Lifestyle

24 hours ago in Lifestyle

Renters use ‘rent now, pay later’ services to manage monthly payments, but fees raise concerns

Rent can eat up an entire paycheck at the start of the month, so a growing number of renters are turning to a financial product that promises relief by letting them split the bill — for a price.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours

If you want healthy food, experts say to eat what's local, organic and in-season. Those foods benefit the planet too, because they are less taxing on the soil and they don't travel as far. It doesn't get more local, organic and in-season than a backyard vegetable garden.

3 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

With caviar McNuggets and heart-shaped pizza, fast food chains hope to win Valentine’s diners

It's a tale as old as time, or at least as old as TikTok: chicken nuggets lovingly topped with a dab of caviar. McDonald's is embracing the trend this Valentine's Day with a limited-time McNugget Caviar kit. The free kit, which will be available on McNuggetCaviar.com on Feb. 10, pairs a one-ounce tin of Paramount's Siberian sturgeon caviar with a $25 McDonald's gift card to buy McNuggets.

1 week ago in Lifestyle

Where are those darn keys? Tricks for remembering where you put things

With a scarf dangling from your coat pocket and those gloves left behind at the coffee shop, there are simply more things to lose in winter. That's not counting your misplaced keys at home or those exasperated moments looking for your phone when you say, "I just had it!"

1 week ago in Lifestyle

Being a night owl may not be great for your heart but you can do something about it

Being a night owl can be bad for your heart. That may sound surprising but a large study found people who are more active late at night — when most of the population is winding down or already asleep — have poorer overall heart health than the average person.

National

24 hours ago in National

A timeline of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the fight to make the government’s files public

For much of two decades, police, FBI agents and prosecutors investigated allegations that Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused underage girls. Now, the Justice Department has released much of what they found to the public.

1 day ago in National

No public sign of a response to Savannah Guthrie’s message to her mother’s kidnapper

There was no public sign early Thursday of a response to NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie's message to her 84-year-old mother's kidnapper.

2 days ago in National, Trending

Man who tried to shoot Trump at a Florida golf course gets life in prison

A man convicted of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course in 2024 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison after a federal prosecutor said his crime was unacceptable "in this country or anywhere."

2 days ago in National

Trump’s border czar announces 700 immigration officers to immediately leave Minnesota

The Trump administration is reducing the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota after state and local officials agreed to cooperate by turning over arrested immigrants, border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday.

3 days ago in National, Trending

‘Today’ show host Savannah Guthrie asks for prayers to help bring her missing mom home

"Today" show host Savannah Guthrie is asking for prayers to help bring home her 84-year-old mother, whom authorities in Arizona believe was kidnapped, abducted or otherwise taken against her will.

4 days ago in National

Black History Month centennial channels angst over anti-DEI climate into education, free resources

In the 100th year since the nation's earliest observances of Black History Month — which began when scholar Carter G. Woodson pioneered the first Negro History Week — celebrations will go on. The current political climate has energized civil rights organizations, artists and academics to engage young people on a full telling of America's story.

4 days ago in National

5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and father return to Minnesota from ICE facility in Texas

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, who were detained by immigration officers in Minnesota and held at an ICE facility in Texas, were released following a judge's order and returned to Minnesota on Sunday, according to Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro.

4 days ago in National

Kennedy Center to close for 2 years for renovations in July, Trump says, after performers’ backlash

President Donald Trump said Sunday he will move to close Washington's Kennedy Center performing arts center for two years starting in July for construction, his latest proposal to upturn the storied venue since returning to the White House.

Sports

6 hours ago in Sports

Lindor, Correa off Puerto Rico’s WBC roster over insurance coverage, Báez for marijuana test

Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa were left off Puerto Rico's roster for the World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage and Javy Báez for a positive 2023 marijuana test, while defending champion Japan entered a top group Thursday led by World Series champions Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

6 hours ago in Sports

Matthew Stafford edges Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award

Matthew Stafford walked away with the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award and a declaration that he's returning to the Los Angeles Rams for another season.

6 hours ago in Olympics, Sports, Trending

The Milan Cortina Olympics will start with a four-site and two-cauldron opening ceremony

An unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron Winter Olympics opening ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture — plus American pop diva Mariah Carey — was scheduled to officially start the Milan Cortina Games on Friday as the sports spectacle returns to a nation that last hosted the event 20 years ago.

