Minnesota health officials say there are indicators that the delta variant wave is hitting harder than expected following a decline after Thanksgiving.  Officials reported 45 additional COVID-19 related deaths yesterday as the state faces the emergence of the omicron variant in the state.  Governor Tim Walz is continuing to urge people to get vaccinated against the virus, especially children ages five to eleven.  Only 25 percent of Minnesotans in the youngest eligible age group have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

A 75-year-old New Ulm man is injured after he crashed into the median guardrail on Highway 14 eastbound around 11:30 Tuesday morning. According to the State Patrol,  Steven Leske was wearing a seat belt and no alcohol was detected. He has non-life threatening injuries.  North Mankato Police and Mayo Clinic Health System assisted the State Patrol at the scene.

The Minnesota National Guard is gearing up to help long-term care facilities.  Governor Tim Walz announced Monday that he has deployed four-hundred National Guard members to provide support to facilities that are experiencing staff shortages.  Governor Walz says the members, who will train as certified nursing assistants and temporary nursing aides will be sent out over the next seven days.

Governor Tim Walz is running for office again.  On Tuesday, Governor Walz announced his bid for re-election and made his response to COVID-19 the centerpiece of his campaign.  In his video announcement, Walz noted his pandemic record, suggesting that he is a leader who can make "tough calls."  He also spoke on his administration's efforts on the economy, education, and police reform.  The 2022 governor election will be held Tuesday, November 8th.

Traffic-related deaths are on the rise in Minnesota.  The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported Monday that there have been 384 traffic deaths in the Gopher State since the start of the year.  According to reports, that number is a 23% increase from this time last year when traffic fatalities totaled 313.  MDPS says speed was reported as the biggest cause of road deaths this year.  If the numbers continue to rise, Minnesota will have the deadliest year on state roads since 2007.

Governor Tim Walz is ramping up vaccination efforts among children in Minnesota.  On Monday, Governor Walz announced that children who complete their vaccine series before the end of November will receive a 200-dollar Visa gift card and entered in one of five drawings to win a 100-thousand-dollar college scholarship.  According to reports, children ages 12-to-17 are eligible to receive the incentives.  Children have until November 30th to complete their vaccine series for the incentive program.

The holiday season is maybe two months away, but experts are advising shoppers to start making their lists now, due to transportation supply chain issues.  John Hauslauden with the Minnesota Truckers Association says they continue reeling with a shortage of drivers. He says it's important to remember "if you got it, a truck brought it": "Everything that we count on for our quality of life and our very survival spends some time on a truck. Whether it's coming to or from a distribution center, or retail store, delivery to your home, coming from a port. It all spends time on a [...]

The author behind 'Hatchet,' and Minnesota native, Gary Paulsen, is dead.  Publisher Pan Macmillan Children's announced Thursday that Paulsen died suddenly on Wednesday at the age of 82.  Paulsen was born in Minneapolis and graduated from Thief River Falls High School before attending Bemidji State.  He is survived by his wife and son.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is hosting an open house to share the layout for the Highway 60 Lake Crystal reconstruction project. The open house will take place on Wednesday, October 20 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. at the Lake Crystal City Hall (100 East Robinson Street, Lake Crystal). For those unable to attend, the Highway 60 layout can be viewed online at mndot.gov/d7/projects/hwy60lakecrystal/ Staff will be available to answer questions and share overall updates on the project, which is planned for 2025 construction. No formal presentation is planned, and attendees are welcome to arrive anytime. The open house format will [...]