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     <!-- Form Type:      8-K                           -->
     <!-- Client Name:    McLeodUSA Inc.                -->
     <!-- Attorney Name:  Alison Rhoten                 -->
     <TITLE>8-K</TITLE>
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UNITED STATES<BR>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>WASHINGTON, DC 20549</b> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><b>CURRENT
REPORT<BR>PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE<BR>SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</b> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date
of report (Date of earliest event reported):&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>December 14, 2004</u><!-- DATE --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="3">MCLEODUSA INCORPORATED<!-- Name of Registrant --></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="MIDDLE">
     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">DELAWARE </FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD WIDTH="40%" ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>0-20763<!-- File No.--></font></td>
<TD WIDTH="20%" ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>&nbsp;</font></td>
<TD WIDTH="40%" ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>42-1407240<!-- Irs No.--></font></td>
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<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>(Commission File Number)</font></td>
<td ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>&nbsp;</font></td>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><Font Face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" Size=2>(IRS Employer Identification No.) </font></td>
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<TD ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;McLeodUSA Technology Park<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6400 C Street SW, P.O. Box 3177<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Cedar Rapids, IA
</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=15%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>52406-3177</FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2> </FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN="left" WIDTH="33%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;(Address of principal executive offices)
</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(Zip Code) </FONT></TD>
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     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">(319) 364-0000 </FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">(Registrant's
Telephone Number, Including Area Code) </FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp;<!-- FORMER NAME OR ADDRESS --></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="MIDDLE">
     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><HR NOSHADE SIZE=1></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
     <TD WIDTH="600" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.) </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General
Instruction A.2. below): </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>

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<TD WIDTH=4%><font face="wingdings"> &#168; </font></TD>
<TD WIDTH=96%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH=96%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH=96%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act <BR>(17 CFR
240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD>
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 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act <BR>(17 CFR
240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD>
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<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><b>ITEM 5.02&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers
</b></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>


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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>In a press release issued December 14, 2004, a copy of which is hereby incorporated by reference and attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1, we announced that Stephen C. Gray resigned as President and Director on the same
date, effective December 31, 2004.  Mr. Gray confirmed that he had no disagreements with our Board of
Directors or management. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>


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<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><b>ITEM 9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Financial Statements and Exhibits</b></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>


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<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD WIDTH=15%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Exhibit No.</U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=85%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Description</U></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH=15%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>99.1 </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=85%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Press
Release of McLeodUSA Incorporated, dated December 14,  2004 </FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><b>SIGNATURES </b></FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
<BR><BR>

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    <TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; <!-- TYPE "DATE:" HERE--> </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="48%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">MCLEODUSA INCORPORATED<BR>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
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    <TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">Dated: </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">December 15, 2004 <!-- DATE--> </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">By: </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="43%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp;/s/&nbsp;  G. Kenneth Burckhardt<!-- NAME --> </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
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    <TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp; </TD>
    <TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD> <HR NOSHADE SIZE="1"> </TD>
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    <TD WIDTH="57%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">Name:&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">G. Kenneth Burckhardt <!-- NAME --></FONT></TD>
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  <TR VALIGN="TOP">
    <TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">Title:&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">Executive Vice President<BR>
and Chief Financial Officer <!-- TITLE --></FONT></TD></TR>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MCLEODUSA INC", "cik": "0000919943", "assigned-sic": "4812", "irs-number": "421407240", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-20763", "film-number": "041203339"}, "business-address": {"street1": "6400 C ST SW", "street2": "PO BOX 3177", "city": "CEDAR RAPIDS", "state": "IA", "zip": "52406", "phone": "3193640000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "6400 C ST SW", "street2": "PO BOX 3177", "city": "CEDAR RAPIDS", "state": "IA", "zip": "52406"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "MCLEOD INC", "date-changed": "19960403"}}
8-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date
of report (Date of earliest event reported):
December 14, 2004
MCLEODUSA INCORPORATED
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
0-20763
42-1407240
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
McLeodUSA Technology Park
6400 C Street SW, P.O. Box 3177
Cedar Rapids, IA
52406-3177
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(319) 364-0000
(Registrant's
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)
Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General
Instruction A.2. below):
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 5.02     
Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers
(b)
In a press release issued December 14, 2004, a copy of which is hereby incorporated by reference and attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1, we announced that Stephen C. Gray resigned as President and Director on the same
date, effective December 31, 2004.  Mr. Gray confirmed that he had no disagreements with our Board of
Directors or management.
ITEM 9.01     
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c)
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press
Release of McLeodUSA Incorporated, dated December 14,  2004
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
MCLEODUSA INCORPORATED
Dated:
December 15, 2004
By:
/s/   G. Kenneth Burckhardt
Name:
G. Kenneth Burckhardt
Title:
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer