UNDATED (KMHL) – The Minnesota Department of Health announced that an outbreak of Cyclospora infections has been linked to ALDI and Hy-Vee store brand “garden salads” containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage and carrots. The Minnesota Department of Health says the intestinal illness has sickened 13 people in Minnesota. Of those 13, none of the cases required hospitalization, but 11 of the 13 are from greater Minnesota. Health officials say the illness onset dates range from June 1 through June 9. Health officials Cyclospora is not spread person-to-person, and regular washing of produce with typical sanitizing methods is unlikely to kill Cyclospora. [...]

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - The 2020 special session at the State Capitol adjourned early Saturday--without agreement on policing bills, a bonding bill or COVID-19 aid. Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent this morning on the Senate floor said lawmakers should get some rest over the weekend. "And then come back on Monday and take care of this very important business that needs to be done on behalf of the people of Minnesota," said Kent. "It is our job, it is a job that we all signed up for, and we are not done and we owe that to the people of Minnesota." [...]

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - The Minnesota Department of Education says they will NOT make a decision until late July on what K-12 schooling will look like this fall. For now, Deputy Education Commissioner Heather Mueller says they are asking districts to plan for three potential scenarios: a full return in person, distance learning only, and a hybrid plan that includes social distancing and capacity limits. "Ask schools to take the time to create their contingency plan, no matter what the virus brings in the months ahead, our students will come back to better this school year," said Mueller. Senate Republican Leader [...]

Photo: DeAnne Holland, Avera Marshall MARSHALL (KMHL) – Local health officials are urging people to come and get tested for COVID-19 during community wide testing that is being at the Avera Marshall Carlson street location. According to early numbers from samples taken, of the first 212 that were tested, officials said 14 were positive. Minnesota Department of Health co-lead of COVID-19 community testing Joni Scheftel says that shows the virus is actively spreading in the community. "This is exactly why we organized this community testing event," said Avera Marshall Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steven Meister. "We strongly urge the [...]

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - Undergraduate tuition at the 30 colleges and 7 universities in the Minnesota State system will be frozen this fall, as the system as a whole faces a budget crunch. An operating budget approved Wednesday projected a 58-million dollar budget deficit. Chancelor Devinder Malhotra (duh-vin-der mal-hoe-trah) says they remain committed to affordability as students return to campus in the fall. "Our promise is simple and straight forward," said Malhotra. "Everyone of the colleges and universities of Minnesota State will be open in the fall and ready to welcome students." He says the system will be offering a mix [...]

GHENT (KMHL) – A 29-year-old man is in custody after authorities say the individual attempted to break into a storage shed in Ghent yesterday (Wednesday) morning shortly before 7 a.m. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect was confronted and briefly detained by a witness, but the man was able to escape and fled the scene. Authorities say a search for the man in the area led to his apprehension after a brief foot chase around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Sheriff’s officials say they believe the man was acting alone and no other individuals are being sought in the matter. No [...]

Photo: DeAnne Holland, Avera Marshall MARSHALL (KMHL) – More than 260 people were tested as of 5:30 p.m. yesterday for COVID-19 in Marshall. Avera Marshall Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steven Meister updated reporters during a conference call yesterday as the first day of community COVID-19 testing was winding down at the Avera Marshall Carlson Street location. Meister says the number was a little less than what he expected turnout to look like on the first day. "Anybody should be tested, who thinks they may have been exposed to the virus," said Meister Wednesday evening. "People who work at a [...]