6 hours ago in Olympics, Sports

Lindsey Vonn tests injured left knee in Olympic downhill training, pumps fist after successful run

A week after rupturing the ACL in her left knee, Lindsey Vonn opened her chase for Olympic gold at the age of 41 with an aggressive and successful downhill training run on Friday — two days before the race.

1 day ago in Sports

Tarik Skubal wins salary arbitration case, will be paid record $32 million

Tarik Skubal won his salary arbitration hearing with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, and the two-time Cy Young Award winner will be paid a record $32 million this year instead of the team's $19 million offer.

1 day ago in Sports, Trending

Antetokounmpo remains with Bucks as NBA trade deadline passes

Giannis Antetokounmpo had been the center of attention heading into the trade deadline amid reports that the Milwaukee Bucks started listening to offers for the two-time MVP and nine-time all-NBA selection. But when the deadline arrived at 3 p.m. ET, Antetokounmpo remained in Milwaukee.

1 day ago in Olympics, Sports

Finland women’s Olympic hockey game vs. Canada postponed after stomach virus depletes roster

Finland women's hockey team's preliminary round-opening game against Canada on Thursday has been postponed due to a stomach virus depleting Finland's roster. The game was rescheduled to Feb. 12.

2 days ago in Olympics, Sports, Trending

Winter Olympics 2026 guide: All you need to know about the Milan Cortina Games

The start of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy is days away. The torch relay is nearly complete and some of the top athletes are already making headlines. There are 16 sports in all, including some never seen before, and 116 gold medals are waiting to be awarded.

Local News

4 hours ago in Local

Volunteers Encouraged to Contact Storm Lake City Hall for Neighborhood Program

It's designed to help elderly residents or those with disabilities who might struggle with mowing the lawn or shoveling snow.

4 hours ago in Local

Estherville City Announces Presidents Day Schedule

City Council meeting will still take place at 5:00 p.m. Monday in the City Council Chambers

5 hours ago in Business, Local

Spencer Chamber of Commerce Going Global with Trip to Iceland

Valentine's Day is always February 14th, and you probably always have a difficult time figuring out what to buy. Vacation? Chamber gift cards?

5 hours ago in Local, Outdoors

DNR Program Gets Scharnberg Park Stocked for Good Fishing

That's this Saturday, February 7 around noon, or when the truck arrives.

1 day ago in Local

Driver Escapes Injury After Losing Control on 500th Street

A Marcus man escaped injury after crashing his pickup in rural Clay County Friday.

1 day ago in Local

DNR Reports Strong Ice-Fishing Season Across Iowa Great Lakes

Iowa DNR

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says winter fishing conditions across the Iowa Great Lakes this year have been strong.

2 days ago in Local

Hotel-Motel Tax Revenue Funds City Grants, Applications Open Now

The City of Spencer has officially opened applications for the grant program

2 days ago in Local

Legislative Forum in Spencer Attracts a Crowd Saturday

One of the major topics of the morning was eminent domain and the future of carbon pipeline legislation

Entertainment

24 hours ago in Entertainment

Not just pups this time: ‘Puppy Bowl’ embraces older dogs

This year, the Puppy Bowl isn't just about puppies. Older dogs are getting some attention, too. There will be a halftime showdown between Team Oldies and Team Goldies, offering a showcase for senior dogs as a reminder that they also need adoption and love.

24 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Fans race to learn Spanish before Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show

Bad Bunny is expected to perform the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday entirely in Spanish — which has inspired fans to quickly learn the language.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Jon Hamm on hosting NFL Honors and ‘fellow Pisces’ Bad Bunny’s moment: ‘I applaud him as an artist’

When Jon Hamm first attended the NFL Honors, the league's annual awards show was still finding its footing. It was a relatively new addition to Super Bowl week that had yet to fully define what it would become.

Music

24 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Fans race to learn Spanish before Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show

Bad Bunny is expected to perform the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday entirely in Spanish — which has inspired fans to quickly learn the language.

4 days ago in Entertainment, Music, Trending

Bad Bunny wins album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards, a first for a Spanish-language album

Bad Bunny won album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for his critically-acclaimed "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," closing out a surprising and history-making night. It is the first time a Spanish-language album has taken home the top prize.

1 week ago in Entertainment, Music

What to know about the 2026 Grammys

Sunday's Grammys mark a return to normalcy after the 2025 show was altered to focus on Los Angeles-area wildfire relief efforts.