in an exhibition before 4,503 fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Cyclone women’s basketball forces 30 turnovers in 90-32 rout of Upper Iowa
AMES — Iowa State women’s basketball turned defense into offense Wednesday, October 28, 2026, forcing 30 turnovers and scoring 42 points off those mistakes in a 90-32 exhibition victory over Upper Iowa before 8,791 fans at Hilton Coliseum.
Northern Iowa student’s bomb-in-backpack text sparks school scare, juvenile court referral
A Northern Iowa student’s bomb-in-backpack text prompted a police response and a student was nabbed in the incident.
Recognize this person? Clear Lake and Garner police seek help after overnight vehicle break-ins
Clear Lake and Garner police seek help identifying a person in surveillance video after overnight vehicle break-ins. Residents are asked to check cameras and contact police.
Northern Iowa man faces attempted murder charge after rural Webster County shooting
A Northern Iowa man faces an attempted murder charge after an October 7 shooting in rural Webster County sent another man to a Fort Dodge hospital.
Worth County supervisors award $4.4 million building contract at October 19 meeting
Worth County supervisors awarded a $4.4 million administration building contract and approved a $700,000 RV park advance at their October 19, 2026, meeting.
Second man charged with murder in 1995 killing of Waterloo woman Angela Renee Buck
WATERLOO — A second man now faces a first-degree murder charge in the 1995 shooting death of Angela Renee Buck, marking another major development in a Northern Iowa cold case more than 31 years after her body was discovered beside a rural creek.
Northern Iowa man, 23, nabbed on OWI charge after Pocahontas County traffic stop
POCAHONTAS — A 23-year-old Northern Iowa man faces an operating while intoxicated charge following an October 24, 2026, traffic stop in Pocahontas County.
Iowa man held on $1 million bond after Ames stabbing leaves woman with neck injuries
AMES — A 21-year-old Iowa man faces an attempted murder charge and a listed $1 million bond after police say a woman suffered neck injuries in a stabbing on Lincoln Way in Ames on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Mason City police nab woman on domestic assault, two child endangerment charges
MASON CITY — A woman arrested following a reported physical domestic incident in Mason City faces two child endangerment charges and a domestic abuse assault charge, with a judge ordering her held for bond and issuing a no-contact order.
Worth County supervisors approve $133,644 in bills, recorder’s office hire at October 26 meeting
NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors approved $133,644.37 in county claims, authorized a full-time recorder’s office employee to be shared between offices and designated a November observance honoring veterans during their Monday, October 26, 2026, meeting.
Mason City woman back in jail for OWI after earlier car-ramming case
MASON CITY — A Mason City woman previously jailed for violating probation in a case involving allegations she rammed another woman’s vehicle is back in the Cerro Gordo County Jail to serve a two-day sentence for operating while intoxicated.
Mason City farm fire kills pigs and two pet dogs, burns father and son as embers ignite corncrib
MASON CITY — Windblown embers from burning wood logs ignited a corncrib at a Mason City property Wednesday, October 28, 2026, killing animals housed inside and leaving a father and son with burn injuries, according to local authorities.
Former Waverly postmaster gets home confinement for $16,000 USPS fraud
WAVERLY — A former Waverly postmaster who admitted stealing more than $16,000 through bogus mileage reimbursements was sentenced October 26, 2026, to five years of probation and eight months of home confinement, marking her sixth theft-related conviction.
Dian Hoelscher, 84, of Greene, shared her faith through music, teaching and devotion to family
GREENE — Dian (Konrad) Hoelscher, 84, of Greene, died peacefully October 27, 2026, following a lengthy illness. In her final days, she enjoyed visits with family and friends at her daughter Christine’s home in Van Meter, surrounded by people whose lives she had helped shape through faith, encouragement and love.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon at Calvary Baptist Church, 312 S. Main St. in Greene. The funeral service will follow at noon, with Pastor Ben Hartwig officiating.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon at Deer Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, 4598 Zinnia Ave., near Carpenter, where Dian will be buried beside her husband, Rodger. No luncheon is planned. Memorial gifts may be directed to the family for future designation.
James “Jim” LeRoy Fisher, 60, of Rockford, brought laughter to family life and outdoor adventures
ROCKFORD — James “Jim” LeRoy Fisher, 60, of Rockford, died October 27, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa in Mason City. A husband, father of three daughters and proud grandfather, Jim enjoyed making people laugh and sharing time outdoors with those closest to him.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 30, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 21 Third Street NW in Rockford. Visitation will continue at the church Saturday, October 31, from 10 to 11 a.m.
The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with Pastor Chan Gok Kim officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford. Fullerton Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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