Candidates Finalized for Iowa’s 2026 Primary Election

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 2:00 pm CDT

The list of candidates for Iowa’s 2026 primary election is now finalized, giving voters a clearer picture of the races they will decide this summer.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s office announced the final list of candidates who filed nomination papers ahead of the March deadline. Voters will head to the polls on June 2nd to select party nominees for several statewide and federal offices.

For voters in Southeast Iowa, one of the key races will be Iowa’s First Congressional District. The district is currently represented by Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who is seeking another term. She faces a Republican primary challenge from David Pautsch. On the Democratic side, candidates include former state representative Christina Bohannan and health care worker Travis Terrell.

Several statewide races will also appear on the primary ballot.

In the race for Governor, Republicans running in the primary include Congressman Randy Feenstra, State Representative Eddie Andrews, businessman Zach Lahn, and former state agency director Adam Steen. Democrats running for governor include State Auditor Rob Sand and political strategist Julie Stauch.

Iowa voters will also select party nominees for the open U.S. Senate seat. On the Republican side, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is among the candidates seeking the nomination. Democrats running include State Senator Zach Wahls and State Representative Josh Turek.

Election officials say nomination papers can still be challenged through March 20, but once that process is complete, the candidates listed will appear on the June 2nd primary ballot across the state.

 

Jerry Alan Fitzgerald

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 1:39 pm CDT

Jerry Alan Fitzgerald, 77, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Memorial services celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 20th at Fairfield Friends Church in Fairfield. Burial will be at a later date at Maple Hill Cemetery in Birmingham. Memorials may be made to the family and sent to 704 S. 8th St. Cir, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Jerry was born October 30, 1948 the son of Hobart, Jr. and Marjory (Boos) Fitzgerald. He married Linda Coffin, July 22, 1967 in Birmingham. She preceded him in death February 9, 2020.

Jerry worked as a forklift operator for Agri-Plastics in Fairfield, retiring in 2008. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, going for drives in his car, and listening to music.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Shirley (Marty) Rainbolt of Batavia, Donna Smith and Patsy Peiffer, both of Fairfield; grandchildren, Dawna and Jerry Evans, Cheyenne Rainbolt, Zachary and Madelyn Smith, Samantha and Andrew Peiffer; great-grandchildren, Jason, Shannan, and Zinayah; brothers, Donald Fitzgerald, Bill (Joyce) Fitzgerald, and John Fitzgerald.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Brenda, and his grandson William.

City Council of Wayland Regular Meeting – March 18, 2026

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 1:37 pm CDT
MAYOR:  Travis Shelman

COUNCIL: Caylon DeVaul, Kathie Grimm, Jamie Roth, Chad Rohe, Mike Miller

CLERK: Beverly Conrad

TREAS: Terry Kaufman

ATTORNEY:  Lynch Dallas

 

Roll Call

Public Hearing – 7:30 pm – Sale of Real Property

Consent Agenda

Note:  These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.

  1. Minutes of March 4, 2026
  2. Bills for Payment
  3. Approved Building Permits

Citizen Forum

The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken.

 Unfinished Business

  1. Dakota Avenue – Street Maintenance Options (overlooked last meeting)
  2. Review/Approve Main Street Project – Engineering Services Agreement

 New Business

    1. 2026-09 Resolution Authorizing Sale of Real Property
    2. WEDC Presentation – Spec Housing (Duplexes) Proposal in Subdivision
    3. 2026-10 Resolution Granting Variance To Temporarily Conduct Open Burning Of Landscape/Yard Waste At Specified Place And For A Specified Purpose
    4. Fireworks Display Permit Application – WACO CSD (Graduation Ceremonies)
    5. Training–Bev Conrad–May 20-22, 2026–Clayton Energy Gas Meeting–Omaha, NE
    6. America250 Iowa Celebration – City Participation Ideas

Adjournment

Local Chambers of Commerce Partnering to Declare Random Acts of Kindness Day

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 1:24 pm CDT

The Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Burlington Chamber of Commerce and the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to declare March 19th (3-19) Random Acts of Kindness Day in the (319). We challenge all of you to be kind to one another on 3-19 in the (319). Here are some things you can do!

  • Do something special for your customers like putting out candy or cookies for anyone that comes in.
  • If you have a favorite store or restaurant, tell people about it on social media.
  • Maybe you have a colleague that is having a rough time, grab them a cup of coffee on your way to work.
  • Send flowers to someone special in your life.
  • Draw encouraging messages on the sidewalks with chalk.
  • Pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive-thru.

Smile, wave and say hello to everyone you meet on the street.
Invite others who live within the (319) area code to join you in being kind, not only on this day, but every day! Help us spread joy in our little corner of the world!

Mount Pleasant Personnel and Finance Committee to Review Health Insurance and Draft FY2027 Budget

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 1:13 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant Personnel and Finance Committee will meet later this week to review key financial matters for the city, including employee health insurance and the upcoming fiscal year budget.

According to the meeting agenda, the committee will gather on Thursday, March 19 at 9:00 a.m. at Mount Pleasant City Hall in the City Administrator’s Conference Room.

During the meeting, committee members will discuss the renewal of the city’s employee health insurance plan and review the first draft of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

The agenda also includes an open forum portion, allowing time for additional discussion before the meeting adjourns.

