TAG SEARCH RESULTS FOR: ""

Mahaska Chamber to Host Buyers Breakfast at Southern Iowa Fair

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska Chamber & Development Group Diplomats invite Chamber members and friends of the Southern Iowa Fair to the next Mahaska Mixer for  pancakes, sausage and drink served by Chris Cakes. Also known as the Buyers’ Breakfast, the event is hosted by the Fair Board and the Chamber Diplomats on Saturday, July 19, from 6:30-8:00 a.m. The event will be held in the Wash Rack Building at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds just south of the Pavilion. 

Following a full week enjoying the fair, plan to join others for breakfast and show your appreciation to all who continue to make the Southern Iowa Fair new and exciting year after year. Appreciation is extended to the Fair Board, 4-H, FFA, participants, leaders, sponsors, and anyone responsible for making the fair possible. The livestock ribbon auction begins at 8 am in the pavilion.

Trump will sign an order extending deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell app

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will sign an executive order this week to extend a deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner to divest the popular video sharing app, the White House announced Tuesday.

Trump had signed an order in early April to keep TikTok running for an additional 75 days after a potential deal to sell the app to American owners was put on ice.

“As he has said many times, President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “This extension will last 90 days, which the Administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure.”

Trump had told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington early Tuesday from the Group of Seven summit in Canada that he “probably” would extend the deadline again.

Trump also said he thinks Chinese President Xi Jinping will “ultimately approve” a deal to divest TikTok’s business in the United States.

It will be the third time Trump has extended the deadline.

The first one was through an executive order on Jan. 20, his first day in office, after the platform went dark briefly when the ban approved by Congress — and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court — took effect.

The second was in April, when White House officials believed they were nearing a deal to spin off TikTok into a new company with U.S. ownership that fell apart after China backed out following Trump’s tariff announcement.

It is not clear how many times Trump can — or will — keep extending the ban as the government continues to try to negotiate a deal for TikTok, which is owned by China’s ByteDance. Trump has amassed more than 15 million followers on TikTok since he joined last year, and he has credited the trendsetting platform with helping him gain traction among young voters. He said in January that he has a “warm spot for TikTok.”

North Mahaska Softball Wins, Baseball Loses vs BGM

Posted on by Sam Parsons

SOFTBALL

NEW SHARON – BGM’s desire to upset South Iowa Cedar League contender North Mahaska came up short Monday. North Mahaska scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning and held the Bear softball team to single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to score a 5-2 victory.

North Mahaska got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Addison Falb walked and stole second. Kylie Van Weelden reached on an error and Falb moved to third base. 

Cali Sampson singled to center field scoring Falb. BGM committed an error on Maddie Doonan’s ground ball, then Kaylia Shipman grounded into a fielder’s choice scoring Sampson. Regan Grewe doubled down the left field line, scoring Shipman. Bailee Bandstra came in to run for Van Weelden and stole second. 

BGM scored one run in the top of the fourth on a solo home run to right field by Karagyn Minnaert. Minnaert singled in the top of the fifth inning and scored on Cara Arment’s single.

Grewe earned the win for North Mahaska. She surrendered seven hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out six and walking two. Arment took the loss for BGM. The pitcher went six innings, giving up five runs on three hits, striking out two and walking one.

BASEBALL

North Mahaska outhit the BGM Bears but could not overcome BGM pitching in a 9-6 South Iowa Cedar League baseball game. NM trailed 9-1 but scored five in the final two innings before the Bears closed the door.

BGM pitcher Jacksyn Bullers faced 14 Warhawk batters and stuck out eight. In his four innings of work, he gave up one run on four hits with no walks. 

A walk, single, a double and flyout put the Bears up 2-0. Two more singles brought in another run for a 3-0 lead. North Mahaska’s Dane Van Mersbergen singled and went to second on an error in the bottom of the second inning. He scored the Warhawks’ first run on Ryan Groom’s double.

BGM, 8-5, added a run in the third and tallied four in the fourth to take control of the contest. They would add another insurance run in the sixth.

In the Warhawk half of the sixth, Tyson Ferguson was hit by a pitch then Jack Kelderman and Van Mersbergen hit back-to-back singles to score Ferguson. Groom reached on an error to score Kelderman and Van Mersbergen came in on Logan Baldock’s fielder’s choice.

