REDWOOD FALLS, Minn.—The University of Minnesota will recognize 86 families from across the state during its annual Farm Family of the Year ceremony, set for 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Gilfillan Estate during Minnesota Farmfest. The honorees represent a wide range of agricultural operations from traditional livestock and crop farms to specialty producers of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Each family was selected by local University of Minnesota Extension committees for their dedication to agriculture and community impact. A full list of the 2025 honorees is available at z.umn.edu/farm-families-2025.

RENVILLE, Minn.—Renville County has purchased an 11-unit apartment complex in the City of Renville to expand local child care and workforce housing options. The building, now named The West Wing, was acquired by the Renville County Housing and Redevelopment Authority/Economic Development Authority (HRA/EDA) as part of ongoing efforts to address two pressing community needs. Four of the units will be converted for use by licensed family child care providers, offering space for them to operate outside their homes. A $345,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will support the child care portion of the project, with the [...]

WILLMAR, Minn.—A pavement marking project on portions of Highways 23 and 7 is now complete, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced.  The work, part of MnDOT’s regular maintenance cycle, included the installation of centerline rumble strips and in-ground wet reflective striping to enhance nighttime and wet-weather visibility. The four-lane section of Highway 23 south of Marshall also received shoulder rumble strips.  Updated segments include:  Highway 23 from north of Marshall to south of Cottonwood  Highway 23 from Russell to Marshall  Highway 7 from Montevideo to Clara City  The improvements are designed to increase safety by helping drivers maintain lane position. The [...]

MARSHALL—A Florence man has been charged with first-degree arson in connection with a house fire that occurred Monday morning.  29-year-old Moises Reyes was charged Tuesday in Lyon County District Court after allegedly setting fire to his mother’s home on Harrison Avenue in Florence. Fire departments from multiple jurisdictions responded to the scene around 8:20 a.m. Reyes was the only person at the residence at the time of the fire. Reyes initially told investigators he had been working outside when he noticed smoke coming from the house. He claimed he tried to put out the flames. However, under further questioning, Reyes admitted he [...]

MILROY, Minn.—A man died Wednesday morning after becoming trapped in a grain bin in rural Redwood County.  The Redwood County Sheriff's Office said it received a report at 9:33 a.m. on July 16 about a person trapped inside a grain bin in the 13000 block of Minnesota Highway 19. Emergency crews responded, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:19 a.m.  His identity will be released at a later date.  Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including fire departments from Milroy, Wabasso, Redwood Falls, Vesta, Tracy, and Marshall, as well as Milroy First Responders, Wabasso and CentraCare Ambulance [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn.—As families stock up on school supplies, the Minnesota Department of Revenue is urging parents to save their receipts for potential K-12 tax benefits. Spokesman Ryan Broman says there are two valuable education-related tax breaks available. "The K-12 educational credit does have income limitations, but subtraction does not, and most parents will qualify for that subtraction if they don't qualify for the credit." Most expenses related to educational instruction or materials are eligible. "Things like pens, notebooks, papers, textbooks. If you're renting or purchasing educational equipment or musical instruments, those also qualify. Computer hardware and software, as well as [...]

MARSHALL—A renewable fuel tax credit set to expire in 2027 will now continue through 2029, thanks to a provision in the federal budget bill signed by President Trump. The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association says the extension of the Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit could provide significant benefits to local producers. Executive Director Brian Werner said, “Through the end of 2029. And so that's a good thing because that gives up to a dollar a gallon in ten-cent increments to biofuels that have lower emissions than gasoline.” The credit, created by the Inflation Reduction Act, offers incentives based on emissions reductions compared to [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn.—Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and two states in suing the Trump Administration over what they call an unlawful and unconstitutional freeze of $6.8 billion in federal education funding. More than $70 million in funding for Minnesota schools is at stake. The lawsuit challenges the U.S. Department of Education’s sudden decision to halt funds for six longstanding federal education programs just weeks before the new school year. According to the suit, the freeze violates federal law and the Constitution by bypassing Congress’s authority to appropriate funding. "Donald Trump’s Department of Education [...]

Stillwater Prison - Photo from mn.gov STILLWATER, Minn.—The Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater will be phased out over the next four years, with full closure expected by 2029. Governor Tim Walz included the decision in the recently announced state budget, citing the high cost of maintaining the 111-year-old facility. Republican Senator Michael Kreun of Blaine says he was caught off guard by the move. "Down the road at some point, if we want to get tougher on public safety in this state, we're not going to have anywhere to send people. This is really a problem that they thrust [...]

COTTONWOOD, Minn.—On Friday at 8:38 in the evening, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a two-vehicle collision near the intersection of County Road 9 and County Road 22 near Cottonwood. A 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle being driven by a 55-year-old Balaton man was traveling southbound on County Road 9. A 2014 Kia Forte being driven by a 49-year-old Cottonwood woman was stopped at a stop sign in the southbound lane of County Road 9 when the Kawasaki rear-ended the Kia.  The Balaton man sustained serious injuries and was transported to the Avera Marshall Hospital. The Cottonwood woman [...]