DOUGLAS COUNTY, Minn. — A Redwood Falls man was injured in a motorcycle crash on Friday in Douglas County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.  At 11:05 Friday morning, 1992 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Interstate 94 in Orange Township when it lost control and crashed.  The driver of the motorcycle, 31-year-old Brennan Hindermann of Redwood Falls, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Alomere Hospital. Hindermann was wearing a helmet.  Assistance was provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Osakis Police Department, Osakis Fire Department, and North Memorial EMS. 

WATONWAN COUNTY, Minn. — A Butterfield man is dead, and a Butterfield woman is in critical condition following a two-vehicle collision on Saturday in Watonwan County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 10:52 Saturday morning, a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport was traveling southbound on 660th Avenue and a 2023 Peterbilt semi was traveling westbound on highway 60 when the vehicles collided near the intersection. The driver of the Ford, 83-year-old Wayne Gary Hanson of Butterfield, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 83-year-old Zelda Carol Hanson of Butterfield, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to the St. James Hospital. [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota's unemployment rate dipped to 4.4% in May, down one-tenth of a percentage point from April, while the state added 5,400 jobs, according to new figures released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state’s job growth of 0.2% outpaced the national rate of 0.1% for the second consecutive month. Private-sector employers added 5,900 jobs during the month. Leisure and Hospitality led job gains with 2,400 new positions, followed by Construction with 2,100 jobs. Financial Activities posted the largest decline, losing 2,400 jobs. Over the past year, Minnesota added nearly 19,700 jobs, an [...]

LYON COUNTY, Minn. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency is accepting nominations for the 2026 Lyon County Committee election. FSA county committee members help make decisions on how federal farm programs are administered at the local level. According to Lyon County Executive Director Celia Klein, serving on the committee gives producers a voice in local farm program decisions that affect agricultural operations in their communities. This year's election will be held in Local Administrative Area (LAA) No. 1, which includes Amiret, Custer, Lyons, Monroe, Rock Lake, Shelburne and Sodus townships. Eligible agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in [...]

(Undated) — With summer approaching, dermatologists are reminding Minnesotans to protect their skin from excessive sun exposure.  Dr. David Pearson of the University of Minnesota Medical School says Minnesota has one of the highest melanoma rates in the country, partly because people spend long winters covered up before getting intense sun exposure during the warmer months.  "Certain types of skin cancers particularly melanoma are probably more related to intermittent intense sun exposure which is what happens in Minnesota. You know we're one of the leading rates of melanoma in the country and we've covered up all winter and we get a lot of intense sun. We're outside and we want to enjoy it. It's just important [...]

(Undated) -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is warning veterans about a new scam involving fraudulent postcards that claim recipients or their spouses qualify for additional VA benefits, including CHAMPVA, TRICARE, and dental coverage. The VA says the postcards often create a sense of urgency and encourage veterans to call a phone number within a short timeframe. Scammers may falsely claim to be affiliated with the VA and use praise for military service to gain trust before attempting to obtain sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or bank account details. The VA reminds veterans never to share personal [...]

OLIVIA, Minn. — A farm tractor was destroyed by fire Monday afternoon after coming into contact with a power line north of Olivia.  According to the Renville County Sheriff's Office, dispatchers received multiple 911 calls at 1:47 p.m. reporting a tractor fully engulfed in flames in a field along Renville County Road 14, about two miles north of Olivia in Bird Island Township.  When emergency crews arrived, they found the burning tractor connected to an agricultural sprayer, with the sprayer's boom resting on a power line. Authorities said 59-year-old Michael O'Halloran of Olivia had been operating the equipment when the spray boom accidentally struck an [...]

Photo by Thomas Flynn MARSHALL — Marshall Pride celebrated a weekend of events, highlighted by a sold-out drag show and a community festival that drew residents from across the region. According to Julie Walker, co-founder of Marshall Pride and a member of the event's planning committee, the organization's fifth annual drag show sold out once again. Organizers received calls throughout Friday and Saturday from people hoping to purchase tickets, but the event had already reached capacity. Hosted at Brau Brothers Brewing Co., the show featured performers from across Minnesota and received enthusiastic support from attendees. Walker said the audience [...]

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 — Multiple community blood drives are being held across southwest Minnesota today, with dozens of appointments still available for both whole blood and Power Red donations.  Donation events are scheduled today in Ruthton, Redwood Falls, Maynard, Pipestone, and Willmar from noon through early evening.   Whole blood donations, the most common type, take about an hour and provide a pint of blood for patients in need. Power Red donations collect red blood cells while returning most plasma and platelets to the donor and are available to eligible donors with blood types A negative, B negative, or O.  Appointments can be made by [...]

STORDEN, Minn. — A 72-year-old rural Storden man died Thursday evening after becoming trapped inside a grain bin, according to the Cottonwood County Sheriff's Office. Emergency dispatchers received a report at approximately 7:46 p.m. on June 11 that a man was believed to be inside a grain bin on a rural property near Storden but could not be located. First responders arrived and began searching the bin, eventually finding the man buried beneath roughly three feet of corn. Rescue crews worked to remove him from the grain. The victim, identified as William Quade of rural Storden, was transported by ambulance to [...]