MESERVEY, Iowa (AP) — Residents of a small north-central Iowa town spent most of yesterday without power or water after a fire damaged utility wires and destroyed two buildings. The town water tower was drained as firefighters battled the fire early Sunday morning. Then officials in Meservey could not refill the town’s water tower because there was no electricity. Power and water service was restored by yesterday evening.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — The frenzied pace of farmland sales has slowed at the start of the year amid uncertainty about the drought. Fred Greder, who owns Benchmark Agribusiness, says that between Labor Day and the end of 2012, about 100 farmland auctions were held in north Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Young people in Iowa who entered the country illegally, but have been granted temporary residency through a presidential order are getting work permits and driver’s licenses. However questions remain about their access to in-state tuition at public universities and community colleges. Some Democrats in the state Senate have introduced legislation that would ensure in-state tuition at community colleges and state universities for students who are accepted, meet residency requirements and commit to trying to pursue legal citizenship.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Austin Hollins hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 11.6 seconds left, lifting Number 23 Minnesota to a 62-59 victory over Iowa yesterday afternoon. Mike Gesell finished with 11 points, and Aaron White and Zach McCabe each had 10 for the Hawkeyes in Minneapolis.