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Millie Youngquist wins race for mayor

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Millie Youngquist wins race for mayor


Washington Mayor Pro Tem Millie Youngquist opens an informational meeting on proposed railroad quiet zones and crossing closures in early 2023, just a few weeks after being thrust into the spotlight as the city’s acting chief executive. Her victory in a special election Tuesday night means she’ll keep that role through the end of 2025. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

WASHINGTON — Mayor Pro Tem Millie Youngquist can officially shorten her title, coming out of a special election Tuesday with 432 ballots in her favor. At 44.7%, she won the plurality of votes cast to choose Washington’s next mayor in a four-way race.

Reached for comments after unofficial election results were announced, Youngquist said she was, “Pleasantly surprised.“

“I’m pleased and flattered that the citizens of Washington have put their vote of confidence in me,“ she said. ”I’ve done a lot of hard working meeting people and knocking on doors and shaking hands, and talking to people, and hopefully that helped get some of the vote out.“

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The longtime council member and Washington’s acting mayor for the last 14 months campaigned on a simple message: she’s practical. She’s patient. And she already knows how to do the job.

Those talking points proved more persuasive than those from skeptics, some of whom argue she’s not as assertive a leader as recently resigned Mayor Jaron Rosien, or blaming her for recent sewer and water rate hikes.

Runners-up in the race were council members Elaine Moore (171 votes,) and Ivan Rangel, (240 votes,) as well as challenger candidate Rob Meyer (130 votes.)

Special elections — which happen outside of regularly scheduled primaries and general elections, involving high-profile state or federal offices — are not known for generating much voter interest. With that in mind, a considerable number came to the polls April 30, totaling 978 ballots.

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The number dwarfs the last citywide special election in 2017, which saw just 507 voters turn out for a public measure on hotel/motel taxes.

Washington Resident Ethel Moothart considers her ballot before filling it out, in Washington’s April 30, 2024 special election for mayor. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

But it falls short of other off-season citywide elections in recent memory, like a contentious bond referendum in 2016, which brought 1,712 voters to the polls before it ultimately failed. And Washington’s last contested mayoral election, a two-way race between Jaron Rosien and Pete Schaefer in 2017, brought 1,308 ballots, considerably more than Tuesday night’s totals.

Even for a special election, the latest race happened on unusually short notice, and for the first time used a polling place at Dallmeyer Hall on the Washington County fairgrounds, rather than a retirement home closer to most residents’ doorsteps. Both factors may have suppressed turnout for demographics that rely on the convenience of a longer mail-in absentee window, or access to a ballot box within walking distance.

After winning what was effectively a re-election bid, Youngquist is poised to remain in the mayor’s chair once unofficial results are finalized by County Supervisors next week. That gives her a green light to direct council members toward her priorities, a list that includes infrastructure maintenance, communication with the public and enforcement of the city’s nuisance and property maintenance codes.

The mayor-elect previously said she thought of the race as a referendum on her own leadership over the last several months. Tuesday’s vote appeared to confirm Youngquist still has the public’s blessing to stay at the helm, at least from the plurality of Washington’s voters.

“For me, knowing that I’ve been duly elected by the citizens of Washington, would be like a vote of confidence,“ Youngquist said in an earlier interview with SEIU. ”I could move forward with my ideas. I always want to remain open for citizens, for them to come to me.“

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On Tuesday night, the Mayor-Elect said she was excited to continue her role, and thanked opposing candidates for running.

“I look forward to working with Ivan and Elaine on city council, they have not lost their position on council and their voice, and they are passionate about Washington,” she said. “And I also thank Rob for putting himself out there as a candidate, and wish him the best.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com





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Iowa makes a splash with an All-SEC guard out of the transfer portal

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Iowa makes a splash with an All-SEC guard out of the transfer portal


IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa women’s basketball was facing just six returning players for the upcoming season, but on Saturday they landed a big transfer.

Georgia’s Dani Carnegie is heading to Iowa City, she announced on social media. Carnegie was a First Team All-SEC guard with the Georgia Bulldogs.