In the seventh Lucas Nunnikhoven doubled with one out. With two out, Kelderman singled home Nunnikhoven. Van Mersbergern hit his third single to bring home Kelderman. A flyout ended the game and the Warhawk rally.

Van Mersbergen hit three singles, and Groom hit two singles and a double with two RBI. Kelderman hit a pair of singles with an RBI, and Nunnikhoven stroked a single and a double.

Kelderman took the loss from the mound. He gave up eight runs on 10 hits and a walk. He fanned two batters. Van Mersbergen threw 3 2/3 innings behind Kelderman. He allowed a run on a hit, a walk, hit batsman and a strikeout. Rylan Spray pitched 1/3 of an inning.

Tucker Wright and Cael Coburn each drove in three runs for the Bears. Wright stole five bases in the game. Robby Tometich threw 2 1/3 innings allowing three runs on two hits, a hit batsman and two strikeouts. Beau Burns tossed the final 2/3 inning yielding two runs on two singles and a double.

North Mahaska, 7-6, hosts Keota Wednesday then travels to Lynnville-Sully Thursday. They will close out the week Friday hosting HLV/Tri-County.

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Strong storms swept through parts of northern Iowa last week, bringing hail that damaged some corn and soybean fields. Despite that unwelcomed severe weather, most of the state experienced a good mix of rain and seasonal temperatures that helped the crops progress,” said Secretary Naig. “As summer officially arrives this week, forecasts are showing warmer-than-normal temperatures and continued chances of storms and widespread showers.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report
Farmers had 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 15, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Damaging hail and wind was reported in parts of northern Iowa, which also received the most significant rainfall during the week. Field activities included cutting hay, side dressing and spraying crops.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 29 percent short, 60 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

At 97 percent, nearly all of Iowa’s corn crop has emerged, ahead of last year’s pace but matching the 5-year average. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 63 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Ninety-three percent of soybeans have emerged, 1 week ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 62 percent good and 18 percent excellent. Iowa’s oat crop reached 69 percent headed and 19 percent turning color. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 65 percent good and 19 percent excellent.

Eighty-eight percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. The second cutting reached 16 percent complete. Hay condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 69 to percent good to excellent. No major livestock concerns were reported.

Knoxville Woman Arrested in Bussey for Allegedly Burning American Flags While Naked

Posted on by Sam Parsons

BUSSEY – A Knoxville woman now faces several charges after authorities say she burned American flags while naked in the city of Bussey earlier this week.

Court records show that on Monday morning, at around 4:26am, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a female within Bussey city limits who was lighting American flags on fire. When deputies were dispatched to the area, they found a female matching the given description, allegedly with an American flag tied around her head and not wearing any pants or underwear. The female was identified as 21-year-old Brianna Laird of Knoxville, but she allegedly gave deputies a false name when they attempted to identify her.

According to court records, when deputies tried to arrest Laird, she resisted arrest and hit a deputy in the face. Authorities say she was eventually placed into handcuffs and put in the back seat of a patrol car, but before the deputy shut the door, she is said to have kicked the officer.

It was later learned that the flags that were taken by Laird belonged to the city of Bussey. Laird also allegedly had a bag on her person that was confiscated and searched, and authorities say it contained drug paraphernalia.

As a result of the incident, Laird is being charged with third degree arson, fifth degree criminal mischief, assault on a law enforcement officer, indecent exposure, possession of drug paraphernalia, fifth degree theft, and interference with official acts.

Disney to pay almost $439 million to take full control of streaming service Hulu

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PORTLAND (AP) — Disney will pay Comcast’s NBCUniversal nearly $439 million for its stake in Hulu, taking full control of the streaming service.

The move closes out an appraisal process that’s dragged on for a few years. Disney said in November 2023 that it was acquiring a 33% stake in Hulu from Comcast for at least $8.6 billion. That amount reflected Hulu’s guaranteed floor value of $27.5 billion, according to a regulatory filing.

Disney has run Hulu since 2019, when Comcast ceded its authority to Disney and effectively became a silent partner.

Hulu began in 2007 and quickly evolved into as a service backed by entertainment conglomerates who hoped to stave off the internet with an online platform for their own TV shows. Disney joined in 2009, planning to offer shows from ABC, ESPN and the Disney Channel. A decade later, Disney gained majority control of the business when it acquired 21st Century Fox.

