News

UNI president announces 2027 retirement

By BROOKLYN DRAISEY University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook has announced his upcoming retirement as the institution celebrates record-breaking fundraising and 150 years in existence. The Cedar Falls university president, who began his tenure in February 2017, shared with the UNI community Friday morning his intentions to retire at the end of the 2026-2027 academic year with the commitment to stay at UNI until his successor arrives. Nook said in a news release from the institution that serving UNI and the state has been “one of the greatest privileges” of he and his wife, ...

Venezuelan man sues ICE over detention in Muscatine County Jail

By CLARK KAUFFMAN A Venezuelan citizen held by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement in the Muscatine County Jail for almost six months is taking the federal government to court over the matter. Albin Jose Nunez Romero has filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa against Muscatine County Sheriff Quinn Riess; Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin; David Easterwood, an ICE field office director, and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. In his lawsuit, Romero alleges he entered the United States on a flight to Miami in October 2019. ...

From our files: October 2011

‘A moment I will never forget’

When Reba McEntire took the stage Wednesday night to sing Dolly Parton’s gospel classic “He’s Alive,” a group of 25 singers accompanied her. One of them was Grace Casciato, of Fort Dodge. The Belmont University senior was in the front row of the students singing with the country ...

DNR to add to local fishing spot

MOORLAND — A delivery of about 1,500 rainbow trout to Moorland Pond on Tuesday will give Webster County anglers a chance to try trout fishing close to home, and could help newcomers discover the sport. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to stock Moorland Pond as part of its ...

Go and Do: Oct. 23, 2026

Around the area LEHIGH — Lord’s Portion Supper and Bake Sale is set for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. SATURDAY at the Lehigh United Methodist Church, 386 Spencer Hill St. Meal includes Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, salad, roll, pie and drink. Meal is $15 for adults, $7 for those ...