ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD)  --   Governor Tim Walz says the state is providing free COVID-19 saliva tests for Minnesota teachers, school staff, and child care providers. There will be more than 250-thousand total tests at a cost of six-million dollars. Walz said, "those educating and caring for Minnesota’s next generation deserve the peace of mind that these COVID-19 tests will provide.” The state Department of Education sent unique codes for saliva tests to schools to distribute to all staff and the Department of Human Services provides codes to licensed child cares. Officials say the goal is to create safe in-person learning for [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) – Last week's home explosion near Marshall has claimed the life of a second victim. The Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall says Nancy Schipansky, 71, of Marshall, died earlier today (Wednesday) at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Her husband, Gail Schipansky, was declared dead at the scene of the blast Thursday. Nancy was rushed to the hospital from the scene with serious injuries. There has been no official determination as to what led to last Thursday’s explosion at the couple’s home just over a mile east of Marshall.

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - Higher education leaders are facing challenges as the fall school year begins amid COVID-19. Leaders from several higher learning institutions, including private schools, the Minnesota State System and the University of Minnesota, addressed state lawmakers on Tuesday Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra says safety is on everyone's mind right now. "We all know that safety is on the minds of our students, parents, faculty, staff and campus leadership at every community we serve," said Malhotra. "We have continued to stay focused on two guiding principles, the safety of our campus communities and giving students a path to [...]

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD)  --  Republican state lawmakers are accusing Governor Walz of harassing Minnesota businesses by stepping up COVID-19 compliance checks. A group of G-O-P lawmakers sent a letter to Walz that said, "clearly restaurants and bars are not major drivers for COVID transmission, and it's unfair that they are being targeted and treated as such." But state health officials say coronavirus cases linked those establishments are on the rise. The lawmakers claim a letter sent by the state to the hospitality industry about COVID restrictions  threatened business with fines, closure, and investigations instead of" educational."

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - The number of active COVID-19 cases in the state has reached a record high. Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says Minnesotans’ behavior in stores, restaurants, and other public places isn’t so much the problem now, but informal gatherings have really proven to be a weak spot in our response to the pandemic. "People are having house parties, they're holding weddings and funerals without the safeguards they need to be mindful of," said Malcolm. She made it clear the state is heading for serious trouble if too many Minnesotans continue to do the wrong things. Health officials also [...]

MINNEOTA (KMHL) – Plans have been changing, but some students in the Minneota School District are returning to class today. The district already pushed the start of their school year back a week after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, and yesterday district officials announced they would change the way students return this year. Elementary School students in Minneota are beginning the year in a hybrid learning model today, while students in grades 7-12 in the district will begin the year with distance learning beginning on Thursday. Numbers in Lyon County have been on the upswing to the point where [...]

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD)  --  State officials are stepping up COVID-19 compliance checks at Minnesota bars and restaurants starting today (Friday). The Departments of Public Safety, Health, and Labor and Industry sent a letter to the state's hospitality industry explaining the increased enforcement. The letter says in part, "most establishments are following federal and state guidelines, but it makes it difficult for them to compete or to explain to their customers when other establishments are not in compliance.” Investigators will be making sure workers wear masks, following social distance guidelines, and employee health screening procedures. Officials will also be checking for 50-percent [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) –  One person was dead, another seriously injured when a house exploded just east of Marshall early this morning. The Lyon County Sheriff’s office says Gail Schipansky, 74, of Marshall was declared dead at the scene and his wife Nancy Schipansky, 71, of Marshall, was seriously injured when the couple's home exploded about a mile and a half east of Marshall. Authorities say Nancy's condition is unknown at this time. She was rushed to Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center with serious injuries, according to authorities. The explosion occurred shortly after 6:30 this morning; it was felt throughout the community. Sheriff’s officials [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) – An NAHL franchise is temporarily planning to play their games in Marshall for part of the 2020-21 season. Yesterday, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL announced plans to temporarily relocate their team to Marshall. "The community of Marshall is thrilled that the Fairbanks Ice Dogs chose Marshall and the Red Baron Arena & Expo as their temporary home for part of their season," said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes. "They saw the potential that our facilities have to host top of the line events." The plans call for the team to practice at and play two weekend series [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) – Political sign theft and vandalism is nothing new to election season, but local political leaders gathered with law enforcement Monday to discuss the issue and ask supporters on both sides to help curb the problem. Leaders of the local DFL and Republican parties in Minnesota got together yesterday to urge their supporters to quit stealing and vandalizing political signs. Lyon County Sheriff Eric Wallen said often this type of crime goes unreported, so he couldn't say if there was more of it this year as opposed to other years, but given the political climate both parties acknowledged it [...]