Bill Shea
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Articles by Bill Shea
Softball fans face detours
Fort Dodge is preparing to welcome up to 30,000 people next week for the Iowa Girls High Athletic Union's state softball tournament. All of the fans and teams will be converging on the community at a time when there is a lot of road work underway. Construction at an intersection just south of Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex will force people who would typically head to the sports complex on 170th Street to take detours.
New troopers hit the road
Three new troopers are on the roads in and around Webster County, carrying on the Iowa State Patrol's tradition of professionalism and service. Trooper Matt Winter and Trooper Payton Harris joined the patrol's Webster County based District 7 in December. Trooper Dylan Hill arrived in May. After completing the academy and 70 days of riding with an experienced trooper, Harris and Winter are now on patrol by themselves. Hill is nearing the conclusion of his field training.
Buffer Pilot Project just got better
There are times when a good idea can be made even better. That is the case with the expansion of the state's Streamside Buffer Pilot Project. It uses a comparatively small amount of money to help farmers plant vegetation along the sides of waterways, with the ultimate goal of cleaning up water downstream. And there is plenty of evidence showing that the all-natural processes of plants can make the nearby water cleaner.
Be sure to attend your county fair
Times change. Even so, there are a few constants in life. One is the pleasure provided by the county fairs that continue to be a highlight of summer in Iowa. For as far back as anyone who now lives in this part of Iowa can remember, these summer festivals have been much-anticipated and much-enjoyed features of summertime. The fairs, of course, have changed over the decades.
Feenstra salutes House passage of Farm Bill
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra saluted the passage of a new Farm Bill by the full House of Representatives on Thursday. “Today marks a major milestone not just for Iowa agriculture, but for agriculture across the country,” the Republican from Hull said in a written statement.
Feenstra says Farm Bill includes much of his work
He salutes House passage of measure May 1, 2026 By BILL SHEA U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra saluted the passage of a new Farm Bill by the full House of Representatives on Thursday. “Today marks a major milestone not just for Iowa agriculture, but for agriculture across the country,” the Republican from Hull said in a written statement.
Lawmakers talk taxes, education at forum
newslink Today's Paper | Subscribe Today Mar 28, 2026 By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net Local legislators still wrestling with potential property tax and eminent domain changes were asked during a Saturday forum to explain their position on funding for education. State Rep. Wendy Larson, R-Odebolt, said during Saturday’s Eggs and Issues forum that statewide the number of students has decreased while the number of school district administrators has gone up.
FD man arrested in Ames double homicide
Mar 14, 2026 By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net A man wanted in connection with a January shooting in Fort Dodge has been charged with stabbing a woman and child to death Friday night in Ames, according to Ames police. Davontrez R. McCuddin, 22, of Fort Dodge, has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, police in Ames reported. At 8:42 p.m. Friday police and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to 3917 Tripp St. in Ames for a reported stabbing.
Hayek seeks reelection to Board of Supervisors
Mar 13, 2026 By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net Webster County Supervisor Austin Hayek is seeking a second term in office. Hayek, who is the chairman of the Board of Supervisors, has declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination in District 1. “I am seeking reelection to further build upon the progress achieved in Webster County,” he said in a written statement.
Property taxes, education discussed at forum
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net Iowa lawmakers have been talking about doing something with property taxes since the legislative session began in early January. Now the state Senate is getting ready to advance a proposal. State Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R- Fort Dodge, said during an Eggs and Issues forum Saturday that he expects the Senate to vote on its property tax bill within the next two weeks. But that bill won’t be the final word on property taxes this year, he said.
Webster County farmers receive state honor
A Webster County couple that has raised pigs, corn and soybeans for 40 years has received a top state award for Iowa livestock farmers who demonstrate outstanding animal care, environmental stewardship and a strong commitment to their community. Gregg and Liddy Hora were presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award recently at the Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines. “We’re pretty humbled,” Gregg Hora said.
Arrest made in Fort Dodge homicide
By BILL SHEA FORT DODGE — A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting death in Fort Dodge early Tuesday morning, police reported. Fort Dodge police reported that Rolman Humberto Recinos Gonzales, 38, of 524 N. 28th Street, Fort Dodge, was arrested and charged with first degree murder; trafficking in stolen weapons, first offense; and person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons. He is being held in the Webster County Jail.
Ernst, Feenstra target foreign purchases of US farmland
The federal government would begin keeping a closer watch on purchases of American farmland by foreign entities under a measure introduced by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra. The measure targets purchases that exceed $5 million or 320 acres.