Disney said in a regulatory filing on Monday that its appraiser arrived at a valuation below the guaranteed floor value during the initial phase of the appraisal process, while NBCUniversal’s appraiser arrived at a valuation substantially in excess of the guaranteed floor value.

A third appraiser was brought in and concluded that The Walt Disney Co. will pay $438.7 million for the Hulu stake.

“We are pleased this is finally resolved. We have had a productive partnership with NBCUniversal, and we wish them the best of luck,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. “Completing the Hulu acquisition paves the way for a deeper and more seamless integration of Hulu’s general entertainment content with Disney+ and, soon, with ESPN’s direct-to-consumer product, providing an unrivaled value proposition for consumers.”

The transaction is anticipated to close by July 24. It’s not expected to impact Disney’s fiscal 2025 adjusted earnings forecast.

Shares of Disney rose slightly in morning trading on Tuesday.

Help stop the spread of invasive species in your community

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Invasive species, like emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, spongy moth and oriental bittersweet threaten Iowa’s ecosystem by competing with and destroying native trees and disrupting the natural complex habitat system.

Iowa woodlands, wildlands and waterways draw hundreds of thousands of tourists and recreational users each year. Much of the spread of invasive species comes from people simply enjoying nature. Uninvited guests can hitch a ride on outdoor gear, shoes and clothes, traveling hundreds of miles in a single day.

Take these easy steps to stop the spread of invasive species in your community.

  • Verify that the plants you buy for your yard or garden are not invasive. Many non-native plants can become invasive. Find quick ID photos and common management techniques to control 19 invasive trees, shrubs and plants on the DNR webpage at iowadnr.gov/programs-services/forestry-resources/forest-tree-health/invasive-plants
  • Look for spongy moth egg masses on all outdoor equipment when traveling from a spongy moth quarantined area.
  • Clean your boots before and after you hike in a new area to avoid spreading seeds. This is a common way garlic mustard and other plants are spread.
  • Do not buy or sell firewood from outside your county. Firewood can contain emerald ash borer, Sirex woodwasp, Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt and many more pests. Plenty of firewood is available locally near state and county parks. Make sure to burn all of the firewood at the campsite and not leave it or transport to a new area.
  • Work with your private lands district forester for plans to make your forests more resilient to invasive species. Find contact information and forest landowner assistance resources online at iowadnr.gov/programs-services/forestry-resources/forestry-landowner-assistance.

Learn more about forest invasive species on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/invasives.

North Mahaska Baseball, Softball Sweep English Valleys

Posted on by Sam Parsons

BASEBALL

NEW SHARON – North Mahaska used a big first inning to roll past English Valleys 12-0 in five innings. The Warhawks tallied eight in the first inning and two in each of the next two frames. NM limited English Valleys to just one hit.

Dan VanMersbergen continued his hitting streak blasting a single and double to drive in three runs. Luke Boender hit a double with an RBI. Ryan Groom, Dylan Meland and Tyson Ferguson hit RBI-singles and Lucas Nunnikhoven hit a single.

Jaxon VanDerVeer picked up the mound win allowing one hit and striking out nine. His English Valleys counterpart Cael Grove worked 2 1/3 innings yielding 11 runs on seven hits, five walks, a hit batsman and four strikeouts. Will Luers threw 1.1 innings with a run on one hit, a walk, two hit batsmen and three strikeouts.

North Mahaska evens their season mark to 5-5. English Valleys falls to 0-7. The Warhawks hit the road to Belle Plaine Wednesday and Iowa Valley on Friday.

SOFTBALL

North Mahaska’s softball team took advantage of 10 hits and six English Valleys errors to post a 12-2 South Iowa Cedar League victory Monday.

English valley got on the board in the top of the first inning after Aubrey Achenbach walked. With one out, Ava Gehrking singled down the right field line scoring Auchenbach. The Bears tallied another run when Gehrking scored on Taylor Mikesell’s flyout.

In the NM half of the first Kaylia Shipman walked and worked her way to third. She was able to dart for home on a pass ball to cut the lead in half. Both teams were scoreless in the second inning to remain 2-1 in favor of the Bears.

North Mahaska blew the game wide open in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs on four hits to take the lead, 6-2. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Regan Grewe that drove in two. The Warhawks ended the game in the fourth inning when they scored six runs on five hits. Grewe doubled, scoring one run, Addie Falb singled, scoring two runs, Cali Sampson drew a walk, scoring one run, and Maddie Doonan drew a walk, scoring one run.

