The Pipestone County Historical Society will host a series of cemetery walking tours this summer, offering residents a chance to explore local history through stories of pioneers, veterans and gravestone symbolism. Tours will be held at 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month from June through September: June 13: Ruthton Cemetery, 2319 180th Ave., Ruthton July 11: Woodstock Cemetery, 1793 101st St., Woodstock Aug. 8: Hillside Cemetery, 505 7th Ave., Edgerton Sept. 12: Potter’s Field, Old Woodlawn Cemetery, northwest corner, 676 116th St., Pipestone Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for Historical Society members and free for children 12 [...]

Health officials are reminding backyard poultry owners to take precautions to reduce the risk of salmonella infections. Since January, 184 salmonella cases tied to backyard poultry have been reported across 31 states, including Minnesota. Researchers with the University of Minnesota, working with the Minnesota Department of Health and Board of Animal Health, say up to 75% of chick shipments to farm stores may carry salmonella bacteria. Officials say poultry can carry the bacteria without appearing sick, making proper hygiene important when handling birds, eggs, or coop equipment. Symptoms of salmonella infection can include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and dehydration. Young children, older [...]

ATWATER, Minn. — A two-vehicle crash in Kandiyohi County Monday afternoon sent two people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash happened at about 2:20 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 12 and 150th Street in Gennessee Township. Authorities say a Jeep Renegade driven by 21-year-old Chloe Louwagie of Cottonwood was traveling south on 150th Street when it collided with an eastbound Acura MDX on Highway 12.  The driver of the Acura, 76-year-old Charles Schadt of Palmdale, California, and passenger 69-year-old Marcella Kimbrell of Palmdale suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Willmar Hospital. Louwagie was not injured.  [...]

MARSHALL — A new Minnesota law is changing how assisted living and nursing home facilities can serve alcohol, allowing them to offer it without obtaining a full liquor license. Supporters say the measure is designed to improve daily life and expand personal choice for residents. LeadingAge Minnesota Vice President of Advocacy Erin Huppert says the law reflects the idea that care facilities are also residents’ homes. "This is where residents live. It's their home. It's not a dining establishment. It's not, you know, a restaurant. This is where they are choosing to live. And so they should be allowed to enjoy [...]

SAINT PAUL — The Minnesota State Board of Trustees approved a fiscal year 2027 operating budget Wednesday that includes an average undergraduate tuition increase of 6.25% across the system’s 33 colleges and universities. The increase will raise annual tuition costs by an average of $357 at colleges and $578 at universities. Average full-time undergraduate tuition will total about $6,074 at Minnesota State colleges and $9,827 at universities before scholarships and grants. Minnesota State officials said the increase comes as the system faces rising costs for technology, maintenance and salaries while receiving no new operational funding from the Legislature during the 2025 [...]

MARSHALL — State Senator Gary Dahms has announced a series of town hall meetings across southwest Minnesota this month alongside State Representatives Chris Swedzinski and Paul Torkelson. Town hall meetings with Swedzinski will take place Thursday, May 21, beginning in Tracy from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. at Tracy City Hall Council Chambers, 336 Morgan Street. The group will then stop in Marshall from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at the YMCA, 200 South A Street, in an event sponsored by the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce. Additional stops include Minneota from 10:20 to 11:00 a.m. at City Hall, 129 East 1st Street; [...]

MINNEAPOLIS — National Football League officials announced Minneapolis will host the 2028 NFL Draft. The draft is traditionally held during the last week of April. Minnesota Sports and Events President and CEO Wendy Blackshaw said organizers are confident the Twin Cities can match the large crowds seen at recent drafts, including the estimated 800,000 fans who attended in Pittsburgh last month. “Every draft is different. Every draft, you make it unique for your city, and we do not know what the footprint is yet, but we are working with the NFL to figure that out,” Blackshaw said. “I mean, Pittsburgh had [...]

MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota State University and several southwest Minnesota communities are set to receive funding through Minnesota’s newly approved $1.2 billion bonding bill. SMSU was awarded $1.2 million for facilities projects involving locker rooms, the gymnasium and the university’s athletics dome structure. University officials said the funding will support long-needed updates to athletic facilities. The bonding bill also includes infrastructure funding for several area communities. Ghent will receive $3 million for water infrastructure improvements, while Russell was awarded $1 million for the next phase of its water and sewer system upgrades. Lake Benton will receive $863,000 for public infrastructure projects. [...]

WALNUT GROVE — Students at Westbrook-Walnut Grove Elementary are celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with patriotic projects, activities and a community parade this week.  On Thursday, kindergarten through sixth grade students will march in a 250th anniversary parade starting at 2 p.m. at the elementary school and traveling down Main Street in Walnut Grove. A short musical program will follow, and the public is invited to attend.  Students have spent the spring learning about American history and creating patriotic art, decorations and quilts. Staff said younger students will ride in decorated wagons pulled by older siblings during the parade, with teachers and community members [...]

MINNEAPOLIS — The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has charged an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in connection with the January shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis.  According to prosecutors, ICE agent Christian Castro, 52, faces four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime stemming from the Jan. 14 incident.  The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office alleged Castro fired his weapon through the front door of a home after several people ran inside. Prosecutors said the bullet struck Sosa-Celis in the leg before lodging in the wall of a child’s bedroom.  The charges state Castro was standing [...]