133rd Test Squadron concludes its service to the country
Mar 2, 2025 By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net The blue flag that for decades was the symbol of the 133rd Test Squadron was slowly and solemnly rolled up Sunday afternoon as the unit formally ended its service to the country.
FD council to consider river work, utility deposit fees
Share A Des Moines River project and an agreement that may help secure a federal grant for a new recreation center are on the agenda for tonight’s Fort Dodge City Council meeting. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S., with a Beacon of Hope shelter update. The Beacon of Hope is a homeless shelter for men at 1021 First Ave. N. The council’s regular business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
Climbing for air
bshea@messengernews.net OTHO — Imagine going to the top of a skyscraper using only the stairs. Now imagine doing that while wearing 50 pounds of extra stuff, including a big tank on your back. A team of volunteer firefighters from Otho is preparing to do just that to help raise money for the American Lung Association. The grueling event is called the Fight for Air Climb. The team will raise about $500 going up all those steps.
Manning the big guns
When American troops in South Vietnam needed some heavy firepower to help them out, they relied on soldiers like Kenneth Sjogren. Sjogren and his fellow artillery men would rain down high explosives on the enemy any time they got a call for help. The Otho man spent a year in South Vietnam ramming shells and bags of gun powder into big cannons. “We never saw the target,” he said.
Detroit Lions playoff run means higher prices next year beyond tickets
DETROIT — The Detroit Lions are making what is, for this forlorn franchise, a historic playoff run by winning their first playoff game since January 1992 and will host another this Sunday at Ford Field in their grueling quest to finally reach the Super Bowl. But like many things in life, there is a cost. And in sports, fans bear much of the financial brunt. The Lions already signaled last month their new success means season ticket prices will rise significantly for the 2024-25 season.
Detroit Lions playoff run means higher prices next year beyond tickets
Season ticket prices aren’t the only costs likely to rise next season following the Detroit Lions’ playoff success A generation of mostly bad teams has meant the Lions had to charge less than other NFL teams to attract fans The ascent of this year’s team will impact prices on concessions and merchandise; call it a happiness tax The Detroit Lions are making what is, for this forlorn franchise, a historic playoff run by winning their first playoff game since January 1992 and will host another...
FD council considers franchise fee, more police officers
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net Adding eight members to the 40-member Fort Dodge Police Department offers the best option for deterring crime in the community, Police Chief Dennis Quinn told the City Council Monday. “I can see a lot of huge gains by adding these officers,” he said.
‘I wore that with pride’
Larry Wuebker spent his 20th birthday on a 23-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean from California to South Vietnam. When he arrived at Bien Hoa Air Base, he got off the plane and had to run to the safety of some bunkers because mortar rounds were landing on the base and exploding. It was a scary introduction to what would become 15 months in South Vietnam during 1968 and 1969. The Fort Dodge man spent that time working on a base with South Vietnamese troops.
Trump promises action on border
Nov 18, 2023 By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net With some 2,000 people cheering just about every sentence he spoke, former President Donald Trump declared in Fort Dodge Saturday that he would seal the southern border, drill for domestic oil and prevent World War III. “Every sane person without what they call Trump derangement syndrome – a great honor to have a disease named after me – wants to get back to how great we had it under the Trump administration,” he said.
Landus buys former Sparboe site
BADGER — A former egg farm north of Fort Dodge has been bought by Landus, which announced plans to build a grain and agronomy facility there. The purchase of the former Sparboe Companies site on U.S. Highway 169 five miles north of Fort Dodge was announced in early August. “The decision to invest here was driven entirely by feedback from the farmers in that region who have been demanding more,” Matt Carstens, president and chief executive officer of Landus, said in a written statement.
Leadership, Unity Diversity summit set in FD
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net Respecting diversity while coming together in unity to create a better community will be at the heart of an upcoming conference in Fort Dodge. The third annual Leadership, Unity & Diversity Summit will be held in-person Aug. 14-17, with an online only session on Aug. 21. The theme of the event is Continuing Our Commitment. Organizers say it will feature conversations and training focused on culture, diversity, leadership and building relationships.
Bill Shea: Per ESPN: Denver's 109-94 win over Miami in...
Per ESPN: Denver's 109-94 win over Miami in Wednesday's night's NBA Finals Game 3 averaged 11.23 million viewers and peaked with 12.3 million viewers at...
Bill Shea: Oklahoma's 5-0 win over Florida State in Game 1...
Oklahoma's 5-0 win over Florida State in Game 1 of the women's college softball World Series on Wednesday averaged 1.3 million primetime viewers on ESPN with...
