NEW YORK  — Agribusiness giant Cargill announced this week that it is cutting approximately 5% of its global workforce, impacting around 8,000 employees. The Minnesota-based food production company, which operates in 70 countries and employs over 160,000 people worldwide, stated the layoffs are part of a broader strategy to realign resources and enhance its long-term impact.  The decision comes amid declining commodity prices in the agricultural sector, following record surges during the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts like Russia’s war in Ukraine. Despite persistent high consumer prices, the shift has put financial strain on food giants, including Cargill, which reported $160 [...]

HENDRICKS -- Two people were injured on Monday in a two-vehicle collision in Lincoln County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 3:22 Monday afternoon, a 2017 Lexus RX was traveling eastbound on State Highway 19 and a 2010 Ford was traveling westbound on State Highway 19. Near the intersection with County Road 127, the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Lexus, 86-year-old Ileen Ness of Hendricks, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Hendricks hospital.  The driver of the Ford, 70-year-old Timothy Harvey of Brookings, SD, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was also taken to the Hendricks hospital.  Assistance [...]

MARSHALL – Food shelves across southwest Minnesota are continuing to see a month-over-month increase in usage from community members. Nicole Knobloch, Food and Nutrition Manager with United Community Action Partnership (UCAP) oversees the food shelves within the program, including locations in Marshall, Tracy, Westbrook, Heron Lake/Okabena, and Worthington.   “Our numbers keep increasing each month. Since the summer, we’ve gone up about 100 families a month just in Marshall.” Knobloch said. “We are seeing in total about 400 to 500 families a month here in Marshall. In all of them, we are seeing quite a bit of increase in families that [...]

Today is Cyber Monday and shoppers are being cautioned about fake websites targeting online buyers. Bao Vang of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota explains:  "A lot of websites out there that are quickly made or can be put up relatively easily will mimic other sites and can steal photos, images, and products from other places.”  Vang advises consumers to stay vigilant, noting that scams tend to spike during this season. She encourages thorough research on both products and sellers before making any purchases. 

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is on the hunt for two new members to join its Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council. Margaret Wagner, representing the department, highlights the program’s importance:  "The Council is a farmer-led program to support soil fertility, research, technology, development, and education. So it's really an investment here in Minnesota to make sure that that type of research continues to advance and support the agricultural community.”  Interested individuals can find more details about the council and the application process on the department’s website.   

MARSHALL -- The Lyon County Historical Society’s Holiday Home Tour takes place Sunday, December 8, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Tickets, available exclusively at the Lyon County Museum, are $20 and include a guidebook with a map and descriptions of featured homes. Participants can enjoy refreshments and holiday exhibits at the museum before or after the tour. Featured homes include those of Jim and Jill Kontz, Jeremy and Polly Parrie, and Curt and Brittany Gosser. Contact 507-537-6580 for more information.

HANLEY FALLS – A Marshall teen was injured on Wednesday after her vehicle collided with a semi on Highway 23 in Yellow Medicine County near Hanley Falls, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 7:03 Wednesday morning, a 2018 Freightliner semi was traveling southbound on Highway 23, and a 2005 Chevy Aveo was traveling northbound on Highway 23 when the vehicles collided near the intersection with 200th Avenue.  The driver of the Chevy, a 16-year-old girl from Marshall, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Granite Falls hospital.  The driver of the Freightliner, 47-year-old Jose Flores Jr of Bellmead, [...]

MARSHALL – A Marshall man was injured after his vehicle collided with a semi on Friday afternoon, according to the Marshall Police Department. At approximately 12:21 Friday afternoon, a 2021 Buick collided with a semi near the intersection of East College Drive and South Bruce Street. The driver of the Buick, a 74-year-old Marshall man, sustained possible minor injuries. The driver of the semi, a 49-year-old South Dakota man was not injured.   A Marshall man was arrested for DWI after a traffic stop on Friday morning, according to the Marshall Police Department. At approximately 1:02 Friday morning, a traffic stop was [...]

Minnesota's freshwater ecosystems are under threat, with excessive chloride pollution largely attributed to inefficient water softeners. Residents can reduce this pollution, save money, and extend the life of their appliances by adjusting how they use salt in water softeners, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Chloride from water softeners doesn’t break down in the environment, making lakes and streams saltier and harmful to aquatic life. It can also seep into groundwater, jeopardizing drinking water supplies. Currently, 68 Minnesota lakes and streams exceed safe chloride levels, and municipal treatment plants struggle to address the issue, which could result in higher [...]

SAINT PAUL – The Minnesota State Canvassing Board has officially certified the results of the 2024 General Election. Meeting on November 21 under the leadership of Secretary of State Steve Simon, the board finalized outcomes for federal, state, and judicial contests, including the presidential race. A record 3,272,414 Minnesotans voted, representing 76.35% of eligible voters. This solidified Minnesota’s position as the national leader in voter turnout, boosted by the restoration of voting rights for over 55,000 individuals previously disenfranchised. “Once again, Minnesotans have proven that we are the state to beat when it comes to voter turnout,” said Secretary Simon. “Elections [...]