MARSHALL, MN — United Way of Southwest Minnesota is seeking volunteer readers for Jumpstart’s annual Read for the Record event on February 26,  a nationwide reading celebration that highlights the importance of quality early childhood education.  Read for the Record will attempt to set a global record for the largest shared reading experience. Over the past 20 years, more than 30 million people have participated nationwide. Locally, more than 1,100 volunteers have read to over 26,000 children during the past 11 years. UWSWMN coordinates the event across elementary schools (kindergarten through second grade), preschools, childcare centers, and libraries in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine, and parts [...]

MARSHALL, MN — The campaign season moved into its next phase following Tuesday night’s precinct caucuses across Minnesota, where voters gathered to select delegates and signal early preferences in several high-profile races. DFL Chairman Richard Carlbom said the caucuses marked the first step toward party endorsements later this spring. “You know our state convention will be in Rochester, Minnesota at the end of May. And so the road to Rochester launches for all these candidates whether you're running for the U-S Senate, the state auditor's race, the governor's race.” The DFL and GOP state conventions are scheduled for May 29–31. Democrats [...]

SAINT JAMES, Minn. — Chris Knoll, CEO of Minnewaska Community Health Services, has announced his candidacy for the Minnesota State Senate in District 21.   Knoll is seeking the Republican Party endorsement. He said District 21 needs continued conservative representation at the Capitol.  Knoll said, “Our region deserves representation that protects rural healthcare, strengthens public safety, supports strong schools, defends constitutional rights, and champions agriculture and small business,”   Knoll lives in St. James with his wife, Amanda, and their family. He leads Minnewaska Community Health Services, a faith-based nonprofit senior care provider. His experience includes healthcare leadership, nonprofit management, and work on public policy [...]

PORTER, Minn. — Lincoln County farmer Krist Wollum has announced plans to run for the Minnesota Senate in District 21, the seat being vacated by Sen. Bill Weber, R-Luverne, who is retiring this fall.  Wollum is a grain and cattle farmer from rural Porter and serves as legislative chair of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association. A fourth-generation farmer, he has worked on his family’s farm since 1992 and remains active in agricultural advocacy. His community involvement includes service on the Marble Township board of supervisors and leadership roles within the cattlemen’s association, where he previously served as president.  Wollum said his campaign will focus on representing rural [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes says several major construction projects are planned across the city in 2026, highlighted by a full reconstruction of Highway 19.  “The first and probably most visible would be the completion of the Highway 19 project,” Byrnes said. Work is expected to begin in the spring, weather permitting, and will run from the Main Street and Highway 59 intersection near Memorial Park east to Bruce Street by the Kwik Trip intersection. The project includes removing and replacing the roadway and all underground infrastructure, including sanitary and storm sewer systems and water lines.  “This is a project that [...]

TRACY, Minn. — A Lyon County court has sentenced Darin Lee Horner to 364 days in jail and five years of probation for theft by swindle tied to multiple customer complaints in Tracy. Horner pleaded guilty in August 2025 to two counts of theft by swindle after admitting he took money from customers between 2017 and 2019 without ordering or delivering the appliances they purchased. Court records say the money was instead used for other purposes, including deposits to Horner’s personal account to make house payments.  Horner operated Affordable Appliance Plus in Tracy until May 1, 2019. Dozens of customers paid for appliances they [...]