Not much now, maybe a lot later
While the politics, ethics and morality of the PGA Tour's surprise decision this week to merge its business operations with the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour under a to-be-named new for-profit entity are being debated, many golf fans have a simple but big question. What does this mean for watching men's professional golf on U.S. television?
Bills' Allen is 'Madden 24' cover athlete
Bills quarterback Josh Allen will be on the cover of "Madden 24," he announced via social media Wednesday. Here's what you need to know: Allen becomes the first Bills player to be displayed on the "Madden NFL" cover. He will be the eighth quarterback featured on the video game's cover since 2001, the year the game began regularly placing players on the cover. "Madden 24" will be released on Aug. 18 with the return of Superstar Mode and mini-games.
Those NBA Finals and Stanley Cup ratings fears? Overblown, so far: Sports on TV
Any handwringing and pearl-clutching over the NBA Finals' TV ratings without traditional big-market teams involved has proven overblown so far. Denver's 104-93 Game 1 victory on June 1 averaged 11.58 million viewers on ABC while Miami 's 111-108 upset on Sunday night averaged 11.91 million. Both games won all the coveted advertising demographics, as expected. Sunday's broadcast peaked at 15.25 million viewers, ESPN said (the network handles sports and PR for ABC, since both are owned by Disney).
Heat-Celtics scores for TNT, a Stanley Cup question, F1 sets a record: Sports on TV
In the exciting world of live sports television viewership analysis, it's a truism that a clinching Game 7 broadcast will generate the best audience numbers. That again proved true with the Jimmy Butler-led Miami Heat's 103-84 victory at Boston on Monday night, which averaged a series-best 11.9 million viewers for TNT.
How the Heat and Nuggets compare
Denver is the urban nexus of the High Plains and the foothills gateway to the snowy majesty of the Rocky Mountains. Miami is South Florida's tropical epicenter of sunshine, palm trees and louche glamor. Welcome to the 2023 NBA Finals, a study in contrasts on and off the basketball court that make for a mystery when it comes to how many people will tune in.
Will NBA Finals ratings take a nosedive without Lakers-Celtics? Not necessarily
The NBA deployed its new multimedia NBA Finals marketing campaign earlier this month and it features two of the league's modern-era foundational players - Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, the faces of the classic Los Angeles Lakers- Boston Celtics rivalry. In a star-driven league, there's business value in nostalgia marketing.
PGA Championship final round gets worst rating in 15 years: Sports on TV
Brooks Koepka took home the PGA Championship's Wanamaker Trophy and the fat paycheck on Sunday, but he wasn't the primary feel-good story. That belonged to little-known club pro Michael Block during the major's final round when he used a seven iron to ace the par-3, 151-yard 15th hole at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. Block, 46, is the top pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, Calif., and the only one of 20 such club pros in the tournament to make the cut.
What to know about ESPN's streaming plans
For a number of years now, ESPN has been approaching its future on what company executives have tabbed as a parallel path. The mega-sports colossus exists in both the traditional cable ecosystem (which for years was profitable beyond the company's dreams) as well as investing in direct-to-consumer ESPN+.
How pro bull riding rose from paying to be on TV to becoming a CBS mainstay
The dizzying array of U.S. television channels and streaming services offer a diverse range of alternative sports and competitions, from bowling to darts to cornhole. One that has evolved over the past 30 years from a sport that had to pay for airtime on network TV to now landing healthy media rights payments and audiences of a million or more viewers is Professional Bull Riders.
How pro bull riding rose from paying to be on TV to becoming a CBS mainstay
The dizzying array of U.S. television channels and streaming services offer a diverse range of alternative sports and competitions, from bowling to darts to cornhole. One that has evolved over the past 30 years from a sport that had to pay for airtime on network TV to now landing healthy media rights payments and audiences of a million or more viewers is Professional Bull Riders.
XFL title game TV viewership sluggish, but ESPN says season met expectations
It took three tries over 22 years, but the XFL completed its second full season. And it'll officially be back for another in 2024. The developmental spring pro football league, which originated with WWE boss Vince McMahon disastrously in 2001 and then as a less-flamboyant but incomplete 2020 reboot, wrapped up its 2023 season with a championship game that aired Saturday on ABC.
Warriors' exit might cool NBA's ratings; NHL's Sun Belt semifinals: Sports on TV
The NBA and its television partners are certainly enjoying a ratings renaissance so far during the playoffs - but will it continue without the golden children from Golden State? While the NBA and its TV partners would have loved a Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors Game 7 after the series delivered excellent audience numbers, the series ended with 8.64 million viewing L.A.'s 122-101 win on Friday at Crypto.com Arena in Game 6.
