The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

Today at 7:30 AM  President Barack Obama vigorously defended the surveillance programs in a lengthy interview Monday, calling them transparent — even though they are authorized in secret.

Yesterday at 11:36 AM  Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht says Monday the governor will sign the bill Thursday in Mason City.

Friday, June 14, 2013  The White House announced it had conclusive evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime used chemical weapons against opposition forces.

Thursday, April 18, 2013  Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's quest to expand Medicaid to more lower-income adults is getting both support and opposition.

Thursday, April 18, 2013  Image from Boston surveillance store footage leads to hunt for potential bombing suspect

Tuesday, April 16, 2013  Obama vows to 'find who did this' as Boston Marathon bombings kill 3, injure more than 140

Tuesday, April 09, 2013  President Obama's gun control proposals have run into resistance on Capitol Hill, leaving their fate in doubt.

Monday, April 08, 2013  In a country where at least a third of households have firearms, it's hard to impose stricter arms rules without support from gun owners.

Monday, April 08, 2013  Military health care costs have nearly tripled since 2001

Friday, April 05, 2013  Official: Obama's budget proposes cuts to Social Security in attempt to compromise with GOP

Thursday, April 04, 2013  US is halfway toward Obama's 5-year goal of doubling exports but likely to fall a bit short

Monday, March 25, 2013  McCaskill's announcement comes the same week that the U.S. Supreme Court is to hear a challenge to California's gay-marriage ban.

Friday, March 15, 2013  Obama pushes for federal research into clean energy technology that can wean vehicles off oil

Thursday, March 07, 2013  Supporters say the measure would protect gun rights for Missourians.

Friday, March 01, 2013  Friday, the federal government made a series of forced funding cuts under what's called sequestration.