Marshall, MN (KMHL) - Even with the increase of COVID cases in Minnesota, St Mary’s School in Tracy is continuing with in-person learning into December. The education committee at St Mary’s met last week and determined that since the start of the school year in September, the attendance with students and staff had not changed due to COVID illnesses. A few students in recent weeks had quarantined from school due to exposure in the family, otherwise St Mary’s has had a 90-95% attendance rate, which has been a main factor in why they are choosing to continue to stay open. St. [...]

Worthington, MN (LEARFIELD)  --  People in southwest Minnesota will now have access to barrier-free COVID-19 testing. Starting today, Thursday, December 3rd, the Minnesota Department of Health will now have a saliva testing site open in Worthington. The Nobles County location will bring the total number of community testing sites to 22 across the state.  These testing sites are open to anyone who and believe they need to be tested for COVID.  Before Worthington’s testing site, Mankato had been the closest barrier-free COVID testing site for residents in the southwest corner of the state.

Marshall (KMHL) - While the governors Executive Order took place on Friday, November 20th mandating restaurants to move to take out only, one family owned restaurant in Lynd Minnesota, Havens Garden, is taking a stance and keeping the doors open. The restaurant’s owner, Larvita McFarquhar, a single mother of four, says the Governor is over stepping his rights and that small businesses have the right to stay open. “Governor Walz’s mandates are illegal and unconstitutional,” McFarquhar states, “We’re struggling as it is to make it, and to keep putting more demands on us that are unconstitutional, and trying to tie our [...]

(Marshall, MN) - Avera is now offering a new treatment for COVID-19 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization (EAU) for bamlanivimab, an investigational monoclonal antibody (mAB) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients.   The EAU was issued to Eli Lilly and Company.   Avera has received its first allocation of bamlanivimab and has administered the therapy to over 150 patients. The therapy, offered only through intravenous (IV) infusion, is primarily being directed to the elderly and those at high risk for future hospitalization of COVID-19. It’s approved for anyone over age 12. [...]

[ST. PAUL, MN] – At a local Saint Paul restaurant today, Governor Tim Walz announced a COVID-19 economic relief package to keep businesses afloat, support workers struggling to get by, and help Minnesota families keep food on the table. Governor Walz will work with legislators on both sides of the aisle to move forward this much-needed proposal, integrate additional proposals, and call a special session when an agreement is final.   “Our small businesses and the Minnesotans whose livelihoods depend on them are bearing a huge weight for the good of their entire community. As cases skyrocket and hospital capacity is [...]

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced the availability of a new COVID-19 exposure notification mobile application, COVIDaware MN, which could slow the spread of COVID-19 by helping Minnesotans protect themselves and their loved ones. The voluntary, anonymous application will alert a user if another user with whom they have had close contact during the virus’ infectious period tests positive for COVID-19.   “As we see a dangerous surge in cases across the state, we need to use every tool possible to cut off the spread of the virus,” said Governor Walz. “COVIDaware MN gives our state a powerful [...]

St. PAUL (KMHL) – Gov. Tim Walz has announced a four-week dial back plan to help Minnesota control the spread of COVID-19. In an announcement he made to Minnesotans Wednesday evening, the governor said he was turning back the dial on in-person dining, youth and high school sports, gyms and other social activities.   Effective at midnight on Friday night, the Governor said new restrictions will halt all in-person dining, gyms, wedding receptions, private parties, you and adult sports, indoor entertainment, public pools/recreation centers and any social gathering with individuals of your household.   Walz said retail businesses, salons and places [...]

St. Paul (Learfield) - Governor Tim Walz will announce the state's next steps in combating COVID-19 during a live address tonight at 6 p.m. this evening.  Walz is expected to pause outdoor youth sports and shut down in-service visits to Minnesota bars, restaurants, breweries, fitness centers, bowling alleys and movie theaters for one month.  Hair salons, barber shops, dental offices and retail stores are not expected to be affected by the new restrictions.  Minnesota is seeing record COVID hospitalizations and big spikes in the number of cases and deaths.  Governor Walz said "we have to beat the virus" if we want [...]

Marshall (KMHL) - The Minnesota Department of Health announced Tuesday that there were more COVID-19 deaths reported in multiple southern Minnesota counties, these include Redwood, Renville, Blue Earth, Brown, and Sibley. The Redwood County victim was the 16th in that county since the start of the pandemic and was in their early 80s. Renville County reported their 15th victim was in their 90s. The death in Blue Earth County was a person 90 to 94-years-old and is the 11th death in the county. Brown and Sibley counties each reported the death of a person 65 to 69-years-old, the sixth and fourth [...]

St. Paul (LEARFIELD) - Expect another significant announcement from Governor Tim Walz by mid-week, as the COVID situation continues to worsen in Minnesota. Govenor Walz said Friday that he's concerned about whether there will be enough hospital care available due to the increase number of health care workers who are either ill and/or quarantined . He and front-line workers are urging Minnesotans to take steps to combat the spread of COVID-19.  There's speculation that the governor could announce additional restrictions on bars and restaurants, beyond the prohibition on in-person service after 10 p-m that began Friday night.  Walz indicated Friday that [...]