Latest News From Andrew McCrea

Osage, Iowa was able to raise enough money, without raising taxes, to build the Cedar River Complex, which features an indoor pool, fitness center, walking track, basketball courts, 600 seat theatre, museum and more.

Andy Griffith actually grew up in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, but many people refer to it as Mayberry. Today, visiting the North Carolina town is like stepping onto the TV set decades ago.

A couple of years ago I was approached with a novel idea. Could we use the show to help share stories about the U.S. with those outside this country and perhaps help them learn English as a second language as well?  

If you address a letter to Santa, chances are the letter arrives in Santa Claus, Alaska. This is the story of a family who somewhat by accident became associated with Christmas.

In 2012, Jerry Lageson flipped the switch and transformed an oak tree into a landmark for thousands of passersby. South of Faribault, Minn., Lageson annually adorns this tree with 50,000 white lights.

Norman Borlaug helped develop wheat varieties in Mexico, and later in Pakistan, India and other locations that helped feed and save the lives of millions of people, and his childhood is quite the story in itself.

Grizzly bear, deer, museum items and a beer bottling line sending bottles down the track near where you visit with the tellers are all part of the offerings at The State Bank of Faribault.

In winter 1819, a natural entrance to a cave was found just south of Hannibal, Mo. One of its visitors in the early 1840s was a young resident who was fascinated by what he saw.

Terry Buckler, a Missouri farm kid, shares the story of his time as a Green Beret and the historic raid on Son Tay prison in Vietnam.

As we celebrate Independence Day, let’s dive into the backstory and symbolism of the Liberty Bell.

We’ve all heard the phrase, "the greatest thing since sliced bread," but where did it begin?  It was an inventor named Otto Rohwedder who knew he could improve on the whole loaf of bread.

Beef producers are always looking for an efficient steer to feed. Perhaps none was better than a calf raised near Kokomo, Ind. 

The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa, represents a story of a priest who recovered from a grave illness and began to construct a magnificent place to glorify God. 

The Faribault Woolen Mill continues to expand their product line and number of retail stores. It is a comeback story with roots in the days just after the Civil War.  

Giving of our time, talents and money is an important part of helping others. 

It’s been a fun journey with many people and places still to go. Thanks for “traveling the countryside” with me.  

Drive down any country road and you'll see it. You may have never thought it would be worthy of a large museum, but then again, you probably never imagined this had such a storied history. 

Cutting costs can sometimes hurt your bottom line. Spending “extra” money can sometimes improve your margins.

Take a ride down an elevator 650’ below the surface of Hutchinson, Kan., and you’ll find endless miles of tunnels leading to active salt mines dating back over a century. 

The old drugstore in Allerton, Iowa, dates to the late 1800s. Ross and Lorena Blount had visited the store many times over the years and got a chance to purchase it in its second century of operation.

Bill Engle remembers attending a sale 22 years ago where some old sleighs were being sold.  That sparked an interest and today, he has a growing collection with nearly 300 sleighs.

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, the five Sullivan brothers of Waterloo pledged to defend the U.S.

You’ve likely heard about the bridges in Iowa’s Madison County, but if you want to be wowed by covered bridges, head to Parke County, Ind.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Garry Ridge hopes the squeaky wheel gets a healthy spray of WD-40. 

The nitrogen that stays put. The innovation farmers have been waiting for.

Last May, Jim Eddleman delivered on a promise that was 50 years in the making.

In the early 1900s, cotton was king around Enterprise, Ala., and much of the southern U.S. But a silent southern invasion was just beginning.

Glenn Miller gave up an impressive music career to join the military and play for U.S. servicemen and women.