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News Headlines for October 10, 2026

Top Stories

Two elderly Forest City residents seriously injured in motorcycle crash, one airlifted to hospital

Two elderly Forest City residents were seriously injured Saturday morning, October 10, 2026, when their motorcycle went out of control on a northeast Iowa highway, crossed the centerline and entered a ditch, prompting a response that included an air ambulance.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 9:59 a.m. on Highway 51 near Lange Drive in Allamakee County.

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Politics

Northern Iowa hog operation’s manure plan raises concerns near Meservey as county flags erosion, waterways and sharp drop in waste

MASON CITY — A Northern Iowa hog operation’s plans for spreading manure on farmland near Meservey are drawing scrutiny from Cerro Gordo County environmental health officials, who have identified concerns involving nearby waterways, soil erosion classifications and a substantial change in the amount of manure reported by the operation.

The concerns involve Madison Industries LLC, a hog confinement operation located at 2145 Finch Avenue near Hampton in Franklin County, approximately three miles south of the Cerro Gordo County line.

A report prepared by Cerro Gordo County Public Health is scheduled to go before the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors on Monday, October 12, 2026, as part of the county’s review of an updated manure management plan.

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Business

Millions in federal funding flow to Iowa businesses as Northern Iowa manufacturers, hospitals cash in on USDA program

DES MOINES — The federal government is pumping nearly $13 million into Iowa businesses, manufacturers, hospitals and community projects, including several major investments in Northern Iowa, as part of a new round of economic development assistance announced Friday, October 9, 2026.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the funding through its Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program, with projects ranging from factory expansions and medical equipment purchases to new healthcare facilities and agricultural infrastructure.

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Sports

Iowa Hawkeyes hammer Washington 41-24 as Moulton runs wild and Hecklinski throws three touchdowns

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — The Iowa Hawkeyes unleashed a punishing rushing attack, an explosive passing game and a relentless defense Friday night, October 9, 2026, overwhelming Washington 41-24 at Husky Stadium. Kamari Moulton rushed for a career-high 208 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski threw three touchdown passes in his first career start as Iowa improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play. Iowa stormed to a 27-0 lead, piled up 465 yards of offense and held Washington to minus-3 rushing yards while recording six sacks.

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Sports

Iowa State football battered by No. 8 BYU as Cyclones fall 24-10 in Provo

PROVO, UTAH — Iowa State’s offense sputtered, its defense spent much of the night under siege, and No. 8 BYU delivered the big plays Friday night, October 9, 2026, handing the Cyclones a 24-10 defeat before 64,632 fans at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

The Cougars remained unbeaten at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 Conference play, while Iowa State fell to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the league. BYU rolled up 506 yards of total offense compared to just 200 for Iowa State. The Cyclones managed only 49 yards in the first half, their lowest first-half total since at least 2012.

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Obits

Roger Darrell Schmudlach, 90, leaves a legacy of hard work, three holes-in-one and a lifetime of service to Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG — Roger Darrell Schmudlach, 90, of Fredericksburg, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026, following a short illness, leaving behind a remarkable life marked by hard work, devotion to his three sons, community service and a love of golf that produced an extraordinary three holes-in-one.

Visitation was held Thursday, October 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg. A celebration of life was held Friday, October 9, at 1:00 p.m. at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, with burial scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery.

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Top Stories

Northern Iowa drought retreats as Iowa ends third straight water year with rainfall surplus

Northern Iowa drought conditions improve sharply after Iowa’s fourth-wettest September, as the state ends its third straight water year with a precipitation surplus. A remarkably wet September has wiped out nearly all of Iowa’s remaining drought conditions, delivering a dramatic turnaround for Northern Iowa and helping the state close its third consecutive water year with more precipitation than normal.

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Crime

Mason City child predator gets 22 years in federal prison after gun shop burglary exposes exploitation crimes

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Mason City man whose involvement in a local gun shop burglary led federal investigators to uncover the sexual exploitation of children has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison.

Parker Jon Thompson, 20, of Mason City, received the sentence on October 2, 2026, after pleading guilty April 2 to sexual exploitation of children, possession of child pornography, and possession of a stolen firearm.

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Obits

Mary Joan Morris, 94, devoted 42 years to Iowa classrooms and a lifetime to family

MILFORD — Mary Joan Morris, 94, of Milford, Iowa, passed away October 6, 2026, at Accura Healthcare in Spirit Lake, leaving behind a remarkable 42-year teaching career, generations of students whose lives she helped shape, and a family that remained the center of her world.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1525 Three Cross Road, Milford, Iowa. Visitation will take place at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service.

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Obits

Deanna Sorbo, 79, leaves a legacy of family devotion, faith and a lifetime of caring in Estherville

ESTHERVILLE — Deanna Kay (Linn) Sorbo, 79, of Estherville, died October 3, 2026, at the Estherville Community Care Center, surrounded by her family after a short but courageous battle with cancer. She leaves behind memories of a woman whose greatest joys were caring for her family, sharing home-cooked meals and serving her community.

Visitation will take place Friday, October 9, 2026, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Estherville Lutheran Church, 208 N. Eighth Street in Estherville. Her funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. East Side Cemetery in Estherville is listed as her final resting place.

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Crime

Registered sex offender convicted of child sex crime arrested after incident at Northern Iowa library

A registered Northern Iowa sex offender previously convicted of lascivious acts with a child is facing a new criminal charge after authorities investigated a reported violation at a public library.

According to the Iowa Sex Offender Registry, Hamby was convicted October 18, 2017, of lascivious acts with a child under Iowa Code 709.8. Registry information identifies two female victims in the 0-to-13 age category.

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Obits

Marsha Johnson, 76, of Garner leaves a lifetime of laughter, family and cherished ‘Weezers’ friendships

GARNER — Marsha Lee Johnson, 76, of Garner, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus, in Rochester, Minnesota. She leaves behind a family she treasured, deep roots in her church and a remarkable circle of friends whose adventures and support made them feel like family.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 10, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with the Rev. Scott Kozisek officiating. Inurnment will follow at Concord Township Cemetery. A memorial visitation is planned from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. Fourth St., Garner, with additional visitation one hour before Saturday’s service at the church.

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Crime

Charles City man who served prison time for brutal attack nabbed again, now accused of stalking

CHARLES CITY — A Charles City man previously sentenced to prison for a violent attack in which police said he beat and choked a victim before stealing a pickup truck is back in trouble with the law, this time facing a stalking charge after police investigated allegations of ongoing harassment.

Kristopher Hugh Viers of Charles City was arrested on a stalking charge following a harassment complaint. Court records show a $2,000 bond and no-contact order.

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Sports

Aiden Flora piles up national honors after monster five-touchdown performance for Iowa State football

AMES — Aiden Flora’s breakout performance against West Virginia has turned into a national awards sweep.

The Iowa State redshirt sophomore was named the Maxwell National Player of the Week on Wednesday, adding another major honor after his five-touchdown explosion in the Cyclones’ 45-42 win over the Mountaineers.

Flora has now collected six weekly honors stemming from that performance.

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