She averaged 17.8 points per game at UGA. She was also a teammate with Chit-Chat Wright at Georgia Tech in their freshman seasons.

She’ll have two years of eligibility remaining with Iowa.

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Killyan Toure Makes Decision on Iowa State Basketball Future

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Killyan Toure Makes Decision on Iowa State Basketball Future


The Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball team is going to look a lot different during the 2026-27 season than it did at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Gone are the five seniors who were on the roster: Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, Nate Heise, Dominick Nelson and Eric Mulder. Cade Kelderman, a junior guard, entered his name into the transfer portal along with Mason Williams.

Milan Momcilovic currently has his name in the 2026 NBA Draft, putting his future up in the air for a few more weeks. However, head coach T.J. Otzelberger can rest a little easier knowing some of his core rotation is coming back. Included in that group now is Killyan Toure.

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As shared by François Nyam via Jonathan Givony of Draft Express on X, the talented guard will be returning to Ames for his sophomore season.

Will Killyan Toure return to Iowa State for sophomore season?

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Mar 27, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Killyan Toure (27) shoots in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Midwest Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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Toure was a surprise member of the starting five for the duration of his freshman season with the Cyclones. Many people predicted that spot would go to Jamarion Batemon, the highest-rated recruit the program landed in the Class of 2025, but it was Toure who earned the trust of the coaching staff.

It was easy to see why this was the case early on. He was a ready-made high-level defender right out of the gate. His tenacious effort on that end of the court enabled Iowa State to deploy Lipsey in a more rovering role at times, playing the passing lanes and creating turnovers.

The senior was very impressed with what Toure brought to the court, giving him a ton of praise for his efforts on the defensive end.

A high-floor player because of his ability on defense, the Frenchman could truly breakout as a sophomore if he can find a rhythm offensively. His confidence seemed to wane during the season, as he hit the proverbial freshman wall.

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Toure shot only 38.7% from the field overall during Big 12 play and 23.8% from 3-point range, leading to his minutes being scaled back slightly as Otzelberger sought more offense for the lineup.

However, that confidence on offense did start to come back during the Big 12 tournament and in the NCAA tournament.

Over the final four games of his freshman campaign, Toure averaged 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 30.5 minutes per game. He shot an impressive 55% from the field and 50% from 3-point range, knocking down 5-of-10 attempts.

Securing his return is a big win for Iowa State basketball. He has an incredibly high ceiling and is built to take the torch from Lipsey as the tone setter on the court.

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Iowa State basketball lands Northern Iowa transfer Leon Bond III

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Iowa State basketball lands Northern Iowa transfer Leon Bond III


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The name’s Bond — Leon Bond III — and he’s Iowa State men’s basketball’s first transfer portal commit of the 2026 cycle.

Bond was one of several reported to be visiting Ames this weekend, and he announced his commitment on Friday, April 10. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

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Bond, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, spent the last two seasons at Northern Iowa, after originally starting his collegiate career at Virginia.

Bond is coming off of a career-best year with the Panthers. He averaged 11.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists, while shooting 47.3% overall, 36.2% from 3-point range and 75% from the free-throw line. He earned All-Defensive Team honors in the Missouri Valley Conference and was one of the key players in helping Northern Iowa win the conference tournament and make its first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade.

Across his two seasons in Cedar Falls with the Panthers, he appeared in 59 games with 57 starts and averaged 11 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Before that, he played one season for former coach Tony Bennett at Virginia in 2023-24, where he played 24 games off the bench, averaging 4.1 points over 12.3 minutes per game.

Offensively, he’s a solid athlete capable of getting to the basket and making plays above the rim, while showing an improved perimeter jumper that he’s worked on over the years. Defensively, he provides versatility and an ability to guard multiple positions. His length, athleticism and motor bode well for him as he transitions into Iowa State’s system.

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As the first transfer commit for Iowa State, Bond is helping replenish the Cyclones’ roster after the graduations of Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, Nate Heise, Dominick Nelson and Eric Mulder.

They also saw Mason Williams and Cade Kelderman enter the portal since it first opened on April 7. College basketball players will have until April 21 to decide if they are staying with their current schools or entering the transfer portal.

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.





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