Lifestyle
6 days ago in Lifestyle
What to know about student loan repayment plans and collections
It's been a confusing time for people with student loans. Collections restarted, then were put on hold. At the same time, borrowers had to stay on top of changes to key forgiveness plans.
6 days ago in Lifestyle
Why some women choose Galentines over Valentines. And how they might celebrate
Galentine's Day became a pop culture phenomenon with a 2010 episode of the TV comedy "Parks and Recreation" that celebrated female friendships around Valentine's Day. Amy Poehler's character, Leslie Knope, gathered her gal pals on Feb. 13.
2 weeks 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 weeks 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.
2 weeks 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.
National
6 hours ago in National, Trending
Presidents Day 2026: Here’s what’s open and closed on the holiday
Government offices, the stock market and schools are closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day, but most big retailers are open. When in doubt, call ahead or look up more specific schedules online for stores in your neighborhood.
3 days ago in National
Inflation measure falls to nearly five-year low as gas prices fall and housing costs cool
A key measure of inflation fell to nearly a five-year low last month as apartment rental price growth slowed and gas prices fell, offering some relief to Americans grappling with the sharp cost increases of the past five years.
4 days ago in National
Federal authorities announce an end to the immigration crackdown in Minnesota
The immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to mass detentions, protests and two deaths is coming to an end, border czar Tom Homan said Thursday.
5 days ago in National
Alex Murdaugh continues to insist he didn’t kill wife and son as he gets another day in court
Alex Murdaugh has admitted he is a thief, a liar, an insurance cheat, a drug addict and a bad lawyer. But even from behind bars he continues to adamantly deny he is a killer.
5 days ago in National
Trump administration says El Paso airspace closure was tied to Mexican cartel drones
The Federal Aviation Administration reopened the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas on Wednesday morning, just hours after it announced a 10-day closure that would have grounded all flights to and from the airport.
5 days ago in National
Attorney General Bondi will face questions from Congress on Epstein and investigation of lawmakers
Attorney General Pam Bondi will face questions from lawmakers Wednesday over the Justice Department's handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein that have exposed sensitive private information about victims despite redaction efforts.
6 days ago in National
Gov. Tim Walz says federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota could end within days
Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday that he expects the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota will end in "days, not weeks and months," based on his recent conversations with top Trump administration officials.
6 days ago in National
FBI releases first surveillance images of masked person on Nancy Guthrie’s porch
Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie released the first surveillance images Tuesday showing a masked person with what looked like a handgun holster on her porch the night she went missing more than a week ago.
Sports
1 hour ago in Local, Local sports, Sports
KICD 9-County Area 2026 IHSAA State Wrestling Championships Central
KICD 9-County Area Competitors and Matches through the 2026 IHSAA State Wrestling Championships
5 hours ago in Olympics, Sports
Bold new US trio eyes Olympic figure skating gold while serving as role models for a new generation
The trio of U.S. women targeting Olympic figure skating gold Tuesday night are not the dainty ice princesses of yesteryear.
5 hours ago in Sports, Trending
Good game, bad dunk contest. The highs and lows of an eventful NBA All-Star weekend
If you still didn't like the NBA's newest All-Star Game format, you probably just don't like All-Star games. That seemed to be the sports sphere's consensus after the U.S.-against-the-world, round-robin tournament Sunday produced three thrilling mini-games and several impressive individual performances.
3 days ago in Sports
Chris Paul, the ‘Point God,’ retires as All-Star weekend begins, ending a 21-season NBA run
Chris Paul, the "Point God" who was a 12-time All-Star selection and two-time Olympic gold medalist, announced his retirement on Friday in the capper of a 21-season career that will surely merit induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
3 days ago in Sports
A healthy Shohei Ohtani eyes the one major award he hasn’t won — a Cy Young Award
Shohei Ohtani is a five-time All-Star, a four-time Most Valuable Player, a two-time World Series winner and a World Baseball Classic champion, giving him a sparkling baseball resume that no current player can touch. The only major honor he hasn't won? A Cy Young Award.
3 days ago in Entertainment, Sports
Taylor Swift rumors spiked ticket sales for Pebble Beach golf tournament
Pebble Beach had an extra buzz Friday morning with rumors swirling in the cool Pacific breeze Swift would be there to watch her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, playing in the PGA Tour event that combines corporate CEOs and celebrities with golf's best.
3 days ago in Local, Local sports, Sports
2026 IHSAA State Swimming Championship Central
Keep up with the Spencer Boys Swimming Team as they compete at the 2026 IHSAA State Championships
3 days ago in Local, Local sports, Sports
High School Basketball Scores: 2/12/26
Girls Postseason Class 1A Region 1 South O’Brien 71 Boyden-Hull 52 Class 1A Region 2 West Bend-Mallard 58 Ankeny Christian…
Local News
1 hour ago in Local, Local sports, Sports
KICD 9-County Area 2026 IHSAA State Wrestling Championships Central
KICD 9-County Area Competitors and Matches through the 2026 IHSAA State Wrestling Championships
5 hours ago in Clay County Fair, Local
Clay County Fair Association Invites New Members to Join
The Clay County Fair Association annual meeting is Tuesday February 24th.
5 hours ago in Entertainment, Local
Sound of Music Tickets on Sale Now
Steve Deutcsch says tickets already went on sale for members last week and encourages you to buy early.
5 hours ago in Local
Chamber Announces Updates Eggs & Issues Format
The next Eggs and Issues event is scheduled February 21, with the final forum on Saturday March 28.
5 hours ago in Local
Investigation Update and Scholarship Established in ILCC Baseball Players Name
A separate Baseball Family Relief Fund is also active to assist the dozens of players and families still recovering.
5 hours ago in Local
Top 100 Again for Spencer Hospital
Spencer is the only hospital in Iowa to make the list every single year since the award started.
3 days ago in Local, Local sports, Sports
2026 IHSAA State Swimming Championship Central
Keep up with the Spencer Boys Swimming Team as they compete at the 2026 IHSAA State Championships
3 days ago in Local
City Budget Committee
Spencer City Council Budget committee completes their line-by-line review of departmental budgets, capital improvements, and disbursement of Lodging and Sales tax revenue.
Entertainment
5 hours ago in Entertainment
Powered by women, ‘Wuthering Heights’ digs up $34.8 million at the box office for a No. 1 debut
Emerald Fennell's bold reimagining of "Wuthering Heights" brought crowds of women to movie theaters this weekend.
3 days ago in Entertainment, Sports
Taylor Swift rumors spiked ticket sales for Pebble Beach golf tournament
Pebble Beach had an extra buzz Friday morning with rumors swirling in the cool Pacific breeze Swift would be there to watch her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, playing in the PGA Tour event that combines corporate CEOs and celebrities with golf's best.
3 days ago in Entertainment
After 800 episodes, ‘The Simpsons’ creators look back — and ahead
Eight hundred episodes, 37 seasons, and one four-fingered family that refuses to age. As "The Simpsons" hits a milestone few series have ever glimpsed this weekend, the architects behind Springfield are reflecting on the choices that turned crude 1987 shorts from "The Tracey Ullman Show" into a cultural juggernaut.
Music
6 days ago in Entertainment, Music
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show sparks global streaming surge, Apple Music data shows
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance translated into an immediate surge in global listening, with new data from Apple Music showing sharp gains across streaming charts, playlists and music discovery platforms in the hours following the show.
2 weeks 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.
2 weeks 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.




