LeBron James put Homage on the map. Seven years later, the apparel company is still rising
After overcoming improbable odds - his team had been down 3-1 in the 2016 NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors - LeBron James and his teammates triumphantly stepped off a plane hours after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the franchise's first championship and the city's first in any major league sport since 1964.
Kentucky Derby, F1 Miami Grand Prix ratings slide; USFL gets boost: Sports on TV Original
Britain crowned a new king on Saturday while America crowned a new fastest horse, with attendees at both events sporting fancy hats and elaborate red-carpet outfits to mark the occasion.
A new NBA Finals campaign starts Tuesday, at a critical time for the league and its CMO
As the NBA scans the chaotic TV and streaming landscape, amid rapidly shifting technologies and consumer viewing habits, it's relying on a veteran direct-to-consumer marketing executive to help keep fans engaged and to help find new ones. The league announced in late October that it had hired Tammy Henault as its chief marketing officer. She previously worked at Paramount Global, overseeing the consumer marketing effort for the Paramount+ subscription streaming service rollout.
Kentucky Derby poised for big audience; NBA nets first-round win: Sports on TV
They say the Kentucky Derby is the most exciting two minutes in sports, and NBC plans nearly eight hours of coverage around that 120 seconds of charging thoroughbreds on Saturday. NBC kicks it off at noon from Louisville's iconic twin-spired Churchill Downs, where the famed derby has been run since jockey Oliver Lewis rode Aristides to victory on May 17, 1875.
Super Bowl LVII most-watched Super Bowl of all time
There's a new leader for the most-watched Super Bowl of all time - at least according to Fox Sports. On Tuesday, the network said Super Bowl LVII that aired on Feb. 12, drew an average audience of 115.1 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes and digital streaming, according to updated numbers from Nielsen Media Research.
I attended a USFL game so you don't have to (but maybe you should?)
At 4:13 p.m. ET on Sunday, Cole Murphy nailed a 45-yard field goal to give the USFL's Michigan Panthers a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter against the visiting New Jersey Generals at downtown Detroit's Ford Field. Those were the first points scored by the team in the state of Michigan since its namesake beat the Oklahoma Outlaws 34-24 at the since-demolished Pontiac Silverdome on June 18, 1984 - a span of 39 years between Panthers home games. These are not the same Panthers, of course.
Inside the high-priced world of vintage baseball photography collecting
When Henry Yee arrived as a young boy in early 1970s New York City, he did what so many kids in the Big Apple do: He became a Yankees fan. But his interests extended beyond the Bronx Bombers. Yee became enamored with old photos of New York, images of skyscrapers rising into a skyline built over a century, and life in America's largest city as it evolved across the decades. He also loved vintage photos of iconic Yankees ballplayers - particularly Babe Ruth.
Here's why NFL Draft coverage will (again) dominate prime-time TV
Do you feel a draft in here? OK, OK, dumb dad jokes aside, the NFL 's annual televised three-day draft extravaganza kicks off Thursday night on three networks - the Disney siblings ESPN and ABC, and the league-owned NFL Network. If you're interested in this year's complicated matrix of on-air talent assignments, my colleague Richard Deitsch has a comprehensive guide to all of that and more here.
NBA playoffs win the weekend, and the XFL-USFL showdown begins: Sports on TV
It was the clash no one was exactly waiting for, except perhaps a handful of network executives, wealthy famous people, some weirdo media reporters (me), and a diehard cadre of football fans. The third iteration of the XFL and the second year of the second version of the USFL competed for TV audiences this past weekend for the first time, and the winner was ... the NBA. Allow me to explain.
Bill Shea: The LPGA has hired Legends, the sports and...
The LPGA has hired Legends, the sports and hospitality concessionaire services firm co-owned by Jerry Jones and the corporate parent of the Yankees, to...
Play-In Tournament Averages 2.64M Viewers Across ESPN, TNT
The Play-In Tournament averaged 2.64 million viewers across ESPN and TNT, the NBA announced on Monday. The viewership represents a 5% increase from last year. The league also reported 441 million social media views across all platforms, up 63% from last year. Friday night's game between the Timberwolves and Thunder averaged 2.5 million viewers on ESPN. The earlier game between the Heat and Bulls averaged 2.2 million viewers on TNT.
Why the hapless Washington Commanders are selling for a record $6 billion
The last time the Washington NFL franchise won a Super Bowl was January 1992 and Josh Harris was just a couple years out of Harvard Business School. Now, Harris and co-investors are buying the Commanders for a reported $6.05 billion, the most money ever paid for an American sports team. Since beating the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI on Jan. 26, 1992, Washington hasn't, to be polite, spent much time among the NFL 's elite, well-regarded teams.
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