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Newspaper delivery may be delayed due to weather

Due to the inclement weather, some subscribers may not receive a physical copy of their newspaper today. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding of this process, and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. A reminder to our readers that an "e edition" of the Messenger is always available as part of your subscription. Visit our website and click on "Today's Paper" at the top of the page, log in to your account, and all Messenger's pages are published daily in an easy-to-read PDF format. Stories are also available live on the web and available to all subscribers ...

Larson, Meyer support school funding bill

The Iowa House of Representatives on Thursday approved an additional $105 million for the state’s school districts. State representatives Wendy Larson, R-Odebolt and Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, voted for the bill. The House bill provides a 2 percent increase in State Supplemental Aid to schools. That increase would raise the basic state aid to schools to $8,148 per student. Earlier this year, the state Senate approved an increase of $100 million or 1.75 percent. Larson said education spending accounts for more than 50 percent of the state’s roughly $9 billion budget. She ...

Health care bills from Meyer clear funnel

Three health care measures introduced by state Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, survived Thursday’s legislative deadline called the funnel and are eligible for future debate. Two of those bills would make it illegal for insurance companies to require their approval, sometimes called pre-authorization, before patients can receive some kinds of treatment. “What we are seeing is basically insurance companies dictating what a provider can do for a patient,” Meyer said. She said it can take seven to 10 days to get pre-authorization from an insurance company. One of the measures ...

Go and Do: Feb. 20, 2026

Around the area WEBSTER CITY — The Hamilton County Speedway Association will hold its 24th annual Chili Supper on SATURDAY. This event will include hot laps at 5 p.m., the supper at 6 p.m. and auction at 7 p.m. The $10 admission includes the supper, voting rights and a $5 raffle ticket. Kids 12 and under eat free. This is a BYOB event, and the auction will be of sports racing memorabilia. In Fort Dodge FORT DODGE — Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. TODAY at Holy Trinity Parish Center, 405 N. Eighth St. Dinners include fried fish, baked fish, shrimp or ...

Two hour delay at St. Edmond

There will be a two hour late start Friday at St. Edmond Catholic School in Fort Dodge due to winter weather conditions. Doors and SEAS will open at 9:30AM.

Performing the arts

To get better on stage, it takes practice and work. The Fort Dodge Senior High School Large Group speech participants did exactly that and recently received honors for their work throughout the season. First, a district meet was held and then groups advanced to state, where selections ...