ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD)  --  The Minnesota D-N-R says do not believe a social media post saying the state's fishing season is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The false report was made on Minnesota D-N-R letterhead and encouraged anglers to request access to their favorite fishing areas in the state. The D-N-R says all bodies of water will be open for fishing this season. The fishing opener this year for trout is April 18th, walleye, sauger and northern pike on May 9th and muskie on June 6th,

MARSHALL (KMHL) – A person from Lincoln County has tested positive for COVID-19. The announcement was made by Southwest Health and Human Services earlier today. The agency says it is the first confirmed case in the six county area that’s served by the agency. In a press release, Carol Biren, the public health director, says it is likely the virus is circulating in all of our communities. The agency says to slow the spread of the disease and the ability for health care systems to provide the best care - they continue to recommend people Stay home if they're sick Wash [...]

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - The state's "Stay at Home" order goes into effect at midnight. "You can leave your home, pick up groceries, go get food, prescriptions, if your jobs in the critical section, it's essential - you're going to work," said Walz. "If you leave home do social distancing, keep six feet away, don't touch folks." Walz added that people are encouraged to go outside and do activities - "fresh air is a good thing." Walz says the order is meant to help slow down the transmission of COVID-19 and buy some time to get hospitals more prepared.

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - The Minnesota Legislature convenes today to approve emergency funding for the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Thursday). The House session is scheduled to start at noon and the Senate meets at 2 p-m.  Governor Walz has requested more than 300-million dollars. Lawmakers will be following social distancing requirements during the floor sessions.  In the Senate, 14 members plus the president will be seated in the chamber.  Other members will be in the retiring room, the east gallery, Senate President's office and four other rooms. The microphones will be sanitized between each speaker, and doors to the [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) – Schools in Minnesota will begin with their distance learning plans starting on Monday. Final preparations for those plans are underway in the Marshall School District. Superintendent Scott Monson told Marshall Radio Wednesday that teachers and staff have been working very hard to come up with a new plan to help educate students and deserve a lot of gratitude. "Our teachers and staff are working just as hard as I am, they are the ones who on March 30th are going to be in front of kids or calling kids or researching different resources to make available for kids," [...]

ST. PAUL (KMHL) – Gov. Tim Walz issued a stay at home order for Minnesotans through April 10th. The governor issued the order today that will limit movements for Minnesotans outside of the home. During his press conference the Governor said the goal is to push the peak amount of infections from the COVID-19 virus and to build up the health care infrastructure to help keep the amount of deaths down. "We must take bold action to save the lives of Minnesotans," said Gov. Walz. "Having served as a Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard, I know the importance [...]

UNDATED (LEARFIELD) - Small businesses ordered closed in Minnesota because of COVID-19 will soon be able to apply for emergency loans between 25-hundred and 35-thousand dollars, under a program Governor Tim Walz just set up with 30 million dollars in special funds. "I'm not sure any state has moved on this, but I can't wait for the SBA," said Walz. "We're going to make forgivable loans to those small businesses who have been asked to do a lot." The loans will be no-interest and 50-percent forgivable. State officials expect between 12-hundred and five-thousand businesses will receive assistance. Businesses with questions about [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) – City officials said as of yesterday, there are still no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Lyon County. During an update, put together by city officials, Avera Marshall Chief of Staff Dr. Stephen Meister said that measures to slow the spread are working in the region. "I'm very impressed by the ways that our citizens have responded to our pleas asking you to stay at home and socially distance, it's working, we're noticing less people on the streets," said Meister. But he notes that we're not out of the woods yet. "The pandemic is not over, we have [...]

GRANITE FALLS (KMHL) – Fire crews in Granite Falls responded to a fire that damaged a pair of homes in the 1500 block of 9th Avenue in Granite Falls. According to the Granite Falls Police Department, the fire began in the garage of one home and flames had engulfed the west side of that home and the east side of a neighboring home before crews arrived. Occupants in the first home were able to escape, while a few pets were left behind – fire crews were able to extinguish the flames and rescue 3 dogs, 2 cats and a lizard left [...]

MADISON (KMHL) – The Minnesota Department of Health says Lac Qui Parle County has its first confirmed case of COVID-19. In all, according to yesterday’s update from MDH, there are 235 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Minnesota. Kris Ehresmann, infectious disease specialist with the department of health - says though the state probably has 10 times the amount of cases as reports indicate. Ehresmann says many could have no symptoms - or even mild ones - but could be spreading the virus. None of those cases have been confirmed in Lyon, Lincoln, Yellow Medicine, Redwood, Murray, Pipestone, Nobles or Rock County.