MARSHALL — Dr. David Jones has been approved by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees as the 11th permanent president of Southwest Minnesota State University, following seven months serving in the interim role. “I couldn’t be more thrilled,” Jones said of stepping into the position permanently. After spending months learning the campus and community, he said applying for the role was “a pretty easy decision.” Jones and his wife have found Marshall welcoming and full of promise. “To know that the title has shifted from interim to president feels really good,” he said, adding that the permanence allows the university to [...]

SAINT PAUL, MN — Governor Tim Walz on Thursday announced a legislative package designed to strengthen fraud prevention, detection and enforcement across Minnesota state programs. Walz introduced the proposal in St. Paul alongside Department of Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi, DHS Inspector General James Clark and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. The proposal builds on previous actions taken by the administration, including the creation of the BCA’s Financial Crimes and Fraud Section, the appointment of a statewide Director of Program Integrity and executive orders directing agencies to address fraud. The plan also incorporates recommendations from independent experts and [...]

TYLER — A Tyler man is facing child pornography charges in South Dakota following an investigation that led to his arrest Friday. According to a criminal complaint filed in Lincoln County Circuit Court, Zane Ryan Schuur, 21, has been charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography. An affidavit filed in the case alleges that Lennox Police Department requested to search Schuur’s cell phone during an investigation into a reported sexual assault in Lennox. Investigators allegedly discovered more than 2,000 files containing child pornography images and videos on the device. The affidavit further alleges that artificial intelligence software appeared to [...]

HECTOR, MN — A Springfield boy was injured in a two-vehicle collision near Hector on Friday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 9:13 Friday evening, a 2019 Chevy Equinox was traveling south on Highway 4, and a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was traveling north on Highway 4 when the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Chevy, 40-year-old Jay Anderson of Springfield, was not injured. His passenger, a seven-year-old boy from Springfield, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Anderson and his passenger were taken to the Olivia hospital.  The driver of the Hyundai, a 17-year-old, with no hometown reported by the Minnesota State Patrol, and their [...]

HANLEY FALLS, MN — Four people were injured, including an infant child, in a two-vehicle collision on State Highway 23 near Hanley Falls in Yellow Medicine County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 10:03 Saturday evening, a 2006 Ford F-150 was traveling eastbound on County Road 18, and a 2012 Kia Sorento was traveling northbound on State Highway 23 when the vehicles collided at the intersection.  The driver of the Ford, 21-year-old Isabella Schultz of Franklin, and her passenger, an infant boy, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the Granite Falls hospital.   The driver of the Kia, 24-year-old Edwin Canales and his passenger, 18-year-old Wendy Canalesmairena, both of [...]

Farmer out standing in his field. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for its new Farm to Food Security Grant program, a state-funded initiative designed to increase access to locally grown food for Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity. Established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2025, the program is modeled after the former federal Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. It supports projects that purchase Minnesota-grown foods, including produce, meats, and other minimally processed or processed foods made with at least one primary ingredient that is 80% grown or raised in the state, and distribute them within Minnesota. Eligible [...]

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has reached a settlement with a Minnesota-based transportation company after finding the company discriminated against and fired an employee because of his race and national origin. The department is not naming the company or the employee to protect the individual’s identity during what it described as a time of heightened threats toward immigrants. Under the agreement, the company will pay the former employee $180,000 and implement changes to strengthen its anti-discrimination policies and reporting procedures. The company must enhance anti-harassment training, improve reporting protocols, and log and share discrimination complaints with the department. An investigation [...]

SAINT PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Historical Society has awarded $2 million in grants to eight communities across the state through its Commemorative Statues, Memorials, and Historic Preservation (CSMHP) program, with Marshall receiving the second largest share. The City of Marshall was awarded $498,000 to hire qualified professionals to replace the existing bandshell at Liberty Park with a new design that meets modern codes and community needs. In Fairmont, Fairmont Opera House, Inc. received $168,000 to prepare construction documents for preserving the 1901 Fairmont Opera House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other grant recipients include 5501 [...]

SAINT PAUL, MN — The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has appointed David Jones as president of Southwest Minnesota State University, effectiveimmediately. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson said Jones’ background in enrollment management and student affairs aligns with the university’s current needs.  “We are facing challenging budget times in higher education and David brings an extensive background in enrollment growth and student affairs that will serve the Southwest Minnesota State University community well at this moment,” Olson said. “He cares deeply about institutions in greater Minnesota and has a strong vision for what SMSU can be [...]