SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Fairgoers can have their voices heard on issues facing Minnesota through political polling at the Minnesota House of Representatives booth in the Education Building at the State Fair.  Representative Rick Hansen says staff are also answering questions from fairgoers. One topic drawing attention is a proposed constitutional amendment involving the permanent school trust fund.  "We’ve had some questions about the Constitutional Amendment on increasing the percentage on the permanent public school trust fund so I think that’s new for maybe many new voters so we’ve been describing how that was unanimous in both houses, it’s bipartisan. It doesn’t cost anything. That’s [...]

WELLS, Minn. — A southern Minnesota man is dead and two boys are seriously injured following a tractor rollover near Wells.  The Faribault County Sheriff’s Office says 48-year-old Timothy Steinborn of Walters was driving an Oliver tractor Tuesday with two boys, ages eight and ten, when the tractor entered a steep roadside ditch at an angle and overturned.  All three were trapped beneath the tractor. Steinborn died at the scene. Emergency crews rescued the boys, who were airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester with serious injuries.  The crash remains under investigation. 

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Two people and the suspected gunman are dead following a shooting at an apartment building near Loring Park in Minneapolis Wednesday afternoon. Six others were injured, including three Minneapolis police officers. Interim Minneapolis Police Chief Bill Peterson says officers entered the building, found victims and followed the sound of gunfire to an upper floor. Officers encountered a haze that significantly limited their visibility before exchanging gunfire with the suspect. “On that floor, officers encountered a haze that significantly limited their visibility. Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Three officers were injured. Two of them were injured by gunfire,” [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — Lyon County commissioners are working to bring the proposed 2027 property tax levy increase down to 10.9%.  During about an hour of budget discussion Tuesday, commissioners approved using several sources of existing county revenue to offset expenses. The board unanimously agreed to use $86,670 in annual riparian aid funding for planning and zoning costs.   Commissioners also approved using $135,000 in 2027 wind and solar production tax revenue to offset general fund operating expenses.  Other potential budget reductions include lowering the county's contribution to the Marshall-Lyon County Library system.  Commissioners are expected to continue reviewing potential cuts and funding changes before setting the preliminary [...]

SACRED HEART, Minn. -- Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday evening in Renville County. The Minnesota State Patrol says a 2003 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Ford Explorer were both westbound on Highway 212 near County Road 12 in Sacred Heart Township when they collided as the Explorer was making a turn. The Camry driver, 42-year-old Teresa Lee Abernathy of Sacred Heart, was taken to North Memorial Hospital. The Explorer driver, 60-year-old Carrie Lee Jeseritz of Wood Lake, was taken to Granite Falls Hospital. Assistance was provided by the Renville County Sheriff's Office, Sacred Heart MRU, Sacred [...]

HANSKA, Minn. — Two Hanska residents are dead and another Hanska woman is facing two counts of criminal vehicular homicide following a two-vehicle crash early Saturday. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the crash shortly after midnight on Brown County Road 13, just north of County Road 22, about four miles north of Hanska. Deputies found a heavily damaged Chevy Silverado and Oldsmobile at the scene. The two occupants of the Oldsmobile, 73-year-old Paul Rewitzer and 74-year-old Paulette Rewitzer, both of Hanska, were pronounced dead. The Silverado driver, 28-year-old Shianne Lee Escobar of Hanska, was outside the vehicle. [...]

COTTONWOOD, Minn. — A Wood Lake motorcyclist was injured in a two-vehicle collision on Monday near Cottonwood. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, at approximately 5:52 Monday morning, 2015 Harley Davidson Dyna Low Rider was traveling southbound on Highway 23 and a 2022 Chevy Equinox was traveling northbound on Highway 23. Near the intersection with County Road 10, the vehicles collided. The motorcyclist, 27-year-old Cody Dean Cleveland of Wood Lake, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Avera Marshall Hospital. The driver of the Chevy, a 16-year-old girl from Vesta, was not injured. The State Patrol notes Cleveland wasn't wearing [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — Tanya Moat is the new chief executive officer of the United Way of Southwest Minnesota, following a leadership search conducted after former CEO Meg Louwagie resigned in April. Moat previously served as the organization’s Community Impact and Internal Programs coordinator. She officially accepted the CEO position about a week ago. “It is a great privilege and I'm really excited to lead the United Way,” Moat said. “We have a lot of great things coming up.” Moat said she is looking forward to continuing the organization’s work in southwest Minnesota while building relationships with donors, volunteers and community partners. [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at all state buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor and remembrance of Dolly Parton.  The order took effect immediately and will remain in place until sunrise Sept. 1, following a proclamation from President Donald Trump.  Walz encouraged individuals, businesses and other organizations to also lower their flags to honor Parton’s life and legacy. The singer, songwriter and philanthropist died recently at the age of 80. View the entire proclamation below: