From the plethora of impacts of the global pandemic to major business moves, the tri-state area again had a wealth of major news stories in 2020. Telegraph Herald editorial staff voted to determine the biggest news stories of the year, and while there was no doubt about the top pick, the remainder proved tough given all that has transpired in the past 12 months. Here is our list of 10 stories that had the biggest local impacts in 2020. 1.) The COVID-19 pandemic hits the tri-state area This year, there was no doubt regarding the biggest local story. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted seemingly every aspect of local lives, starting even before the first case in Dubuque County was announced on March 19. From business to education, from recreation to politics and, of course, in the field of health care, the coronavirus disrupted, impacted and reshaped the normal course of things.