SAINT PAUL, MN — A Steele County court on Monday sentenced Jason Lee Horner to 18 years in prison for the May 2023 killing of his former girlfriend, Sabrina Schnoor, in Owatonna. Horner received a total sentence of 216 months after a jury in November convicted him of second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court records, Horner and Schnoor met near Morehouse Park on May 29, 2023, before walking along railroad tracks near Interstate 35. While underneath a highway overpass, Horner shot Schnoor once at close range and fled the scene. Schnoor died from the gunshot wound. [...]

SAINT PAUL, MN — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has won a federal lawsuit blocking cuts to homeland security grant funding that would have reduced Minnesota’s allocation by more than $6.5 million. A U.S. District Court judge ruled Monday that the Trump administration unlawfully reallocated Homeland Security Grant Program funds based in part on states’ immigration enforcement policies. The court ordered the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to restore funding levels previously announced. The disputed cuts were issued days before the end of the federal fiscal year and reduced funding to 12 states by nearly half. Judge Mary McElroy [...]

As winter travel conditions continue across Minnesota, the Minnesota State Patrol is reminding motorists to prepare for emergencies by keeping a winter survival kit in their vehicles. In a recent “Ask a Trooper” column, Sgt. Troy Christianson said a winter travel survival kit should prepare drivers for cold temperatures, isolation and unexpected delays. Even if a kit is kept in a vehicle year-round, he recommended reviewing it regularly to ensure supplies remain in good condition and easy to access. According to the State Patrol, a well-stocked kit should focus on warmth, traction, communication and basic necessities. Items for warmth include extra [...]

NEW ULM — Gov. Tim Walz joined Minnesota National Guard leaders on Monday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the New Ulm National Guard Readiness Center. “This readiness center is more than a building,” said Governor Walz. “It’s where Guard members maintain the skills needed to protect our communities and respond wherever they’re called. I served out of the old site myself and know this upgrade was much needed. The men and women of the 125th will be better equipped to respond, and this facility ensures they’re ready for whatever comes next.” The 40,374-square-foot facility began construction in April [...]

UPDATE: Minneota Man Identified in Fatal Crash SLAYTON, MN — One man is dead, and another man is in critical condition after a two-vehicle accident on Monday in Murray County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At 7:27 Monday morning, a 2014 Freightliner semi was northbound on Highway 59, and a 2022 International straight truck was southbound on Highway 59. The vehicles collided near the intersection with 155th Street.  The roads were icy at the time of the crash. The driver of the International, 61-year-old Michael Arthur Griffin of Tyler, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. The report notes Griffin was not wearing his seat [...]

BALATON, MN — A 30-year-old rural Balaton man was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation and second-degree assault following a hit-and-run crash that injured a pedestrian in Balaton.  According to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, the crash was reported at about 11:20 p.m. Dec. 20 in the 200 block of South Central Avenue. A 31-year-old man suffered minor injuries after being struck by a Ford pickup that fled the scene.  Lyon County deputies and Balaton Ambulance responded, and the victim was taken to Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and released.  Deputies located the vehicle and driver at a [...]

MARSHALL, MN — U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota joined North Dakota Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer in urging the U.S. Postal Service to address ongoing mail delivery delays across the Minnesota–North Dakota Postal District. In a bipartisan letter sent this week to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the senators raised concerns about chronic service disruptions, particularly during the busy holiday and winter season when mail volumes increase and weather conditions can complicate delivery. The senators said their offices regularly receive complaints from constituents about delayed mail, noting that reliable postal service is critical for delivering prescriptions, paychecks [...]

MARSHALL, MN — One man was arrested, and several others could face charges after a report of a burglary on Monday, according to the Marshall Police Department. At 8:18 Monday morning, a burglary was reported at the 500 block of Village Drive. Officers arrested a 19-year-old Marshall male for trespassing, burglary, and domestic assault. A report was forwarded to the attorney for consideration of charges against three men, ages 18, 19, and 28, all from Marshall, that were involved in the incident.

LYON COUNTY, MN — Lyon County will allow deer hunting with rifles beginning with the 2026 deer season after county commissioners voted Tuesday to follow a new state law permitting rifle hunting on public land.  The decision passed on a 3-2 vote during the Lyon County Board meeting, though commissioners were divided and expressed frustration about being required to decide whether to opt out of the state law. Commissioners said they received feedback from residents both supporting and opposing the change from shotgun-only hunting.  Under the new Minnesota law, rifle hunting for deer will be allowed statewide starting in 2026. Counties currently designated as shotgun-only [...]