DES MOINES — Today, Governor Kim Reynolds and Senate Republicans are announcing a compromise for an overall budget of $9.417 billion for Fiscal Year 2026. These targets include the education funding agreement of just over $1 billion from earlier in session.

IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa tennis team has earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament, it was announced Monday during the NCAA Selection Show. It is the Hawkeyes’ first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years.

James Rodamaker, 80, of Iowa Falls, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Scenic Manor. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David; brothers, Jerry Rodamaker, Joe Rodamaker and three wives.

Norma “Noni” June (Anderson) Farrell, 79, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center with family at her side. A Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel.

MASON CITY - Afternoon rage possibly consumed a woman Saturday, as she allegedly decided to make an appearance in downtown Mason City, wield a baseball bat, and perform a Babe Ruth impersonation upon innocent parked cars, allegedly smashing side mirrors and windshields, before cops arrived en masse. However, the hijinks and potential danger had only just begun.

OSAGE - Marijuana is still mostly illegal in Iowa, and a Minnesota couple recently found out that law enforcement here does not play games about enforcing illicit drug laws. The state of Minnesota enacted a new law, effective August 1, 2023, that makes cannabis legal for adults 21 and older to possess and consume. However, in Iowa, no flower (loose leaf, “joints,” etc.) or THC-infused edibles (“gummies,” chocolates, etc.) are allowed.

OSAGE - This Mason City resident of the South Jefferson area found himself behind the wheel of a vehicle on two separate occasions recently, allegedly drunk, and law enforcement did not tolerate his supposed shenanigans, notching at least his fifth and sixth arrests for OWI.

Bryan A. Miller, 66, of Rockwell, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2025, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockwell.

Louie Kobliska age 75 of New Hampton passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton.

Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law on Friday that permits one member of a public charter school’s governing board to live outside the state.  Formerly, all board members were required to reside within Iowa.

DES MOINES — Governor Kim Reynolds has sued the Des Moines Register after the newspaper requested some of her email messages; she claims the lawsuit aims to "protect the use of executive privilege for all Iowa governors past, present, and future."

RURAL HAMILTON COUNTY - A man traveling through Iowa on his way to Wisconsin crashed his Hyundai Santa Fe just off an Interstate highway and was later found deceased in a secluded area, authorities say.

Cody Dean Clayton Miller age 28 of New Hampton died Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton.

Kathryn “Kathy” O’Connor age 88 of New Hampton, IA died Thursday, April 24, 2025, at MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church in New Hampton.

RINGSTED, IOWA - A pair of Minnesota suspects donned masks and descended upon a rural Northern Iowa homestead for potentially nefarious acts, then as cops and their drones and dogs closed in, hid in a pile of appliances, only to be uprooted and whisked away to be processed like rutabagas in the blender of justice.

Larry Keith Dixon, 85, of Mason City, IA passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Heritage Care and Rehabilitation Center in Mason City. In accordance with Larry’s wishes, a private inurnment will be held at a later date.

Thomas Clair Kellner, age 80 of Humboldt, formerly of Livermore, passed away April 24, 2025, at his home. Funeral services are currently pending.

Walgreen's to pay huge sum to federal government to resolve allegations that the national chain pharmacy illegally filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Hampton Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon at 11:45 p.m. at the Hampton United Methodist Church.

Rev. Walter J. Kleinfehn age 91 of Dubuque, IA, formerly of New Hampton, IA, died Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Stonehill Health Center in Dubuque. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2025, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton.

MASON CITY - Area law enforcement converged upon a North End Mason City neighborhood and executed a search warrant Friday, and a convicted felon is accused of gun trafficking and drug crimes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested for obstructing the arrest of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. This criminal illegal alien has a laundry list of violent criminal charges including strangulation and suffocation, battery, and domestic abuse. Ruiz has illegally entered the U.S. twice.

Timmy “Pastor Tim” Robbins, 54, of Charles City, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City. A funeral service for him will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church.

Robert “Bob” J. Reams, Sr. passed away on April 22, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, Iowa surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 25, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Sandi entered heaven’s gates with angel wings on Monday, April 21, 2025, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls.