MARSHALL -- Shaun Johnson, lead singer of the a cappella group Tonic Sol-Fa, will perform in Marshall tonight as part of his Big Band Cool Yule Holiday Tour.  The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Schwan Center for the Performing Arts and will feature Johnson alongside a big band composed of musicians from the upper Midwest.  Tickets are available at Marshall Radio, online through Marshall Radio’s Big Deals, and at the door. 

SAINT PAUL – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now offering funding for controlled atmosphere storage facilities through its Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program. This type of storage technology helps extend the shelf life of perishable commodities such as fruits, vegetables, and floriculture products by regulating levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. “Controlled atmosphere storage facilities are used by the produce and floriculture industries here in Minnesota. Our growers can now benefit from having this type of storage facility added to the list of eligible structures for Farm Storage Facility Loans, allowing producers to [...]

MARSHALL -- Fatalities on Minnesota roads are up significantly from last year. Minnesota State Patrol District Investigator Kenny Willers says, “As of December 1st, we’ve had 424 fatalities on our roadways. One of the big things is this is 16% higher than last year. Unbelted fatalities are 39% more this year than they have been in the past.”  Willers noted unbelted motorists are especially a concern in southwest Minnesota, “Especially in southwest Minnesota we see a lower number of people wearing their seat belts and unfortunately that’s effecting them in their everyday driving when they crash." Willers has seen firsthand the life-saving [...]

SAINT PAUL -- Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) officials announced Wednesday that the state’s financial outlook has worsened ahead of the upcoming legislative session. The November 2024 Budget and Economic Forecast projects a $616 million surplus for the FY26-27 biennium, a $1.1 billion drop from prior estimates, attributed to declining income and sales tax revenues and rising expenditures for long-term care and special education.  The state had previously passed a historic $72 billion two-year budget in 2023, fueled by a record $17 billion surplus. However, the new forecast signals a growing structural imbalance, adding complexity to lawmakers’ task of crafting the [...]

WILDER -- A Worthington man is dead after a rollover crash on Wednesday morning in Jackson County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 6:21 Wednesday morning, a 2008 Ford Edge was traveling eastbound on Highway 60 near Wilder when the vehicle lost control and rolled into the south ditch. The State Patrol notes roads were icy at the time of the crash.  The driver of the Ford, 43-year-old Miguel Angel Heredia of Worthington, died from injuries sustained in the accident. The report notes Heredia was not wearing his seatbelt.  Assistance was provided by the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office, Windom [...]

December marks National FAFSA Filing Month, and Minnesota students are urged to apply early for financial aid. Keith Hovis, spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Higher Education, emphasized the importance of filing promptly. "The earlier that you apply for the FAFSA, the earlier you kind of are able to get your financial aid offer from your college. Understanding what financial aid is available to you is a key indicator of whether you enroll or not, or knowing if you can afford college," said Hovis. While FAFSA applications for the Class of 2024 are down 4.8% from last year, with 40,000 applications [...]

Following a string of recent ice rescues across Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging residents to exercise caution on frozen lakes and rivers. Ice Safety Coordinator Nicole Biagi warns that falling through the ice can be deadly. “We do tend to see, on average, about three fatalities per year. Last year, we had six through-the-ice fatalities, which was above average,” Biagi said. While enjoying winter activities on frozen lakes is a beloved pastime, Biagi stresses the importance of preparation and safety. “Most water bodies around the state just don’t have enough ice yet for people to be walking [...]

MARSHALL — Residents of Lyon County are being called upon to help shape the county’s approach to handling emergencies like tornadoes, floods, and blizzards.  Lyon County Emergency Management has opened its 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan for public review and comment through Dec. 17. The plan, which identifies strategies to reduce risks to life and property, can be accessed on an interactive website at Lyon County HMP Hub.  Developed with the University of Minnesota Duluth and input from local governments and stakeholders, the plan highlights high-priority risks such as severe weather and winter storms. The website features data on county hazards, emergency [...]

MARSHALL — The Lyon County landfill may soon test innovative methods to tackle “forever chemicals” in landfill runoff, as county commissioners approved applying for a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency PFAS treatment grant on Tuesday.  The $500,000 grant could fund a pilot project using landfill-generated gas to evaporate leachate, a liquid formed by rainwater mixing with decomposing waste. The process aims to concentrate or remove PFAS — manmade chemicals resistant to environmental breakdown and linked to groundwater contamination.  The grant would cover equipment rental and infrastructure upgrades, including leachate transport pipes and gas redirection. A 10% local funding match is required.  Commissioners [...]

A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz is currently up for auction through Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas. The shoes were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005 while on loan from a California collector and were recovered by the FBI in 2018.  The Judy Garland Museum has been raising funds to acquire the slippers for permanent display. The state of Minnesota contributed $100,000 to the effort, and additional funds were raised during the museum’s annual festival. The auction, which began online, will conclude with in-person bidding on Saturday.