Grewe earned the win for North Mahaska. She surrendered three hits and two runs over four innings, striking out four and walking three. 

Kaylynn Caster took the loss for English Valley. She went 3 2/3 innings, surrendering 12 runs (seven earned) on nine hits, striking out one and walking eight.

Grewe and Shipman each collected two hits for North Mahaska. Grewe drove in three runs. North Mahaska had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating eight walks for the game. Sampson and Doonan led the team with two walks each. Shipman and Lydia Howell each stole multiple bases. NM ran wild on the base paths, amassing eight stolen bases for the game.

Gerking and Mikesell were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in one run for English valley. Gerking, Mikesell, and Morrow each collected one hit for English valley.

Oskaloosa School Board Appoints Sharma Parlett to Fill Vacancy on 4-2 Vote

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa Community School Board held a regular meeting last night and appointed a new board member to fill the vacant seat left by the resignation of former board member Charlie Comfort.

The board appointed former OCSD board member Sharma Parlett on a 4-2 vote. Board members Matt Sherlock, Aaron Hinnah, Sarah Hall, and Amanda McGraw voted for Parlett, while board members Kathy Butler and Clint O’Day voted for Scott Van Veldhuizen, the only other candidate to officially receive a nomination by the board.

The vote means that the decision on a new school board member will not go to a special election. Iowa code stipulates that school boards have 30 days to fill a vacancy via appointment before they are required to conduct a special election, and last night’s board meeting falls within the 30-day window of Comfort’s resignation, which was made effective on May 14. At the board’s previous meeting, superintendent Mike Fisher noted that such an election could cost the district about $10,000.

Board member Aaron Hinnah justified his support of Parlett by saying that his main criteria for the ideal candidate is similar to what it would be for other walks of life.

Audio Player

Board member Amanda McGraw was the only board member to change her vote from the meeting on May 27. She said that recent events had taken a toll.

Audio Player

Sharma Parlett will fill the vacant seat for the remainder of its term, which lasts through 2025.

The next regular meeting for the Oskaloosa School Board will be held on July 8.

Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni’s $400M lawsuit against ‘It Ends With Us’ costar Blake Lively

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge on Monday dismissed the lawsuit filed by actor and director Justin Baldoni against his “It Ends With Us” costar Blake Lively after she sued him for sexual harassment and retaliation.

U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman’s decision is the latest development in the bitter legal battle surrounding the dark romantic drama that includes Lively suing Baldoni in late December.

Baldoni and production company Wayfarer Studios countersued in January for $400 million, accusing Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion.

The New York judge ruled that Baldoni can’t sue Lively for defamation over claims she made in her lawsuit, because allegations made in a lawsuit are exempt from libel claims. Liman also ruled that Baldoni’s claims that Lively stole creative control of the film didn’t count as extortion under California law.

While Lively was accused in the lawsuit of threatening to refuse to promote the film, Wayfarer does “not allege facts showing that Lively had an obligation to promote the film or to approve marketing materials,” Liman wrote.

Baldoni’s legal team can revise the lawsuit if they want to pursue different claims related to whether Lively breached a contract, the judge said.

“It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel that begins as a romance but takes a dark turn into domestic violence, was released in August, exceeding box office expectations with a $50 million debut. But the movie’s release was shrouded by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni.

The judge also dismissed Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, which had reported on Lively’s sexual harassment allegations.

“Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, (publicist) Leslie Sloane and The New York Times,” Lively’s attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, said in a prepared statement.

The lawyers said they “look forward to the next round” of seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages.

A spokesperson for The New York Times said they were “grateful to the court for seeing the lawsuit for what it was: a meritless attempt to stifle honest reporting.”

“Our journalists went out and covered carefully and fairly a story of public importance, and the court recognized that the law is designed to protect just that sort of journalism,” Charlie Stadtlander said in an emailed statement.

The Associated Press sent emails seeking comment to Baldoni’s attorneys.

Lively appeared in the 2005 film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and the TV series “Gossip Girl” from 2007 to 2012 before starring in films including “The Town” and “The Shallows.”

Baldoni starred in the TV comedy “Jane the Virgin,” directed the 2019 film “Five Feet Apart” and wrote “Man Enough,” a book challenging traditional notions of masculinity.

NEWSLETTER

Stay updated, sign up for our newsletter.