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ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - As Wednesday's 47th anniversary of Roe -v- Wade nears, Republicans say 7th District Democratic Congressman Collin Peterson has lost two key pro-life endorsements -- Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life and National Right to Life Committee -- which are instead going to Republican challenger Michelle Fischbach. Hamline University analyst David Schultz says it won't make much difference in the race. "Given the fact that Michelle Fischbach's husband has been the head of the MCCL in Minnesota and she's been very much associated with them for years, I don't think too many voters are going to be surprised she's [...]

UNDATED (LEARFIELD/KMHL) - The issue of refugee resettlement is in limbo after a federal judge last week put President Trump's order on hold -- and over 60 Minnesota counties have not made a decision whether they'll accept refugees. Matt Hilgart with the Association of Minnesota Counties says it's a completely new topic for county officials: "If your county was planning on talking about this or having public conversations or having the department of human services out to present and talk about refugee resettlement, or even if your county was planning providing consent, you may still want to consider doing that," said [...]

RENVILLE (KMHL) – Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash that occurred along U.S. Highway 212 east of Renville Saturday afternoon. The Minnesota State Patrol says a 2008 Chevy pickup, collided with a 2004 Ford pickup around 12:15 Saturday afternoon. Authorities says Karijo Stene, 34, of Appleton was a passenger in the Chevy pickup received non-life threatening injuries in the crash. Authorities say 32-year-old Dillon Renneke, of Echo was driving the Ford truck, and Darin Myhre, of Renville, was a passenger in that truck – both received non-life threatening injuries. The patrol says roads were snow and ice covered [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) – It looks like a major winter storm will take aim at southwest Minnesota this weekend. The National Weather Service is predicting the area will see a strong winter storm from early Friday morning through Saturday. Forecasters say light snow is expected to begin across the region Friday morning, with moderate and heavy snow likely by mid-day. While snowfall totals are a bit uncertain, forecasters say there is a moderate to high likelihood of more than 4 inches of snow across much of southwest Minnesota.

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - So far, just under 11-percent of Minnesota driver's license and identification cardholders have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card. That means there are still about 3.7 million Minnesota license holders who will need to decide if they need a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification this year. "It could certainly be a challenge to process all of the applications that will come in, and that's why we're suggesting people apply sooner rather than later," said Department of Public Safety's Bruce Gordon. Starting October 1st, Minnesotans will not be able to use their standard [...]

MORTON (KMHL) – A fire on Sunday afternoon at a home in Morton has displaced the seven people who lived in the home, but no one was injured. The Renville County Sheriff’s Office says the home in the 300 block of Walnut Drive, received significant damage. Sheriff's officials the call came in shortly before 4:30 yesterday afternoon. Authorities say when crews arrived, they found the fire in the basement ceiling. All seven residents living in the home were able to escape. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced occupants of the residence.

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - Just hours after a morning hearing (Thurs), the Minnesota Supreme Court has rejected a voter challenge, meaning the state Republican Party is allowed to list only Donald Trump's name on G-O-P primary ballots in March. "To allow the parties to control the candidates limits the expression that voters are allowed," said plaintiffs' attorney Erick Kaardal. But Assistant Attorney General Nathan Hartshorn told justices a presidential primary is different than any other election in Minnesota. "It is procedurally a part of a political parties determination on a national level of whom that party is going to nominate nationally [...]

UNDATED (LEARFIELD) - 276 million dollars for affordable housing -- Governor Tim Walz's request to the legislature in part one of his state bonding proposal.  Officials say it's double the dollar amount of any previous administration's plan. "The governor and I believe that every man, every woman, every Minnesotan, every child without exception deserves a safe, affordable, dignified place to call home," said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. However, Republicans say that building and zoning codes and development rules must be reformed to bring the costs of home construction down. "I don't think we can buy our way out of this," said [...]

DAWSON (KMHL) – A Dawson woman accused of sexual contact with a child two years ago has pleaded not guilty. Kendra Lindblad, 26, was indicted on two felony charges of sexual contact with a child under age 16 and attempted sexual contact with a child under age 16. Lindblad’s attorney, Ron Frauenschuh, of Ortonville, says his client looks forward to proving her innocence and feels confident Lindblad will be found not guilty. The alleged conduct occurred between Nov. 1 2017 and Feb. 28, 2018 and involved a 12-year-old child while Lindblad was age 24. Thursday afternoon, Lac Qui Parle County attorney, [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says 364 people were killed on Minnesota roads in 2019.  The preliminary numbers on fatalities show a decrease from 2018, but officials say too many people are still dying on the roads. "When you break that down and figure it, it's roughly about one per day," said Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Casey Meagher. "That is one family, that is one friend, that is one neighbor that has tragically lost their lives on Minnesota roadways in Minnesota over the course of the past year." The other troubling problem, according to Meagher, is that [...]