Personnel and Finance Committee meetings help guide financial planning for the City of Mount Pleasant and often provide an early look at budget priorities that may later be considered by the full city council.

 

Henry County Board of Supervisors Agenda – March 19, 2026

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 1:06 pm CDT

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St Ste 202

Mt Pleasant, IA  52641

Fax: 319-385-3601

Chad White, Chairman                 Marc Lindeen, Member              Steven Detrick, Vice-Chair

   319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                    319-385-0761________

 

AGENDA

Board of Supervisors

March 19, 2026

9:00 a.m.

 

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call of Members and Secretary

3. Consent Agenda

Note: These items are routine and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Board member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.

  • Approval of Board Minutes.
  • Approval of financial claims for payment.

 

4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

5. COMMITTEE UPDATES

ISAC Spring Conference attended by Steve, Marc, Chad, Robin, Lynnae, Joe, Jake, and Kellie.

 

6. NEW BUSINESS

  • Engineer Jake Hotchkiss-Secondary Roads updates
  • Mollie McKibben, Sexual abuse awareness month
  • Katie Reuter, General Assistance policy for FY 2027 / Fellowship Cup support

 

7. OTHER BUSINESS

  • Creation, formatting and notifications concerning BoS agenda’s 48-hour advance from department and office heads would be requested

 

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Note: The Board welcomes public comments on items not listed on the agenda. You are asked to state your name and address for the record and limit your comment to 3 minutes per person to allow opportunity for others to speak.

 

9. Adjourn

Mount Pleasant Now Connected to National Intercity Bus Network

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 12:52 pm CDT

Greyhound, a Flix North America brand and the largest provider of intercity bus services in the United States, is expanding service in Iowa with the launch of two new routes designed to strengthen connectivity throughout the region. The new routes will link Des Moines with key hubs in the Midwest, including Indianapolis and St. Louis, further integrating local communities into Greyhound’s national intercity bus network.

Several new stops will be introduced on these routes throughout Iowa, including Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, and Monroe, as well as an additional new stop in Quincy, Illinois.

Supported by the Iowa Department of Transportation, the new service expands access to reliable, affordable long-distance travel for residents in underserved areas, and reflects a broader trend of growing demand for intercity bus travel nationwide.

There will be one trip per day in each direction, 7 days a week. Service begins March 17, 2026, and tickets are available at greyhound.com or on the Greyhound mobile app.

 

DES MOINES TO ST. LOUIS STOPS INCLUDE: 

  • St. Louis, MO: St Louis Bus Station, 430 S 15Th St, Saint Louis, MO 63103
  • Quincy, IL: Quincy Public Transit Hub, 7th & Jersey St, Quincy, IL 62301
  • Mount Pleasant, IA: 2120 E Washington St, Mt Pleasant, IA 52641
  • Iowa City, IA: 170 E Court St, Iowa City, IA 52240
  • Cedar Rapids, IA: 4444 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
  • Marshalltown, IA: 3302 S Center St, Marshalltown, IA 50158
  • Des Moines, IA: 1641 E. Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316

 

DES MOINES TO INDIANAPOLIS STOPS INCLUDE: 

  • Des Moines, IA: 1641 E. Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
  • Monroe, IA: 201 Ralph St, Monroe, IA 50170
  • Oskaloosa, IA: 501 High Ave W, Oskaloosa, IA 52577
  • Ottumwa, IA: Corner Of E Main St & Market St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
  • Burlington, IA: 4305 W Mt Pleasant St, West Burlington, IA 52655
  • Bloomington, IN: 11 Uptown Circle, Bloomington, IN 61761
  • Champaign, IN: Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr, 45 E University Ave, Champaign, IN 61820
  • Indianapolis, IN: Indianapolis Bus Station, 350 S Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46225

 

QUOTES:
“Reliable, affordable transportation is essential for rural communities, providing critical access to jobs, healthcare, education, and family,” said Karina Frayter, Head of Communications at Flix North America, parent company of Greyhound. “Through this new service, we are strengthening vital connections across Iowa, supporting local economies, and linking residents to Greyhound’s nationwide network. With the support of the Iowa Department of Transportation, communities of all sizes will have greater access to intercity transportation and opportunity throughout the Midwest and beyond.”

 

“The Iowa Department of Transportation welcomes Greyhound’s launch of these new routes, which will expand travel options and improve regional connectivity for Iowans,” said Matt Oetker, Transit Programs Administrator at the Iowa Department of Transportation. “Enhanced intercity mobility supports our communities, strengthens our economy, and helps ensure that all travelers have access to reliable transportation choices.”

 

COURTESY VISUALS:

Courtesy Greyhound B-roll and stills can be found here.

 

CONTACT:
Carolyn Lowe, PR Manager, carolyn.lowe@flix.com

 

About Flix North America Inc.

Flix North America Inc., the parent company of FlixBus Inc. and Greyhound Lines, Inc., is a leading provider of long-distance bus transportation in North America. We’re a subsidiary of Germany-based Flix SE, a global travel technology company operating bus and train services in more than 40 countries across four continents. Greyhound and FlixBus, together with their trusted partners, offer the most extensive coast-to-coast network of intercity bus routes, providing travelers with affordable and sustainable transportation options to over 1,800 destinations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. More than 12 million passengers ride with us each year. Our mission is to keep communities connected and help drive affordable and sustainable travel for everyone. For more information, please visit our website and press room.