News

3 hours ago in National

Trump executive order tries to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday aiming to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War — a long-telegraphed move aimed at projecting American military toughness around the globe.

3 hours ago in Sports

MLB’s regular season enters its final 3 weeks. Here’s a look at the playoff picture and awards races

The 2025 season has produced a surprising show of parity through the first five months of the regular season. While most of the league's big spenders — teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and New York Mets — are in good position to make the playoffs and do damage in October, they haven't been as dominant as many expected.

4 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

This year’s song of the summer is a ballad, not a banger. Here’s what that says about us

For the past 14 weeks and counting, the top Billboard spot has been held by a love ballad: Alex Warren's "Ordinary." As Berklee College of Music professor and forensic musicologist Joe Bennett notes, the February release is "a fair bit slower than the mean average for the Hot 100, or for a historical song of the summer."

7 hours ago in

Spencer Flood Book First Look

Ordering on Amazon is the easiest way to get a copy, but the public can stop by Arts on Grand in Spencer to look at the book and place an order.

7 hours ago in

Jack Elgersma, 73, Sanborn

Services for 73 year old Jack Elgersma of Sanborn will be Monday, September 8th at 10:00am at the Christian Reformed…

10 hours ago in Sports

Defending champion Eagles edge Cowboys 24-20 in wild, lightning-delayed NFL season opener

Through spit and rain, a ceremony and a setback, Jalen Hurts and the Super Bowl champion Eagles weathered the storm and showed why they're again a favorite to hoist a second straight Lombardi Trophy.

10 hours ago in Sports

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in the U.S. Open women’s final

On Saturday, when she faces No. 8 Amanda Anisimova in the final, the No. 1-seeded Sabalenka will be trying to become the first woman to claim consecutive championships at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams got three in a row from 2012 to 2014.

10 hours ago in Entertainment

Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour, Ralph Lauren and more pay tribute to Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani's work spanned the worlds of celebrity, fashion and power. His death announced Thursday at age 91 has elicited an outpouring of tributes.

10 hours ago in Entertainment

Al Roker lends his voice and meteorology skills to the new PBS Kids animated show ‘Weather Hunters’

This fall, everyone's favorite weatherman is getting a kick out of launching his own educational cartoon TV show — "Weather Hunters," which premieres Monday on PBS Kids.

10 hours ago in

Southern Rust Prevalent in Northwest Iowa Corn Crop

Sorenson says farmers should be careful not to inhale the Southern Rust spores when they're combining.

10 hours ago in

Clay County Long Term Recovery Group Updates Spencer City Council

Megan Hanges with LTRG gave the Spencer City Council an update at the latest council meeting, and says through collaboration and networking, more help is still coming in to the community.

10 hours ago in

Sheldon Gets Ready for Clean-Up Week

The city reminds residents that you must sign-up and make payments by Tuesday, September 9th.

10 hours ago in

August Stats from Spencer PD and FD

Warburton says, Cooper Sykes was certified by the Iowa Law Academy in August, bringing that distinction to all of Spencer's officers.

10 hours ago in

Spencer Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft at Hartley Convenience Store

A Spencer woman has pleaded guilty to fifth-degree theft following an incident at a convenience store in Hartley.

10 hours ago in

Driver Cited After Vehicle Strikes Farm Machinery Near Hull

A collision involving a passenger vehicle and farm machinery left one person with minor injuries.

10 hours ago in

Nelson Announces Re-Election Plans for Spencer City Council

Tom Nelson was first appointed to the Ward One council seat in 2019.

14 hours ago in

Norma Dotson, 93, Spencer

Funeral Services for Norma Dotson, 93, Spencer will be held Monday, September 8th at United Methodist Church – Spencer at…

1 day ago in Entertainment, Music

Justin Bieber announces ‘Swag ll’ will arrive Friday

Never say never... again? In July, Justin Bieber surprised fans by releasing his seventh studio album, "Swag," hours after he teased it on billboards and social media posts. It turns out, he wasn't done yet. On Thursday morning, Bieber shared that "Swag II" will arrive on Friday.

1 day ago in Entertainment, Trending

Giorgio Armani, who dressed the powerful and famous from boardroom to Hollywood, dies at 91

Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian designer who turned the concept of understated elegance into a multibillion-dollar fashion empire, died Thursday, his fashion house confirmed. He was 91.

1 day ago in

Lambert Hoffman, 94, Graettinger

A Mass of Christian Burial for Lambert Hoffman, 94, of Graettinger will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate…

Recent Headlines

4 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

This year’s song of the summer is a ballad, not a banger. Here’s what that says about us

For the past 14 weeks and counting, the top Billboard spot has been held by a love ballad: Alex Warren's "Ordinary." As Berklee College of Music professor and forensic musicologist Joe Bennett notes, the February release is "a fair bit slower than the mean average for the Hot 100, or for a historical song of the summer."

10 hours ago in Entertainment

Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour, Ralph Lauren and more pay tribute to Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani's work spanned the worlds of celebrity, fashion and power. His death announced Thursday at age 91 has elicited an outpouring of tributes.

10 hours ago in Entertainment

Al Roker lends his voice and meteorology skills to the new PBS Kids animated show ‘Weather Hunters’

This fall, everyone's favorite weatherman is getting a kick out of launching his own educational cartoon TV show — "Weather Hunters," which premieres Monday on PBS Kids.